Some time last year, I came upon this concept of using an exfoliating toner and chemical exfoliators. I started out using the Alpha-H Liquid Gold which I still use today, but I also read about how using a gentle exfoliating toner daily helps our skin cells turn over more quickly which generally means, better looking skin. So I went on my quest to find these “exfoliating toners” and it so happened that it was about this time that Hada Labo made available their Mild Peeling Lotion.
I spotted it at a Guardian pharmacy going at a promotional discount and picked it up to see how my skin would fare with it. It is called a Mild Peeling Lotion but essentially what this is, is a chemical exfoliating lotion. A very gentle one, but do note that it comes with its attendant precautions.
Hada Labo places this under the Tamagohada range which those of you familiar with Hada Labo will remember, consists of the popular AHA/BHA cleanser. I don’t deny the cleanser is a good one – friends love it! But I personally find it drying if used daily and it played merry hell with my sensitive hands. This lotion is its complementary product and it is at this point that I should pause for a moment to address the questions if this is a “toner” 😛
Short answer – yes. If your understanding of “toner” is that product that you use after cleansing and before your serums and moisturisers. In which case I know what you’re thinking “I don’t use toner. It’s a waste of money. Why do I need it?” In which case, read the long answer 😛
Long answer – not quite a toner. What this Mild Peeling Lotion is, is a gentle chemical exfoliating lotion. You use it after cleansing and before anything else and it serves the purpose of gently loosening and removing the top layer of dead cells on our skin, which helps skin turn around more quickly, and improve on dullness.
The active ingredient is Gluconic Acid which is a naturally occuring acid in fruits, honey and wine. I don’t know enough of the science behind this since I’m not chemically trained so I’ll just tell you how I found this product.
The product is a clear liquid, much like water that comes in a handy flip top bottle. All you do is saturate a cotton pad and run it over your face, after you have cleansed and you can use this twice a day.
Used twice a day, I find it too drying for my combination-dry skin. I have spoken to people who have oily skin and they report good results which is why as with all skincare, mileage varies. What I do therefore, is use this only in the evenings on my non-Liquid Gold days. If I don’t use Liquid Gold, then I use this once a day on alternate days which suits my skin.
I don’t find that it leaves my skin tight after using nor uncomfortable and when I’m diligent with it, I do reap results as my skin does look better and clearer and feels smoother.
Hada Labo does recommend that you follow up with their Super Hyaluronic Acid lotion which I don’t use right now, but I do follow up with a hydrating toner or hydrating floral water. It drenches my skin with moisture and serves as a nice medium for the rest of my serums to go on. We do know after all that it’s optimum to apply skincare on damp skin for better absorption right? 🙂
Is it all too much? No, but it is a lot and some people will just find it too tedious.
Can you just apply this and follow on with serum and moisturiser? Yes you can.
Can you just apply this and nothing else? If you feel comfortable, I don’t see why not although I wouldn’t do it too regularly.
Can you use this daily? Yes you can, but listen to your skin. If it feels tight, cut back to once a day, or on alternate days. If you have oily skin then maybe you can use it daily but start with just once a day and build it up from there. Dry skins can use this too but it makes it more comfortable to follow up with a hydrating lotion or spray.
Is this even necessary? Well, I can say that since I’ve started using an exfoliating toner (I am now using one from REN) I do notice benefits to my skin. It helps unclog pores, brighten and smoothen skin and help products absorb better. So yes, I find this necessary because I now subscribe to this school of thought. Naturally, opinions will differ so you’ll have to make up your own mind 🙂
In a nutshell
The Hada Labo Mild Peeling Lotion is a gentle exfoliating toner that you use after cleansing and before serum and moisturiser. It serves to gently exfoliate the top layer of your dead skin cells and promote brighter skin. I don’t find this drying on its own, but when I use this twice a day everyday, I find it too drying for my combination-dry skin. I use this once a day, or once every alternate day and it feels comfortable and to me, helps my skin look better. Whether you take to this depends on how you feel about using a product like a “toner”. I can’t say everyone will take to it but I like how there is an affordable option for anyone wanting to try the concept of an exfoliating toner
Pros: Affordable, Not drying (unless you have very dry skin then you may experience dryness), Easy to use, Effective to make skin look and feel better and smoother with prolonged use
Cons: Dry skins will feel that it is too drying if used too often
Who will like this: Anyone who wants to try an exfoliating lotion at an affordable price
Here is the ingredient list for the Mild Peeling Lotion.
Remember. As this product helps exfoliate skin ALWAYS USE A SUNSCREEN in the day time. But then you already do right? RIGHT?! 😛
Have you tried this lotion and if you have, do you like it? Do you use an exfoliating lotion or toner?
I’ve been using this off and on for something like 5 months or so now, and a bottle can last quite a while. I personally find it takes a while to see results but I like it and especially more so when I combine it with hydrating lotions and serums. Makes my skin feel and look plumped up and smooth! 😀
Paris B
Hada Labo Mild Peeling Lotion Price: RM49.90/170ml or look for discounts Availability: Most major pharmacies but if you can’t find it look in Guardian pharmacy
I haven’t used this product yet, but I have been using Alpha-H Liquid Gold for a while, and it does help soften my skin. However, the high alcohol content stings and leaves my skin dry, so I’m thinking of using a more gentle exfoliating toner after using up my current bottle of Liquid Gold.
I might purchase Pixi Glow Tonic next (recommended by Caroline Hirons) because it’s more readily available here — but I’m definitely adding this to my list!
I want to try the Pixi Glow Tonic too! As well as P50 both recommended by Ms. Hirons but I can’t find them online 🙁 my skin is fine with Liquid Gold but I try to use a lighter exfoliating lotion on in-between days. Ren Clarifying lotion isn’t bad too! And no alcohol I believe
I’m using Retin-A 2-3 times a week, so I’m only using Liquid Gold on alternate days. Pixi Glow Tonic is more gentle, but I think both Glow Tonic and LG have 5% glycolic acid, so hopefully it’ll be equally effective. It’s just come to the US recently. A few months ago, I almost gave in and order a bottle from the UK. ^^
Ooh, I’ll put Ren on my list, too. It’s actually easier to purchase for me. 🙂
I’m going to hunt down that Pixi Glow! LOL I do quite like the REN. I feel the effects are more visible more quickly and I don’t use very much each time especially since I use it on alternate days anyway! I’ve been using it twice a day without feeling any tightness too so fingers crossed it’ll work!
Ah, I haven’t opened this one yet. I need to get to it soon. We have different skin types, so I wonder how it works on my skin…
Will be interesting to know. I seem to recall that you have Oilier skin so you may find the twice a day routine suits your skin 🙂 its so far so good for me which is of course good for the bank balance
I was looking for something like this… might give it a try. By the way, where were you able to get REN and Alpha-H products here in MY?
You can get REN at Kens Apothecary. They have stores in Bangsar Village 2, 1 Utama and Empire Shopping Gallery. As for Alpha-H its not available here so I get it online. I’ve listed some stores in my review post.
I’ve been using a glycolic and lactic acid toner for awhile now, but since lately my skin is as dry as the Sahara, I’ve switched over to a mandelic acid one which is gentler and also reduces redness (which is my main concern). Dr Wu does a combination glycolic + mandelic acid toner, but I haven’t tried it out.
I do like the daily 6% mandelic acid serum and the lotion (which is gentler and less drying). I’m on derm’s orders to stop my retinol serum for the moment, so I am relying on these products to get all the surface dead skin to hurry up and fall off! My skin gets flaky even after applying sunscreen (Shiseido’s Perfect UV: must be the vehicle that doesn’t sit pretty on dry flaky skin).
Gosh, you know your acids! 🙂 I hope your skin clears up soon! Its helpful that you have a reliable derm on hand to tell you what you should be doing 🙂
Heehee, yayy my skin appears to be going back to normal now. Past 2 weeks of uber dry, bumpy and easily irritated skin were no fun. I seem to be able to tackle the flakes by layering the Multi-Defense protector underneath the Perfect UV.
Kate of Drivel About Frivol had excellent results with mandelic acid, and her skin is also very dry and sensitive. Her freckles have completely vanished!
Oh yay for recovering skin! 😀 Did you know what was wrong? I’m going to do some research on mandelic acid. I’d love to lighten some of my pigmentation, but I’m not terribly keen on whitening products in general.
I think the facial wash I switched to (because my current one was on hold for production) was too drying. And the 18% mandelic acid solution I was using, was drying too (and I used it too frequently for my skin). So that combined, made my skin very dry.
You should totally check out Kate’s results. Seriously very impressive. She used vitamin C, mandelic acid and some arbutin, along with heavy-duty sunscreen. I did try the Ducray sunscreen she recommends, but I find all Tinosorb M sunscreens very difficult to rub in completely. Am still trying to make it work!
http://drivelaboutfrivol.blogspot.sg/2014/02/skincare-for-pigmentation-haba-and-dr-wu.html
Thanks for the link! I’ll check it out and her results are stunning! Will definitely do some research. I’m thinking of trying some Vitamin C serum too but it’s not easy finding a good (affordable) one
Ahhhh… I love your reviews on Hada Labo products. Makes me wanna run out and buy EVERY SINGLE ONE of them. 😀
Lol! But I don’t like them all! 😛
Caroline Hirons is always recommending using an acid toner before your hydrating toner as part of her beauty regime. I am torn between this one and the Clarins one. I asked another blogger who reviewed both products and she said if I want a brightening effect, I should used the Clarins one. Does the Hada Labo one give a brightening effect as well? Of course this one is way cheaper than Clarins as the latter is retailing for RM152 for 200 ml.
Sorry, the Clarins one is RM152 for 125 ml 🙂
Yep! I got into the acid toner thing after reading Caroline Hirons and it really does help my skin! I do make sure I follow up with a hydrating toner/lotion and a hydrating serum but its great. I haven’t tried Clarins (name change! I asked and we don’t get the same one as the one overseas that’s recommended) so I can’t comment on it. This Hada also one doesn’t brighten in a sense, but keeps my skin smooth. I actually like the REN Clarifying lotion. Works more quickly than Hada Labo but if you don’t mind waiting for results then the HL one isn’t bad.
This is news to me! It’s great that there’s an affordable exfoliating toner. Hada Labo is definitely stepping up their game.
I just started using Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid. This is my attempt to deal with my stubborn clogged pores on my nose and chin.
Is the Paula’s Choice working for you? I’ve heard a lot about her skincare but never tried it myself.
Can’t say for sure yet. It has only been 2 weeks. There’s the initial smooth-skin-effect,but I’m more interested to see if it can curb with my super clogged nose and chin. Will report back. 😉
This is my first time using Paula’s Choice too. Apparently, the 2% BHA Liquid is their best seller.
I use this about 3x a week. When I first got it, I used it daily but it can get drying. I like this toner and my face feels cleaner after use. Oh ya, this doesn’t travel well. Nearly half of my bottle leaked out when I took it back to hubby’s hometown over CNY. And the cap was shut the whole time.
Oh yikes! Thanks for the warning! I took it back home too but it was fine? That’s the problem sometimes with flip tops right? I prefer screw tops for this reason.
Very good article ! I’ll give it a try I think !
I have a question, which exfoliating toner do you use from Ren ? I’m interested :p
I use the REN Clarifying lotion.
Gotta admit that I squeal with delight at the mention of Hada Labo and more so, when reviewed in MWS. Lately I am into this peeling and exfoliation regime. The REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask has caused redness on my skin lately, perhaps I have left it on for too long…Since this Hada Labo one is easy on the pocket and Hada Labo almost never fail me, I’d quickly run to Guardian to grab one. Thanks for the review Paris. You make my day!
Haha glad to be reviewing one of your fave brands, Jennifer 🙂 Be artful with the REN Glycolactic mask. It has a rather short shelf life so is be careful to c
Watch the expiry date. If you do get this one, I hope it works for you. I find its better paired with a hydrating lotion after that. Skin will feel much more comfortable 🙂
I’m using Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Lotion 2-3 times a week. It can be quite drying if I use it daily. I like to use it how you use your Alpha Liquid Gold, as i find it works better without my usual skincare products. A quick question though, in the post above you mentioned that you use this with your usual daily routine and alpha gold on other days.. wouldn’t you be over exfoliating if you use such toners every day? Would it result in thinning of the skin? or is that just a myth? 😛
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Paula’s Choice being good for acne. I wish I’d learned of it back in the day when I was really plagued by it instead of having to endure the scarring now. Ah well, hindsight is always 20/20 isn’t it? 🙂 I don’t find it over exfoliating as I opt for mild exfoliating lotions on the in-between days. Also I personally don’t believe that Liquid Gold is as potent as some of the other glycolic acid lotions out there, so it just seems to maintain my skin without really hurting it. Be sure to pile on the sunscreen though – what it CAN do is make your skin photosensitive!
Ah.. so milder exfoliating lotions is the key to using them everyday.. got it~ 😉 rest assured, spf50+++ sunscreen is a must of mine 😛 hehe
Yup! Keep it mild – don’t want to irritate and strip the skin more than necessary and good girl for using SPF50 everyday – that’s what I do too, rain or shine LOL
Thank you for this review! I’ve been eyeing this up, and I might just take the leap. Though the Ren product you mentioned is equally as tempting. First world problems ahoy!
Haha first world problems indeed! If it helps, I find the REN a wee bit better than the Hada Labo in the sense that my skin sees a visible result with REN more quickly. But Hada Labo is affordable and works so it’s worth a go! 🙂
This is why I’m always on beauty blogs! For cool and interesting products I’d never know about! Thanks for this post…. Now I’ve got to find this product in the US!
I think Hada Labo is now available in the US but called Tokyo Hada Labo and they have slightly different packaging and products but hopefully they bring this in too! Good luck.
Love your reviews & style. Got to agree that this brand understands our Asian combo skin. I hv used their cleanser & moisturizer before it’s great at home or outdoors for me.
Unfortunately, I needed smthgh stronger whnvr in cold air cond. environment. 🙂
Am tempted to try this product now haha!
Thank you Vera 🙂 And you’re right, this is a great brand considering the price point! I find that layering their hydrating products or just any hydrating products give the best results so if you do try this lotion, be sure to follow up with a hydrating lotion or toner (from any brand even if not Hada Labo) and I think you’d find the results better 🙂
🙂 yes! Tq!
Hello Paris B! I used to use the Kanebo Impress Brightener but have stopped because it is pricey :(. I find it effective. My skin was glowing after using <1 bottle. How would you compare this with the Kanebo Impress Brightener? Thank you!
I do like the Kanebo Impress Brightener! Glad you saw results with that one 🙂 I would think they’re similar but different in that I didn’t find the Kanebo Impress Brightener drying but I do find the Hada Labo one a little drying. They serve similar functions to remove dead skin cells but I’d pick the Kanebo one if I had to choose 🙂
Hi Paris, I wanna ask..can I use Hada Labo Aha+Bha cleanser and follow up with Pixi glow tonic toner?
Hi I wouldn’t, because it might be too drying and over exfoliating, as you’re layering AHA (glycolic acid) over the AHA cleanser.
Hi Paris,Just want to know. After applying this HL toning lotion, what kind of moisturiser u use to cover up the face? I have a sensitive skin. I\’ve tried HL toning lotion and it works to my skin. But i\’m not sure if i need to apply some moisturiser after using the toning lotion.
Hi Mizsrenn, I just use any regular moisturiser. As this is a peeling lotion, it would be advisable to follow up with a moisturiser just so your skin doesn’t dry out. Just use whatever you have or are comfortable with 🙂