Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner Review

What is Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner?

• Acid-free hydrating toner with niacinamide
• Promotes soft, smooth feeling skin
• Works to reduce the appearance of pores
• Increases hydration
• Makes skin appear brighter
• Vegan friendly formula in a recyclable bottle
• Available exclusively at Charlotte Tilbury*

My Review of Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner

This isn’t a full review as such, as I have only tried this out for a few days, but I have looked into the ingredients, and what the product aims to do and am giving you my thoughts based on that and how I have found it on my skin. I have also taken questions from Instagram and answered them, so I think you will find this useful.

The Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner has a soft milky texture that I really like. It is not a clear solution like many traditional toners and I love that it has Niacinamide in, which my skin really likes and I find great on enlarged pores.

As it has been formulated for use as a classic toner, and not an essence, I have been using it as the post-cleanse step, splashed on to a cotton pad and then wiped over clean, dry skin.

You can also use it directly on to the skin by splashing a few drops into your palms and pressing it on to the skin, but I find this makes it less effective at ‘toning’ and working to remove last traces of cleanser and impurities.

I find that the action of the cotton pad swept across the skin ensures skin is completely clean and ready for the next post-toning steps.

Is it suitable for sensitive skin?

This is slightly tricky because, as it is acid free, it has been formulated to be more gentle than a classic exfoliating toner, and in this respect, should be good if you are sensitive.

However, having said that, it is acid free but it does contain fragrance. So if you are particularly sensitive to fragrance, then this may not be for you. It also contains an alcohol form, Benzyl Alcohol whose primary function is to act as a preservative, but it is considered to be minimally sensitising.

Does it contain fragrance?

Yes. Fragrance (parfum) comes 13th on the ingredients list. There is also LIMONENE, CITRONELLOL, GERANIOL, LINALOOL, CITRAL, EUGENOL much lower down on the ingredients list, used as low level fragrance.

It has a similar smell to that of most Charlotte Tilbury skincare – a kind of floral scent that you will be used to if you use other CT products.

Does it leave a greasy feeling?

I find that it sinks in really well, and seems to disappear into the skin. it doesn’t feel sticky at all.

How does it make skin feel and look?

It does feel really nice and refreshing and it’s great that it doesn’t have acid because I think it’s so easy to over-use acid by accident. It doesn’t give you that super boost of moisture that an essence does, but then it is supposed to be a toner and not an essence.

Although it gives a very slight glow, I don’t get the glowy skin I get if I use an essence, which is designed to drench skin in hydration and really smooth and plump it up. In case you’re interested, one of the best essences I have used is the Bioeffect EGF Essence* which is a glow-fest and seriously hydrates thirsty skin deep down.

Is it drying?

I don’t find this drying at all. If anything, it adds a light layer of hydration while balancing the skin.

Can it be used daily?

Yes, the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner has been designed for use daily both AM and PM. I’d say if you were wanting to use it just once per day, then night time would be the most appropriate for a really thorough cleansing process.

How does it exfoliate without acid?

The formula contains a couple of ingredients designed to boost the skin’s natural exfoliation process without using any added acid exfoliators. There’s a Prickly Pear Extract (Exfolactive) that boosts natural exfoliation and also a Peptide that boosts cell turnover. See Key Ingredients above for more info.

Where in your routine should you use it?

The Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner is designed as a post cleanse step. You should cleanse your skin, and then apply it on to dry skin. You can then follow with your normal steps. An essence if you use one, serum, moisturiser, SPF (day).

I am always looking for post cleanse toning step that’s not an acid but isn’t a micellar water either, so this fits for bill for me. Having said that, it is very similar in function to the Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Toner*, which has Niacinamide high up on the ingredients list, and is quite a lot cheaper.