Glycolic acid is one of the active compounds in the group of skincare ingredients known as alpha hydroxy acids. Derived from cane sugar, glycolic acid can penetrate skin easily because its molecules are so small. As a result, glycolic acid is a terrific exfoliator and helps reduce fine lines, discoloration/dark spots, acne and acne scarring, blackheads, dullness, and oiliness.
I’ve been using skincare products with glycolic acid for about three years or so, and I’ve had really good luck with it.
Several weeks ago, NIP+FAB sent me three glycolic acid products to try out:
- Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads
- Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads
- Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot.
Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads and Daily Cleansing Pads
I think it makes sense to build up to higher concentrations of glycolic acid in the skincare products you use. I think either NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads or Daily Cleansing Pads would be the perfect glycolic product to start out with. My skin is what I’d call semi-sensitive: some products can irritate it, but most do not. I had no problem using the Daily Cleansing Pads, perhaps because I’ve been using glycolic acid at different strengths for so long. Frankly, I couldn’t really tell the difference on my skin between the Daily Cleansing and the Gentle Pads. I use either pad after cleansing on my face, neck and décollleté.
The Daily Cleansing pad, in addition to containing a 2.8% concentration of glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and smooth the skin, also contains witch hazel for toning. It does an awesome job removing makeup that even my double cleanse sometimes misses. Check it out!
Also in the formula, there’s glycerin and hyaluronic acid to help keep skin hydrated, and blue daisy and panthenol to soothe. I’m a fan of dimethicone for smoothing my fine lines, so I was happy to see it in the ingredient list.
Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pad Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denat. (SD Alcohol 40-B), Disodium EDTA, Globularia Alypum (Blue Daisy) Extract, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Parfum, Limonene, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
The Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads contain both glycolic and fruit acids (from bilberry, sugar cane, sugar maple, orange and lemon; another way of saying AHAs), but they are further down the ingredient list than in the Daily Cleansing Pads. The Gentle Pads also contain aloe vera to protect the skin as well as panthenol and HA for moisture. Although this pad doesn’t contain witch hazel like the Daily Cleansing Pad, I find that it still works well as a toner after cleansing.
Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Geraniol, Citral
The pads have a very subtle fresh scent that truthfully I can’t smell when I’m using them. Both jars contain 60 pads. The Daily Cleansing Pads are priced at $12.95 and the Gentle Pads are $14.95. They’re available on the NIP+FAB website, at Ulta, CVS, Walgreens and Target in the U.S. I noticed on the NIP+FAB website that they also have Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme with a 5% concentration of glycolic acid. When I finish up these two jars of pads, I’ll try that one next. Because I have been using concentrations of glycolic acid above 5%, I know that my skin will be fine with 5%.
Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot
Oh, I love boosters! They are so handy because they’re concentrated, and you can add them to whatever moisturizer or anti aging product you’re currently using.
Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot comes in an attractive bottle with a dosing dropper. The Radiance Shot inside the dropper is a pearlescent milky thick liquid. Like the Gentle Pads, the Radiance Shot contains both glycolic and fruit acids to retexturize and panthenol to hydrate. The formula also contains an amino acid derivative to promote more even looking skin tone. It smells a bit like grapefruit to me if I smell the dropper, but I don’t smell anything when I add two drops to my moisturizer and apply it.
I really like the Radiance Shot. I use it at night mix with my moisturizer as well as sometimes before I’m going out because it helps give my skin a subtle glow.
Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot that launched in January is also available at CVS and Ulta Beauty. The usual price is $19.95 for 1.01 fl. oz., but I noticed that it’s on sale now on the NIP+FAB website for $4.95. Now that’s an excellent sale!
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, 1-Methylhydantoin-2-Imide, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Mica, Limonene, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Buteth-3, Parfum (Fragrance), Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Tin Oxide, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Tributyl Citrate, Linalool, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 60730 (Acid Violet 43), CI 42090 (Blue 1).
I also noticed on the N+F website that they have an entire line of different Glycolic Fix skincare products that’s definitely worth exploring. Have you tried any of them yet?
Over the past several months, I’ve been trying more products from NIP+FAB from my Ipsy bags and other samples, and I’m becoming a real fan. What have you tried from NIP+FAB that I should know about?
I am a huge fan of Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix pads! I haven’t try the Radiance Shot though but will pick that up next!
I really like the Radiance Shot. And I discovered they have a bunch of other “shots” too. I can’t believe I just got into this brand like about 6 weeks ago!
I use and love the Glycolic Instant Fix Mask, I get it at Target, really affordable brand too. TFS
Thank you, Heather, for the recommendation! So far, I really like the Glycolic Fix line. As a matter of fact, I had been using glycolic pads from another brand that were much more expensive. I’m really pleased with these, and I look forward to trying the “Extreme” 5% version after I finish these up in a couple of months. I’ll check out the Instant Fix Mask too – maybe similar results to the Glycolic Fix Radiance Shot??
I can’t believe I haven’t tried this line of skincare yet. I’m adding these items to my wishlist right now and will definitely try one soon. The ingredients sound perfect for my skin.
Stacie, I am new to NIP+FAB too. I just started trying a few items over the past couple of months. Definitely worth discovering!
I’ve been using the daily and night pads as well as the Viper Venom Fx Blurring Shot and like my results.
I haven’t tried any items from this brand yet, but definitely taking notes! It sounds like I need to pads!!
Their pads are really fantastic! I need to review mine soon! I am very impressed by this brand, and am curious to try that Radiance Shot!
I’m really glad I got to try these Glycolic products from NIP+FAB. I recently tried one of the dragon’s blood serums, and the scent was a little strong so I’m glad I got more experience with the brand through these definitely fab glycolics 🙂
The radiance shot sounds cool!
Id be interested in the Radiance shot.