I wouldn’t call 6% glycolic acid “extreme”. My skin’s used to higher doses. But Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6% is one of the strongest glycolic acid exfoliant the brand makes.
If you’re a teen or young adult – Nip + Fab’s target audience – and your skin’s still behaving as it should, 6% is an extreme dose for you. Baby steps, ladies. Start small and increase your glycolic acid fix when YOU need it, not when Cosmo tells you to.
So should you try it? I mean, regardless of whether the exfoliant is good or not, does your young skin really need exfoliation? Or will that be too extreme for you? There’s only one way to find out. Here’s everything you need to know about this exfoliant, so you can make an informed choice for your skin:
Key Ingredients In Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6%: What Makes It Work?
GLYCOLIC ACID TO EXFOLIATE SKIN
Glycolic acid is the star of the show here. It’s the smallest member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) family, a group of acids that exfoliates skin by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together. Once the old, superficial layer of damaged cells is off your face, your complexion is brighter and softer. The texture of your skin looks smoother and more even-toned, too.
That’s not all. Glycolic acid is a moisture magnet that attracts water into the skin, helping to keep it hydrated. It boosts collagen production, too – but at higher concentrations. *sighs* Its small size means glycolic acid can penetrate skin deeper than other acids. That means it works better… but is more irritating. If you have sensitive skin, this is NOT for you.
Sensitive skin fares better with lactic acid. That just happens to be in Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6%, but at much lower dose. It’s more hydrating than exfoliating here.
Related: Glycolic Acid VS Lactic Acid: Which One Should You Use?
SALICYLIC ACID TO UNCLOG PORES
Salicylic acid is the only member of the Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) family used in skincare. Like AHAs, BHA dissolves the glue that holds skin cells together so they can slough off and reveal the brighter and smoother skin underneath.
Unlike AHAs, salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This means it can get past the skin’s lipid layer and get inside the pores. Once there, it removes all the crap that’s clogging them up and giving you blackheads, whiteheads and pimples.
The catch? I don’t think there’s enough salicylic acid in Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6% to exfoliate pores and fight acne. 🙁
Related: AHAs VS BHA: Which One Is Right For You?
NIACINAMIDE TO MOISTURISE SKIN
Niacinamide is another ingredient that’s not present in a massive amount in Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6%. But hey, I’d rather get a little niacinamide than none at all. This form of vitamin B3 is a multi-tasker:
It hydrates skin: It’s more effective than petrolatum at preventing water loss
It soothes skin: It alleviates the symptoms of rosacea and irritations
It lightens skin: It reduces dark spots, blotchiness (redness) and sallowness (yellowing)
It helps treat wrinkles: Preliminary research shows it can boost the production of skin-firming collagen
It treats acne: Its effects are similar to those of 1% clindamycin gel
No matter what you’re dealing with, a little niacinamide can only help.
Related: The Complete Guide To Niacinamide: What It is, What It Does & How To Use It
Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin supple and dewy? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):
The Rest Of The Formula & Ingredients
NOTE: The colours indicate the effectiveness of an ingredient. It is ILLEGAL to put toxic and harmful ingredients in skincare products.
Green: It’s effective, proven to work, and helps the product do the best possible job for your skin.
Yellow: There’s not much proof it works (at least, yet).
Red: What is this doing here?!
Aqua (Water): The main solvent in the product, it helps to dissolve other ingredients. It’s hydrating, too.
Polysorbate 20: An emulsifier that helps combine water and oil, keeping the formula stable and pleasant to use.
Glycerin: A humectant that attracts and binds water to the skin, keeping it hydrated for longer.
Sodium Hydroxide: It helps to adjust the pH of skincare products. Super important here. If the pH is too high, Glycolic Acid won’t work. If it’s too low, it’ll burn your skin. This active keeps the balance just right between effectiveness and gentleness.
Sodium Benzoate: A preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your skincare product.
Potassium Sorbate: Another preservative, often used with Sodium Benzoate, that inhibits the growth of bacteria in your skincare product.
Allantoin: A soothing agent that reduces redness and irritation. Exfoliation always has the potential to be a little irritating, so I appreciate this welcome addition.
Disodium EDTA: A chelating agent, a fancy way of saying it neutralises trace metals found in the water that would otherwise spoil the formula.
Limonene: A fragrant component of citrus fruits, it makes the exfoliant smell amazing. But, it must be listed separately on the label because it’s a common allergen.
Parfum (Fragrance): The most irritating ingredient found in skincare products. But it makes the exfoliant smell good.
Benzyl Benzoate: A volatile fragrant ingredient. It makes the product smell good, but can be irritating.
Panthenol: A humectant with soothing properties. It hydrates skin and calms down irritations.
Sodium Hyaluronate: A form of Hyaluronic Acid. It attracts and binds to your skin up to 1000 times its weight in water, leaving it softer and plumper.
Geraniol: Extracted from geranium, it’s a fragrant ingredient that makes the product smell good. But it’s a common allergen too.
Butylphenyl Methylpropional: A common fragrance allergen with a pleasant floral scent.
Citral: A common fragrant ingredient that smells like lemon. It can cause irritations.
Linalool: Another common allergen that smells good. It has a floral and spicy scent.
Texture
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6% has a liquidy, runny texture that doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind.
Fragrance
Citrusy and summery. If an exfoliant must have a fragrance, then this is just right up my alley. It smells gorgeous and makes the exfoliant a pleasure to use. But, let’s not forget that fragrances have a dark side. They can irritate sensitive skin.
How To Use It
Two or three nights a week, after cleansing. The closer to clean skin, the better exfoliation works.
You need to apply it with a cotton pad all over your face – it’s too runny to be applied straight to your face.
If you’re using retinoids (you don’t need them before you’re 25, by the way), exfoliate on a different night. I like to alternate them at night.
Packaging
This exfoliant comes in a dark blue bottle. I like the look of it. It’s sleek and wouldn’t be out of place on a vanity. The solution inside is very liquidy, so be careful not to spill out to much when you use it.
Performance & Personal Opinion
If you’re new to glycolic acid or have sensitive skin, you may experience a little tingling. I didn’t – my skin is used to it. I apply it straight after cleansing 3 nights a week, but if you’re a teen once or twice is more than enough. Your skin is doing most of the exfoliation on its own, so it doesn’t need much of a helping hand.
After the first use, my skin already looked a little brighter. Dewy glow aside, the toner also smooths out the texture of my skin and makes it softer to the touch.
Instead, it didn’t help me that much with blackheads. They tend to spring up on my nose if I’m not careful. This toner didn’t send them packing, but it didn’t make things worse either. I can’t say I’m surprised. You need a higher dose of salicylic acid to deal with any type of acne.
How Does Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6% Compare To The Other Nip + Fab Exfoliants?
Nip + Fab makes a gazillion exfoliants. How do you know which one is best for you, especially if you’re not convinced this one is just right for you? Here’s a quick overview of all the exfoliants the brand has to offer, so you can make the right choice for your skin type and needs:
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Bubble Sheet Mask Extreme (£6.95): A no-frills exfoliating mask with Glycolic Acid to brighten your skin before a special occasion. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Concentrate Extreme (£28.95): With a whopping 10% Glycolic Acid, this is the most powerful exfoliant for dry skin from the brand. It’s not moisturising, so apply plenty of cream afterwards. It’s fragranced, too. Available at Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads XXL (£19.95): 100 pads infused with a Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid solution to exfoliate and hydrates skin at the same time. Best for dry skin. Available at Nip + Fab. (There’s a 60 pads version available too).
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub Extreme (£14.95): A 6% Glycolic Acid exfoliant to smoothen and brighten the complexion. It’s not hydrating. It claims to have Salicylic Acid too, but I don’t see it on the ingredients list. Weird. I’ll tell you this: it’s not my fave Glycolic Acid exfoliant from the brand. Available at Boots and Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Daily (£13.45): It only has 2% Glycolic Acid, so don’t expect it to do much for your skin. I personally don’t recommend it.
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme XXL (£14.95): 100 pads infused with 5% Glycolic Acid solution to smoothen and brighten the complexion. It’s a good concentration for people who are just starting out with exfoliation. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Nip + Fab. (Also available in a 60 pads version).
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Scrub (£12.95): It only has 3% Glycolic Acid to exfoliate skin – and not enough Salicylic Acid to unclog pores. I’d personally leave this on the shelf too.
Nip + Fab Mandelic + Charcoal Fix Cleansing Pads (£14.95): These pads are infused with 4% mandelic acid, an exfoliant that helps treat acne in sensitive skin that can’t tolerate Salicylic Acid. Available at Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Concentrate Extreme 2% (£19.95): A simple, no-frills 2% Salicylic Acid exfoliant to unclog pores and banish pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Available at Look Fantastic and Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Day Pads (£12.95): A very low strength Salicylic Acid exfoliant. Again, I don’t recommend it. You won’t see results fast enough.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Night Pads (£14.95): 60 pads infused with 1% Salicylic Acid to unclog pores. They help with acne, but work more slowly than 2% Salicylic Acid. I only recommend them on-the-go. Available at Boots, Nip + Fab, Sephora, and Superdrug.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Scrub (£9.95): It’s a Salicylic Acid exfoliant, but it barely has any of it! Leave it on the shelf.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Spot Patches (£10.95): Not a fan of patches. Salicylic Acid can help treat acne, but the glue from the patches can irritate skin when you remove them and inflame skin. Guess what acne is? An inflammatory disease.
Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Tonic (£14.95): Based on Salicylic Acid positioning on the ingredient list, this toner should have around 1% of it. It’s just about enough to prevent and treat acne, but not the most powerful. Use it only if your skin is sensitive. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, and Nip + Fab.
Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Breakout Rescue Pads (£9.95): Like most Salicylic Acid exfoliants from this brand, this doesn’t have enough of it to really make an impact on your acne. *sighs*
Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Spot Patches (£9.95): These patches have enough Salicylic Acid to treat pimples, but they can irritating when you remove them. Not a fan.
Nip + Fab Teen Skin Fix Spot Zap (£7.95): This spot treatment has more alcohol than Salicylic Acid. It’ll dry out that pimple – and your skin in the process. But can’t really unclog pores and treat acne. Avoid.
What I Like About Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6%
Lightweight, fast-absorbing texture
Doesn’t leave a greasy residue behind
Exfoliates skin well
Makes skin softer and smoother
Gives skin a lovely glow
Pretty packaging
Affordable
What I Like About Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6%
Runny, need a cotton pad to apply it
Can’t treat acne, blackheads, and whiteheads
Who Should Use This?
Like all Glycolic Acid exfoliants, it’s suitable for dry skin. If you’re experiencing any type of acne, including blackheads and whiteheads, (a more likely condition in teen years), forget this and get a Salicylic Acid exfoliant instead (my fave picks are here).
Does Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme 6% Live Up To Its Claims?
CLAIM
TRUE?
Glycolic Fix Liquid Glow Extreme is a high performance liquid exfoliator with 6% pure Glycolic Acid for a brighter complexion.
True.
A powerhouse blend of exfoliating acids works to deeply cleanse and helps unclog pores for a more refined skin surface.
Mostly true. It just can’t unclog pores. You need salicylic acid for that.
Price & Availability
Available at: £29.95 at Boots, Nip + Fab
The Verdict: Should You Buy It?
I can’t make the choice for you, but I’ll tell you this. If you’re looking for a glycolic acid exfoliant, this does the job well.
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA ($33.00): A wonderful low strength Glycolic Acid exfoliant that makes skin softer, smoother, and brighter. Available at Paula’s Choice and Selfridges
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (£6.80): A gentle, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
Aqua (Water), Glycolic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Lactic Acid, Limonene, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Benzoate, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Geraniol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citral, Linalool.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
