My Verdict on Alpha-H Generation Glow, the New Gentler Version of Liquid Gold...
Amy Clark is Adore Beauty's former Senior Editor and co-host of Skincare School the podcast (and self-appointed beauty road-tester!). Amy's worked as a journalist, beauty editor and podcaster for several years, previously writing and talking about all things beauty at Mamamia and You Beauty. When she's not writing honest, no BS product reviews and taking selfies 'for work', you'll find Amy eating halloumi in a hair towel turban and... taking more selfies.
Ask any beauty editor for their favourite all-rounder glowy skin product and they'll probably say Alpha-H Liquid Gold.
With over 1,600 5-star reviews on Adore Beauty, the cult chemical exfoliator really is that good.
A quick recap for anyone who needs it:
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment 100ml is an exfoliating product that contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) that loosens up dead skin cells for plumper, smoother, more radiant-looking skin.
Swipe it over the face of an evening and you'll feel 'the tingle' of it munching on your dead skin cells.
But just because something is wildly popular, doesn't mean it's right for everyone.
For example, even though I LOVE the instant radiance Liquid Gold gives me, I find my sensitised skin feels a bit tight and stripped with ongoing use.
So yeah, my skin and I were pretty excited when we found out Alpha-H was launching a gentler (but equally as glowy) version of Liquid Gold.
Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence is its name and spoiler, it's brilliant.
But how does Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence compare to the original Liquid Gold, and which one is better for you?
Keep scrolling for my Alpha-H Generation Glow review.
What Is Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence?
Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence is a watery lotion that increases skin’s luminosity by retaining moisture, reducing the appearance of redness and improving skin tone and texture.
Like Liquid Gold, it does this by utilising AHAs for chemical exfoliation, only in a gentler, daily-use formula that's been dermatologically-tested as safe for sensitive skin.
Alpha-H Generation Glow also has some very lovely clinical trial results so far.
An 8-week trial with 33 participants found:
- 100% had significant improvement in skin texture and smoothness after one use.
- 100% agreed this product gives their skin a healthy-looking glow.
- 97% agreed this product gives a significantly brighter complexion to their skin.
- 100% agreed the product was gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Here are just a few Alpha-H Generation Glow before and after results!
Alpha-H Generation Glow FAQs.
Sounds cool, but what does this product actually do? And how does it work?
- Boosts brightness, evens skin tone and texture, supports the skin's microbiome and maintains hydration and skin barrier function.
- The gentle resurfacing product visibly and instantly improves skin luminosity, otherwise known as that glow.
- Contains a 5% fruit-derived AHA complex of lactic, citric, malic, tartaric and glycolic acids.
- This combined with Alpha-H's proprietary blend of postbiotic-rich native Australian botanical extracts Tasmanian Blue Gum, Snowflower and Chamomile is what gives results, without irritation.
- Can be used morning or night - apply after cleansing and before other serums, moisturisers and sunscreen.
Alpha-H Generation Glow vs Liquid Gold.
Both of these Alpha-H products will deliver a smoother, softer, more radiant-looking complexion.
It's about choosing the one that best suits your skin type, but also your tolerance for active ingredients.
Here's a quick breakdown of how Liquid Gold and Generation Glow compare:
- Liquid Gold is $69.95 for 100ml, while 100ml of Generation Glow is $99.95.
- Liquid Gold has a very thin, runny tonic texture compared to Generation Glow, which is more of a milky, watery serum.
- Liquid Gold contains 5% glycolic acid. Generation Glow's 5% AHA complex includes glycolic acid, as well as gentler acids like lactic acid.
- You can apply Liquid Gold by soaking a cotton pad in the tonic or pooling it in your hands before patting onto the skin.
- Generation Glow is thick enough to smooth directly onto the skin like a very thin serum or essence.
Both exfoliants can be great options for beginners, but Generation Glow is specifically for anyone who finds the tingle of Liquid Gold a bit much.
You can learn more about the different Liquid Gold products in our Alpha-H YouTube video below.
My Alpha-H Generation Glow Review.
Big call, but I think I prefer Generation Glow to Liquid Gold.
Not because Liquid Gold isn't an excellent product (it has more than 1,600 5-star reviews, remember!), but because the gentler version is better-suited to my skin.
I have dry skin prone to dehydration, inflammation and the odd dermatitis flare up.
While Liquid Gold is God tier for some, there have been times when I've woken up with glowy skin that feels tight or stripped after using it.
Here's a look at my skin before and a few minutes after using Generation Glow.
With Generation Glow, I get the visible radiance almost straight away, but my skin feels plump, soft, hydrated and bouncy.
Maybe it's placebo, but I feel like my skin also looks calmer, which is great for anyone who experiences redness like me.
The texture of this toner-exfoliant-essence-serum hybrid is delightful, too.
If you don't enjoy using cotton pads, reusable pads or splashing the Liquid Gold toner onto hands from the bottle, you'll love how easy Generation Glow is to pat directly into the skin.
This is what the texture looks like in real life.
Personally, I didn't experience any tingling, tightening or irritation when applying Generation Glow onto cleansed skin followed by moisturiser every second or third night.
That's what I liked best about it!
On the other hand, that ants-biting-your face feeling is one of the reasons thousands of 5-star reviewers love the original Liquid Gold formula so much...
Different strokes for different folks, right?
Final Verdict...
Love Liquid Gold and how it makes your skin look and feel?
Then keep using it. It's a cult product for a reason!
But for anyone like me who wants visible glow, without their sensitised skin throwing a tantrum, I'd add Alpha-H Generation Glow to cart ASAP.
Want more beauty breakdowns of cult products? Check out these stories here:
P.S. Take our Alpha-H skincare quiz below for even more help finding what you're looking for!
