Liquid Gold to Midnight Reboot: A Guide to Alpha-H’s Cult Liquid Exfoliants
Chloe is the Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. She spends most of her time crafting scroll-stopping content, but outside of work, you'll find her building on her Glasshouse collection, hanging out with her fur babies and probably cleaning. Her all-time favourite products include the Alpha-H Liquid Gold and Kérastase Elixir Ultime Original Hair Oil.
Alpha-H, heard of them?
I’m almost sure of it.
Alpha-H, heard of them?
I’m almost sure you have.
From the GOAT of all liquid exfoliants, Liquid Gold, to the ultra-powerful Midnight Reboot Serum that is literally magic in a bottle and my personal saving grace, they have always hit the nail on the head when it comes to formulating magical potions, truly earning their title as the “acid authority."
As a self-proclaimed exfoliating queen, I’m always asked which one I’d recommend and why.
I never have one solid answer, because everyone’s skin, tolerance, and concerns are different, but I always point people toward Alpha-H.
I know my sensitive-skin friends might be squealing at the mere mention of a liquid exfoliant, but trust me, there’s one for you too.
It’s probably obvious by now that I’m an Alpha-H stan.
I’ve been using their products for years, and they’ve always been my go-to for glowier, smoother skin, which is why I’m sharing my top four Alpha-H liquid exfoliator picks and how to choose the right one.
What Are Liquid Exfoliants?
Wait, Chloe, what the heck are liquid exfoliants?
Remember those harsh scrubs we all used to use? Scrubbing our poor epidermis in hopes of getting rid of acne, breakouts or texture?
Well, times have changed my friend.
Liquid exfoliants are like treatments that contain skincare acids, like Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) or Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), that work to increase skin cell turnover by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells.
This reveals brighter, fresher-looking skin and comes with so many benefits. Not only can liquid exfoliants decongest, but they are also fantastic for reducing the look of any scarring, pigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
Now that that's covered, let me introduce you to the world of Alpha-H Liquid exfoliants and how to pick the right one for you.
1. Alpha-H Liquid Gold.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold is Alpha-H’s MVP, a multifunctional 5% Glycolic Acid Treatment with Licorice Extract to exfoliate the skin to reveal a more toned and satin-smooth appearance.
Fast facts:
- Formulated at a pH of 2.8 - 3.0 to facilitate deeper penetration of active ingredients.
- 4.6 Star rating on Adore Beauty with nearly 2.3K reviews - that's how you know it’s good stuff.
- Made with 5% glycolic acid to exfoliate and brighten the appearance of tone and texture, licorice extract for its soothing and brightening properties, silk proteins improve skin clarity and radiance, and powerful humectant glycerin to maintain skin’s moisture balance.
- Lightweight liquid texture that has the same efficacy as a strong serum rejuvenates the skin and improves the appearance of tone, texture and scarring.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold is best suited to:
Those with normal to high skin tolerance can use every second night to melt away dead skin cells and reveal brighter fresh skin.
Sensitive skin-havers to use weekly or fortnightly as an exfoliant.
Pretty much any skin concern: scarring, pigmentation, age management; the lot!
How to use Alpha-H Liquid Gold:
You can use Liquid Gold 3 times a week on alternate evenings.
If you’re new to exfoliation or have sensitised skin, start slowly with once a week and build up from there.
After cleansing, saturate a cotton pad (approx. 1ml per use) and sweep over face, neck and décolletage. Alternatively, dispense product into palms and press directly over the skin.
That’s it!
If you feel some slight tingles, don’t stress, totally normal!
This will soon dissipate, and you'll be left with a firmer, more vibrant and resilient complexion.
If your skin is slightly sensitive or you prefer a more comfortable feel, follow with a face oil, moisturiser or serum afterwards, once your skin is touch dry.
Pro tip: Liquid Gold actually works best unadulterated - following with other products will buffer the efficacy of the treatment.
My Alpha-H Liquid Gold review:
This was one of my first introductions to Alpha-H, and if I’m being honest, my second liquid exfoliant after being left red and raw by a cheaper alternative.
Going into it I was very careful and quite sceptical of liquid exfoliants, which was a new concept to me at the time, but this one was a game changer.
It was SO easy to use, my skin was brighter, less congested and scrubs were a thing of the past.
That was almost four years ago. Alpha-H Liquid Gold has constantly been restocked in my skincare drawer ever since.
2. Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum is an age-defying, industry-first formulation that uses both 14% Glycolic Acid and 1% Granactive Retinoid.
Fast facts:
- Powerful formulation that helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.
- Also formulated with collagen-boosting tripeptide-5 for bouncy skin, and antioxidants like ferulic acid and Coenzyme Q10 for protection against free radical damage (i.e. premature signs of ageing).
- Rejuvenates skin appearance by helping to brighten uneven complexions.
- Comes in a juicy 50ml bottle instead of the standard 30ml.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum is best suited to:
People who just want the one exfoliating product, this one’s for you. You won’t need to look for anything else in the realm of exfoliation.
Those who have tough AF skin, you’ve tried everything and nothing ever feels strong enough. TRUST - give this one a go.
Don’t want to pay for facials anymore? Yup, for you.
Those looking to blast pigmentation, scarring, if you’re into age management or if you want brighter more radiant skin.
How to use Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum:
Apply 4-5 drops on clean, dry skin only in the evening and follow up with your favourite moisturiser or oil.
I’m going to reiterate that this one is strong, so if you’re new to this product start slowly, once a week at first, see how your skin feels and build it up from there.
Sensitive skin friends, this one might not be for you.
My Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum review:
This formulation blew my mind, when it first came out I was like WHAT? 14% Glycolic Acid with 1% Granactive Retinoid?! But trust Alpha-H to formulate a skin reboot in a bottle.
The serum itself is like a liquid-y cream, quite hydrating for what it is, doesn’t take long to soak into the skin and comes with a slight tingle that goes away after a few seconds.
Every time I use this I wake up looking and feeling absolutely phenomenal, I always, and I mean always get complimented the day after I use it.
It's my go-to before an event, filming days or whenever I feel like a pick-me-up is needed.
3. Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence.
As the name suggests, Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence is a watery exfoliation lotion that you can use daily.
Fast facts:
- Formulated with a 5% AHA Complex of 5 naturally-derived AHAs (lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, glycolic acid and tartaric acid) that work together to gently even out skin tone and improve skin texture.
- Sensitive skin-friendly!
- Made with the Alpha-H IQ Blend - a blend of bio-fermented Australian botanicals to support the skin’s microbiome, maintain hydration and protect against free-radical damage.
- This incredibly smart formula fortifies the skin’s barrier function ensuring gentle delivery of active ingredients.
Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence is best suited to:
Sensitive skin-havers, I’m looking at you.
Skincare newbies looking for an essence that does it all, hydrates, exfoliates and rejuvenates.
Mature skin that needs a bit more TLC than exfoliation.
How to use Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence:
Like everything else on this list, on dry skin after cleansing, pop 5 drops of this into your palms and press it into the skin.
Follow with your favourite moisturiser or oil.
Nicole’s Alpha-H Generation Glow Daily Resurfacing Essence review:
For this review, I asked my AB colleague Nicole who is a regular user (and lover) for her mini review of Alpha-H Generation Glow.
Here's what she said:
"Since going off the pill last year my skin has definitely become more… complicated. I’ve always had dry and sensitive skin but now I’m noticing more breakouts, redness and pigmentation/marks (I promise no pimple popping here!).
I was looking to add something to my routine that would target these changes without making my skin angrier. This is where Generation Glow comes in!
The tonic/essence consistency instantly adds a lovely hydration and glow to my skin and over time it helps to reduce redness and calm my skin with gentle exfoliation. It's a great addition to my routine."
4. Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic.
Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic is a gentle mattifying, pore-minimising exfoliator made for those with oily, congested and/or blemish-prone skin.
Fast facts:
- Made with 2% Salicylic Acid (BHA) which works to break down build-up in your pores, helping with congestion and preventing breakouts.
- Formulated with Seboclear MP - natural plant extracts to reduce breakouts by controlling the growth of aggravating bacteria in breakout-prone skin.
- Can be used on both the face and body.
- Uses a combination of tea tree, eucalyptus and thyme for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as chamomilla, cucumber and arnica for redness and sweeping of breakouts.
Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic is best suited to:
Those who break out often, duh.
Oily skin havers with blackheads and sebaceous filaments.
Even those who break out anywhere else. Backne be gone!
How to use Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic:
This one can be used either in the morning or at night.
On clean dry skin, moisten a cotton pad and sweep either over your whole face (avoiding the eyes and lips) or on the areas you tend to be congested.
As per usual follow with your favourite moisturiser or oil.
My Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic review:
My saviour when any part of me is feeling congested, my back, my nose, my chin.
Obviously, light because it’s a tonic, it has this really enjoyable antibacterial scent and I noticed that my oiliness is well controlled the day after too!
Which Liquid Exfoliator Should I Use?
To sum it up: If you don’t have any major concerns and are just looking for something to brighten up your skin or help with pigmentation or scarring with a sprinkle of age management, the OG Alpha-H Liquid Gold is for you.
For those that need more of a blast, Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot will be for you. It gives you that post-facial feel the morning after, plus it also helps with age management, scarring and pigmentation.
Sensitive skin havers still looking to target all the concerns listed above, Alpha-H Generation Glow has got you covered.
Want to mattify shine, reduce excess oil, minimise the look of pores, or manage breakouts and scarring (or all of the above)? Look no further than the Alpha-H Clear Skin Tonic.
Round of applause to Alpha-H for looking out for absolutely everyone.
Now all you have to do is add the best Alpha-H treatment for you to cart!
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