Medik8 Press & Glow 200ml

Twice daily, morning and evening, after cleansing.

Twist the top half of the pump anticlockwise until it clicks to activate. Hold a reusable cotton pad firmly over the pump and press down 3–4 times. Sweep over the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. Don't rinse. Follow with your serums and moisturiser.

Twist the pump clockwise until it clicks before travelling, to stop it leaking.

If you're new to acids, start once daily in the evening for a fortnight, then build to twice.

Wear SPF daily. Gluconolactone is unusual among acids in that it isn't thought to increase photosensitivity, and there's evidence it offers some protection against UV damage — but you should be wearing sunscreen anyway, and Medik8's own guidance advises it.

Anyone who wants daily exfoliation without the trade-off.

Dullness and lack of glow
Rough or uneven texture
Sensitive or reactive skin that can't tolerate glycolic or lactic toners
Skin that's dry as well as congested — this hydrates while it exfoliates
Anyone using a retinoid who wants better absorption and results
Beginners who want a safe first step into acids

Pairs with: any Medik8 vitamin A, and with Sleep Glycolic on your two weekly glycolic nights.

Not for you if: your skin is broken, inflamed or sunburnt.

Gluconolactone 5.5% — a polyhydroxy acid. Larger than AHA molecules, so it exfoliates the surface gradually rather than penetrating deeply. Also a humectant, which is why it hydrates rather than strips, and an antioxidant.

Prickly pear extract — a natural enzyme activator that supports the skin's own renewal process, improving clarity and luminosity.

Aloe vera — calms and holds moisture in.

Acai fruit extract — antioxidant protection against free radical damage.

Glycerin — draws water into the skin.

Full ingredients: Aqua (Water), Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

Formulations are updated periodically and vary by region. The list printed on your bottle is the definitive one.

200ml · Daily exfoliating PHA tonic with enzyme activator
pH approximately 3.7

Alcohol free · Fragrance free · Vegan · Cruelty free
Refill available — keep the pump, replace the bottle

Patch test before first use. Avoid eye contact; rinse well with water if it enters the eyes. Use only on unbroken skin. If irritation occurs, stop using it; if it persists, contact us or your GP.

What's a PHA, and why not just use glycolic?
Polyhydroxy acids are larger molecules than AHAs, so they don't penetrate as deeply and work more slowly. That sounds like a downside but it's the reason you can use one twice a day without wrecking your barrier. Glycolic is better as an occasional high-strength treatment; a PHA is what you use in between.

Can I use it if my skin is sensitive?
Yes — this is the acid toner we recommend to people who've reacted to everything else. It's clinically proven gentle enough for twice-daily use on sensitive skin. Still patch test.

Can I use it with retinol?
Yes, and that's the point. Press & Glow is designed to work alongside vitamin A — use it first, let it absorb, then apply your retinoid. It improves absorption, so you get more from the retinoid without going up a strength.

Can I use it with Sleep Glycolic?
Yes. Press & Glow daily, Sleep Glycolic twice a week. Don't apply Press & Glow on top of Sleep Glycolic on the same night — use it in the morning instead.

Do I need cotton pads?
A reusable pad works best and wastes less product. Fingertips work at a push but you'll lose the light sweeping action that makes it effective.

How long does 200ml last?
Around three to four months with twice-daily use. The refill is the cheaper way to repurchase.

What's the refill?
A replacement bottle for the same pump. Less plastic, lower price. Buy the full bottle once, then refills after that.