Confession time: I am a little obsessed with having glowing skin, more so now that my 46-year-old complexion is not quite as bright as it once was (thanks, peri-menopause). There are myriad products on the market that all promise The Glow, and I have tried a lot of them. However, there is one that has stood the test of time in my skincare arsenal: Ren’s Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic.
It is a chemical exfoliator that truly delivers and is beloved by beauty editors, celebrities (hi, Sienna Miller), and skin pros alike for its ability to smooth-out texture, brighten dark spots, and give skin that elusive glow.
Right now you can get your hands on two Ready Steady Glows (a full size and a travel size) for £26.40 – that’s 40% off. But hurry, as the offer ends on Monday.
I picked up Ready Steady Glow after seeing the results it gave the models on a beauty shoot. This was at a time when we had started to turn our backs on harsh, gritty face scrubs and discovered the potential of facial acids as a less aggressive form of exfoliation.
After cleansing, I eagerly doused a cotton pad with the water-like tonic and swiped it over my complexion. The next day, I marvelled at how soft my skin felt. A month later, after using it twice a week, my skin looked fresh and radiant.
Exfoliating acids weren’t common practice in people’s bathrooms then; possibly the word ‘acid’ may have worried them. Used correctly, however, they will gently nibble away at dead skin cells and unclog pores, leaving skin fresher, brighter and clearer.
If you’re new to acid exfoliants, it’s best to ease them into your routine gradually. Start by applying them just two to three times during the first week. If you have sensitive skin, begin with just once a week to see how your skin responds.
Unfortunately, Ren is closing its doors after 25 years, and as a beauty editor, it’s always a bit gutting when a much-loved brand disappears. There’s no official word on when its products will stop retailing, but if, like me, you have your favourites, now’s the time to stock up.