Alpha-H Liquid Gold Review: Cult product sells every 3 minutes
This top-rated Aussie cult item promises to give you “glass skin” – and now it’s on sale for a very limited time.
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As someone whose TikTok and Instagram For You Pages are only reserved for tutorials on achieving glass skin, I understand it can be overwhelming wrapping your head around the never-ending line-up of skincare products that claim to be “viral” and “game-changing”.
But after falling prey to most of these bold claims – and consequently realising they’re nothing but good marketing – I’ve become quite the sceptic when it comes to adding a new product into my extremely regimented skincare routine I’ve carefully curated over the years. For me, the perfect product needs to tick three boxes – effectiveness, simplicity and affordability – and be backed with actual sales statistics. For example, a single 100-millilitre bottle of Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold is sold every three minutes — a reputation it’s continued to uphold since its inception 25 years ago.
You can also grab the High Tide Water Cream that promises to give you “bouncy” skin and the Melting Moment Cleansing Balm that “melts away” makeup, dirt and grime, and leaves your skin feeling “totally soft and supple”.
WHAT IS ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
While Alpha H’s entire range has gained prestige among skincare enthusiasts, Liquid Gold is arguably the favourite. The Aussie-made product has amassed a cult status for its ability to fast-track the skin’s renewal process and mimic the effectiveness of pricey clinical peel treatments, all at an affordable price. The result? Glowy, hydrated and plump skin with an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage.
Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid, $74.95 at Alpha-H
It may sound too good to be true, which is exactly why I, a skincare sceptic, needed to put it to the test and see whether Liquid Gold really is worth its weight in gold.
The ingredient that puts the gold in this liquid is glycolic acid — five per cent glycolic acid at a low pH of 2.8 to 3.0, to be precise. This ingredient is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that “works to progressively resurface the skin by increasing skin turnover,” Alpha-H Dermal Therapist and Clinical Educator LeeAnne Leslie told news.com.au.
When this ultra-specific concentration of glycolic is applied, it chemically exfoliates old, redundant cells on the surface, eliminates textural irregularities, removes hyperpigmented surface cells and encourages new cells to arise. The result? Brighter, smoother, plumper and more radiant skin, sans the damage harsh physical scrubs can cause.
But Alpha-H’s bestseller is more than just a special glycolic acid. It contains a short list of complementary powerhouse skincare ingredients that fortify the effectiveness of the treatment. For instance, there’s the addition of silk proteins and licorice root extract, which “help the skin retain moisture and hydration” so, although it’s pretty potent, it’s hydrating enough that you can literally use it as a one-step treatment with no need to apply a serum or moisturiser after.
HOW DO YOU USE ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD?
After cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser in the evening, simply apply Liquid Gold to a cotton pad and swipe it over your skin. Once it’s soaked in, you can apply your favourite serums and moisturisers as usual, or, if you want faster results, simply skip all your other products and use it as a one-step treatment before heading straight to bed.
“We recommend you leave Liquid Gold to work on its own on the skin for maximum effect,” Leslie explained. “Any additional products layered on top can change the pH of the skin and reduce Liquid Gold’s efficacy.”
It’s important to point out that glycolic acid is a potent ingredient and it’s recommended for all skin types aged 25 years and over (the age when the skin’s natural turnover begins to slow down). So, newcomers and those with sensitive skin will want to start incorporating Liquid Gold slowly into their routine. Begin with using it one to two times per week and see how your skin reacts and adapts. Once your skin has become accustomed to Liquid Gold (or you’re an experienced user with other actives), it’s fine to use daily.
Just a note: you probably don’t want to be using it on the nights you’re using a vitamin A or other resurfacing product, and as always, you must – let me stress again, must – wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen the next morning.
Aside from this, Liquid Gold isn’t just great for your face — it can also be used on your body to slough off dead skin cells. Cracked heels? Rough elbows and knees? Bumpy armpits? Bikini line ingrowns? A regular swipe across any rough patches will keep your body silky smooth.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD?
A 100ml bottle of the Alpha-H Liquid Gold will set you back $74.95 and is purchasable directly through the Alpha-H website. Free shipping is available for orders over $60 and you’ll also receive a free seven-pack of Reusable Bamboo Cotton Pads to use with your Liquid Gold. It’s also available in a 30ml size ($25.95), perfect if you want to try the product first before committing to a full-sized bottle.
You can also purchase Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold from various leading Australian stockists, including Adore Beauty, Sephora and Myer.
ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD REVIEW
I tried Alpha-H’s Liquid Gold for 15 days, using it every second day as the first step in my evening skincare routine. Here are my thoughts …
As a bit of context, I have sensitive combination skin and often suffer from hormonal acne breakouts, which are further aggravated by my high level of stress. My skin is also as temperamental as my moods and introducing new products is quite the guessing game because I never know how my skin will react. It’s no wonder I have an extremely rigid skin routine I hardly ever deviate from.
It’s safe to say that despite Liquid Gold having such a prestigious reputation, my skin was really going to give it a run for its money.
On the first night of the trial period, I soaked a cotton pad with some Liquid Gold and swept it across my face. I’m not going to lie — there was a strong tingling sensation, which had me worried after experiencing plenty of bad reactions from trialling strong active products in the past. But I knew I needed to persist, regardless of the outcome.
Erring on the side of caution, I then followed this up with my regular light serum, eye cream and moisturiser. Then, in the morning after applying my morning skincare products, I finished with a liberal amount of Alpha-H’s best-selling Dawn to Dusk SPF 50+ Serum ($64.95).
I was also curious to see what this Liquid Gold could do for my chicken skin. No, sadly not the delicious, crispy kind — instead, I refer to the small cluster of pinkish dots often found on the backs of arms, also known as keratosis pilaris. While a harmless skin condition, it’s always been one of my biggest insecurities and I know my flare-ups occur during the cooler months when my skin is prone to dryness. So, in an attempt to keep it at bay, I swept a Liquid Gold-soaked cotton pad across my upper arms a few times throughout the trial period.
THE VERDICT
By the end of the 15 days, I could see how it was working quadruple-time as a toner, exfoliator, serum and moisturiser, which, coming from someone devoted to a regimented 10-step skincare routine, was a big shock to realise this one product epitomised the ‘less is more’ concept.
I quickly came to understand that the initial tingling sensation was definitely the good it’s-doing-its-job kind in this situation — and the strength of this sensation began to dissipate as my skin adapted to the acid concoction. In the second week of the trial when I felt more confident using it, I skipped my serum and moisturiser like LeeAnne suggested, to get the full effects of the glycolic acid.
It was quite amazing how my skin immediately felt fresher and cleaner after application, plus, it absorbed in so quickly, leaving no heavy or sticky feeling (a massive tick of approval). While there was no doubt I noticed my complexion looked brighter in the mornings after applying it, I saw more visible results around the eighth day — the stubborn redness around my jowl area subsided, acne scarring around my chin area started to clear up and as I write this, I haven’t experienced as many rogue breakouts since incorporating the product into my routine, despite the trial taking time during a high-stress, bad-diet period of my life.
I will note that it takes about one or two months to see the most visible signs of glycolic acid working its magic, which leaves me abundant with hope if these are my results after a short 15 days. Moreover, I would love to see how I can maximise the effects of Liquid Gold with other highly recommended – and five-star rated – products from Alpha-H’s range, namely the Balancing Cleanser ($54.95), Melting Moment Cleansing Balm (from $19.95) and vitamin C Serum with 10% Ethyl Ascorbic Acid ($84.95).
But even more surprising was the wonders it did for my keratosis pilaris because I kid you not, my upper arms have never felt smoother or looked better than ever before — even after trying countless products and exfoliating techniques to rid them throughout my lifetime. If this is the result of only a fortnight’s use, I’m definitely excited to see the long-term results and also find out if it can prevent ingrown hairs on my legs. Maybe the only downside of Liquid Gold is that unless you’re looking for an ego boost, you’ll want to steer clear of it.
THE FINAL WORD
There are very few products that can weave their way into my strict skincare regime but to my surprise, Liquid Gold is now one of them.
I adore the simplicity of this multifunctional product that works just as well as it feels on the skin, both for my face and body. Of course, lifestyle factors like diet, sleep and stress play a part in skin health, so making positive choices in these areas will help maintain a clear skin complexion and boost the effectiveness of Liquid Gold, or any other skincare products you invest in.
Aside from the impressive results, I’m pleasantly surprised how a 25-year-old cult product has remained pretty affordable, especially compared to a lot of other hyped (thanks, TikTok) products on the market. As a frugal single girl living in Sydney, it’s a major saving grace knowing I’m not missing out on skimping on expensive clinical peel treatments now I know this single $75 product can practically achieve the same results.
Pretentious in name but humble in price and incredibly game-changing in results. In other words, your ego is in terrible danger.
REVIEW OF THE RETINOL REEBOT EXFOLIATING BODY TREATMENT
The brand has also released a new product that is sure to also reach cult status. The Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment is the latest product to hit the market.
Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment, $49.95 at Alpha-H
Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment
Formulated with retinol and glycolic acid, the overnight treatment has been proven to visibly firm in just two weeks. Plus, it also helps to improve the look of sun damage, crepiness, redness and uneven texture. It can be used like a regular body moisturiser but because it does contain retinol, it’s best to only use around three nights a week on alternate evenings.
Customers are already seeing some miracle results too.
“Loved the smell of the product and it felt really nice going on, soaked into the skin quickly and really well, not sticky at all. I noticed after 2 uses my skin felt a lot softer and no more dryness,” wrote one five-star review.
“I’ve always struggled with caring enough to moisturise anything other than my face, but after trying the Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment I can safely say I’m a body care convert,” wrote another.
“The subtle scent is lovely and makes you want to take the moment to apply the product. It sinks in super quick, isn’t greasy and leaves skin feeling instantly soft.
“I really noticed a difference in how my skin felt after using it for a month and definitely noticed a difference in the redness and tone of my skin.”
More Coverage
You can shop Liquid Gold at Alpha-H or from leading stockists, including Adore Beauty, Sephora and Myer. Always read the label and follow directions for use.
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