Skin science article
Benton PHA Peeling Toner Versus The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner
Benton PHA Peeling Toner Versus The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner This smoothing toner is formulated around Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water and Lactobionic Acid to refine skin texture and calm redness. This smoothing toner is formulated around Gluconol
Benton PHA Peeling Toner Versus The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner
This smoothing toner is formulated around Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water and Lactobionic Acid to refine skin texture and calm redness.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Gluconolactone and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water
Pentylene Glycol
Lactobionic Acid
Glycerin
Sodium PCA
Propanediol
Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract
Oleanolic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Gluconate
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract
Ceramide NP
Allantoin
Butylene Glycol
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Water, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water, Pentylene Glycol, Lactobionic Acid, Glycerin, Sodium PCA, Propanediol, Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract, Oleanolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Gluconate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract, Ceramide NP, Allantoin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Gluconolactone 3%
Niacinamide 3%
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Potassium Sorbate
Sodium Benzoate
PPG-26-Buteth-26
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
1,2-Hexanediol
Caprylyl Glycol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Citric Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone 3%, Niacinamide 3%, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
Reviews
Alternatives
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Pentylene Glycol (1,2-pentanediol) is a multitasking little diol with three main roles in a formula:
Research on alkanediols (the family pentylene glycol belongs to) show they work by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This disruption helps the primary preservative system in a product work more effectively at lower doses.
On the safety side, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded this ingredient to be safe as used in current cosmetic practices + concentrations.
Typical use levels in a formula run about 1-5%.
Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!