Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion Versus PCA Skin Hydrating Toner

Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion Versus PCA Skin Hydrating Toner

This hydrating toner is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice to hydrate skin and calm redness.

This hydrating toner is formulated around Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

No key ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Propanediol

Glycerin

Propylene Glycol

PPG-26-Buteth-26

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Ethylhexylglycerin

Maris Aqua

Parfum

Caprylyl Glycol

Disodium EDTA

Sodium Citrate

Limonene

Phenethyl Alcohol

Laminaria Digitata Extract

Linalool

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Geraniol

Saccharide Isomerate

Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Citral

Citronellol

Coumarin

Crocus Sativus Flower Extract

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Maris Aqua, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Citrate, Limonene, Phenethyl Alcohol, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Linalool, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Geraniol, Saccharide Isomerate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract

Phenoxyethanol

Polysorbate 20

Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract

Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract

Panthenol

Oenothera Biennis Root Extract

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Sodium Lactate

Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract

Sodium PCA

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Carrageenan

Jania Rubens Extract

Ascorbic Acid

Water, Glycerin, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Propanediol, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Oenothera Biennis Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil, Sodium Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf/Stem Extract, Sodium PCA, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Carrageenan, Jania Rubens Extract, Ascorbic Acid

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Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Citric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) naturally found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes.

Like other AHAs, citric acid can exfoliate skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.

However, this exfoliating effect only happens at high concentrations (20%) which can be hard to find in cosmetic products.

Due to this, citric acid is usually included in small amounts as a pH adjuster. This helps keep products slightly more acidic and compatible with skin's natural pH.

In skincare formulas, citric acid can:

While it can provide some skin benefits, research shows lactic acid and glycolic acid are generally more effective and less irritating exfoliants.

Most citric acid used in skincare today is made by fermenting sugars (usually from molasses). This synthetic version is identical to the natural citrus form but easier to stabilize and use in formulations.

Rosacea skin has a lower threshold for acids generally, with 62.5% of rosacea subjects in one study reacting to lactic acid in a sting test. This is why we mark citric acid as a potential rosacea trigger.

However, this ingredient shows up as a pH adjuster or chelator at roughly 0.1-1% in many products. These low levels are unlikely to be an issue for rosacea skin and becomes a potential trigger at exfoliating concentrations (20%). Because everybody's skin is unique, we recommend a patch test if you are unsure.

Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.

This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:

On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.

One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).

Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.

You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

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.

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!

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