Skin science article
rhode Glazing Milk Essence Versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner
rhode Glazing Milk Essence Versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner This hydrating essence is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier. This smoothing toner is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refi
rhode Glazing Milk Essence Versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner
This hydrating essence is formulated around Sodium Hyaluronate and Ceramide NP to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
Coconut Alkanes
Glycerin
Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate
Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate
Tocopheryl Acetate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Ceramide NP
Ceramide AP
Ceramide EOP
Beta-Glucan
Copper Gluconate
Magnesium Aspartate
Oleic Acid
Linoleic Acid
Linolenic Acid
Xanthan Gum
Zinc Gluconate
Euterpe Oleracea Sterols
Phosphatidylglycerol
Phytosphingosine
Caprylyl Glycol
Cholesterol
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate
Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose
Carbomer
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
Pentylene Glycol
1,2-Hexanediol
Sodium Phytate
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium Benzoate
Chlorphenesin
Citric Acid
Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Oleate, Polyglyceryl-10 Mono/Dioleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Beta-Glucan, Copper Gluconate, Magnesium Aspartate, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Gluconate, Euterpe Oleracea Sterols, Phosphatidylglycerol, Phytosphingosine, Caprylyl Glycol, Cholesterol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Cetyl Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Pentylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid
Glycolic Acid
Propanediol
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Sodium Hydroxide
Butylene Glycol
Alcohol
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Betaine
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Water, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Betaine, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
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.
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.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
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!