Thayers Exfoliating 2% AHA Toner Versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner

Thayers Exfoliating 2% AHA Toner Versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner

This toner is formulated around Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice to calm irritation and reduce redness.

This smoothing toner is formulated around Glycolic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

No key ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Sodium Hydroxide

Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Saccharum Officinarum Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Chamomilla Recutita Extract

Acer Saccharum Extract

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil

Citrus Limon Fruit Extract

Pvp

Isoceteth-20

Disodium EDTA

Propylene Glycol

Citric Acid

Potassium Sorbate

Sodium Benzoate

Phenoxyethanol

Chlorphenesin

Limonene

Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Pvp, Isoceteth-20, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Limonene

Glycolic Acid

Propanediol

Butylene Glycol

Alcohol

PPG-26-Buteth-26

Betaine

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract

Ethylhexylglycerin

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

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".

The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.

Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.

Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.

It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.

Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.

Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.

Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.

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.

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

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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