Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner US

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner Versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner Detailed comparison of Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Toner US. This pore-care toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Panthenol to refine the look of pores and balance excess oil. This oil-control toner is formulated around Capryloyl Salicylic Acid to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores. Water Glycerin Butylene Glycol Niacinamide Polysorbate 20 Adenosine Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract Arctium Lappa Seed Oil Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters Sodium PCA Panthenol Sodium Hyaluronate Ceramide NP Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP Phytosphingosine Cholesterol Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate Oleth-10 Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate Caprylyl Glycol Hexylene Glycol Sodium Citrate Xanthan Gum Trisodium EDTA Phenoxyethanol Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Oleth-10, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol Alcohol Denat. Propylene Glycol Disodium EDTA Capryloyl Salicylic Acid Citric Acid Parfum Water, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Parfum 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. Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative. Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions. The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants. 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!