Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner Versus The INKEY List Lactic Acid Serum

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner Versus The INKEY List Lactic Acid Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner versus The INKEY List Lactic Acid Serum Canada. This smoothing toner is formulated around Gluconolactone and

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The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner Versus The INKEY List Lactic Acid Serum Detailed comparison of The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner versus The INKEY List Lactic Acid Serum Canada. This smoothing toner is formulated around Gluconolactone and Niacinamide to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. This smoothing serum is formulated around Lactic Acid to refine skin texture and brighten dull-looking skin. 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 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 Lactic Acid Sodium Hyaluronate Phenoxyethanol Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract Water, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Agastache Mexicana Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract 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. 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. PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is an emulsifier derived from castor oil. As an emulsifying agent, it helps other ingredients like fragrances and fat-soluble vitamins dissolve cohesively. Due to its large molecule size, it doesn't penetrate beyond the skin's surface. This ingredient has a solid regulatory track record; the CIR Expert Panel first concluded it was safe for use in cosmetics at concentrations up to 100% in 1997. A 2012 reassessment reaffirmed that finding. Safety studies have also found no irritation or evidence of toxicity. A 2019 study did find this ingredient to grow Malassezia, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. We don't have a description for PPG-26-Buteth-26 yet. 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. 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.