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Updated on February 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Transparent Lab Balancing Peel
Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner
Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner
Toner
South Korean Brand South Korea

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Balancing Peel
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Anthemis Nobilis Flower Water Masking, Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is created by distilling parts of the Roman Chamomile flower.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Glycolic Acid Buffering
AHA  •  7 Benefits  •  2 Concerns

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine Emulsifying

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.

Disliked Full details ->
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA  •  Preservative  •  5 Benefits  •  4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
3 Benefits

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Mandelic Acid Antimicrobial
AHA  •  2 Benefits  •  2 Concerns

Mandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.

Lactic Acid Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
AHA  •  6 Benefits  •  3 Concerns

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->
Potassium Sorbate Preservative
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

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.

Acne Exfoliating Toner
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA  •  Preservative  •  5 Benefits  •  4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Arginine Masking, Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Cucumis Sativus Fruit Water.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Centella Asiatica Extract Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing
2 Benefits

Centella Asiatica Extract (Cica) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

Malpighia Emarginata Fruit Extract contains antioxidants and polysaccharides. Antioxidants protect your skin from free-radical damage.

Unknown Full details ->
Lactic Acid Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
AHA  •  6 Benefits  •  3 Concerns

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Glycolic Acid Buffering
AHA  •  7 Benefits  •  2 Concerns

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Potassium Sorbate Preservative
Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative
Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA  •  4 Benefits  •  2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Buffering
Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Liked

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid
Buffering, Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Loved

Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.

Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.

Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.

Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Lactic Acid
Masking, Preservative
Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate
Preservative
Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Balancing Peel
9
1
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Acne Exfoliating Toner
8
2
3
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

5 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
20% use every on_specific_days
184 Routines
29% use in am
71% use in pm
62% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Transparent Lab Balancing Peel 13 ingredients

Balancing Peel hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner 14 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 6 ratings
Great Value (2) Light Scent (2) Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) No Scent (1)
Butter's avatar

Butter

4 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

My holygrail exfoliator, this product cleared my skin quickly after a terrible breakout of whiteheads from another product. My skin texture has...

My holygrail exfoliator, this product cleared my skin quickly after a terrible breakout of whiteheads from another product. My skin texture has also improved and my pimples heal quicker. Unlike a lot of exfoliators I've tried, zero irritation, not even tingling. It absorbs well with no sticky finish it does have a weird texture (that I clearly don't know how to describe well) almost like dry water? (Doesn't make sense I know lol) There's also a slight scent, nothing overwhelming but that typically "chemical" smell. The main problem is the price for the shipping (if you live outside the US, if you're in the US this isn't a problem) is extremely expensive ($40) so I did buy a few in bulk (as well as other items) to reduce shipping costs over time.

kamiisamas's avatar

kamiisamas

7 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

paulas choice liquid BHA, but better...? :0
i used to be a PC girlie but the prices have gone a bit out of control. after seeing dr. dray recommend...

paulas choice liquid BHA, but better...? :0
i used to be a PC girlie but the prices have gone a bit out of control. after seeing dr. dray recommend this product as a "dupe", i got it after finishing my PC bottle. i purged a little for maybe 2 days (small pimples, quickly went away) and since then the effect has been the same as PC! i'd argue slightly better because - in my experience - it's less irritating/drying and contains AHA, which my skin loves, so i dont risk drying out as often as i used to! i wouldn't say 'hydrating', but my skin doesn't feel as bare-bones as PC made it. also way cheaper ;)