Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Toner Versus Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
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.
Ingredient Info
Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Toner 23 ingredients
Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Toner 23 ingredients
Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantButylene Glycol
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingTricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingRhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract
MaskingHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Houttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sedum Sarmentosum Extract
HumectantGlycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantCapryloyl Salicylic Acid
Exfoliating
Oxygen
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Rhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sedum Sarmentosum Extract, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Oxygen, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Propanediol
SolventSodium Citrate
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Whey Filtrate
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingRhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract
MaskingTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Sodium Citrate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Whey Filtrate, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Rhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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.
Learn more about PropanediolGlycerin 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 Glycerin1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
We don't have a description for Tricholoma Matsutake Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Rhododendron Chrysanthum Leaf Extract yet.
Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.
This ingredient helps hydrate, soothe, and protect the skin.
What makes hyaluronic acid so hydrating? It has the capacity to bind or hold large amounts of water.
Fun fact: It is already naturally found in our bodies, such as the fluids of our eyes and our joints.
Studies find this ingredient to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. This can help speed up wound-healing.
Hyaluronic acid can be irritating if the molecule has a low-molecular weight, or if the molecules are small.
One study found low-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be pro-inflammatory, meaning some people may experience irritation. This is because our bodies use hyaluronic acid in the wound-healing process to signal to our bodies, via irritation, that something needs healing.
The same study found high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid to be anti-inflammatory.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.
Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.
One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.
Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.
Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:
Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateSodium 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.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Toner 23 ingredients
Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Acwell Real Aqua Balancing Toner 23 ingredients
Good Molecules Glycolic Exfoliating Toner 22 ingredients
Harsh for sensitive skin. Used this toner on a patch of clogged pores and saw improvement over time. I never use on my entire face as I have sensitive skin and this product burned in those areas. Used every 3 days.
