Versus

BYOMA Brightening Toner Versus Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner

Toner
Toner
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for 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, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Balancing Capsule Toner

Water

Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Betaine

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Antiseborrhoeic
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Zinc PCA

Humectant
Good for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Potassium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide

Emulsion Stabilising

Citrus Junos Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Cleansing

Mandelic Acid

Antimicrobial
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Humectant
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Skin Conditioning

C12-14 Pareth-12

Emulsifying

Gelatin

Tromethamine

Buffering

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Allantoin

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Trehalose

Humectant

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Agar

Masking

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum

Emulsion Stabilising

Acacia Senegal Gum

Masking

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Skin Conditioning

Cellulose Gum

Emulsion Stabilising
0 / 0

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Ubiquinone

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Xanthophylls

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

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

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 Water
Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Salix Alba Bark Extract has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.

Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.

Several other components in salix alba bark extract also contain antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging as they neutralize harmful free-radical molecules.

Willow Bark extract has been used for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations used white willow to help treat pain and fevers.

Learn more about Salix Alba Bark Extract
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

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 preservatives 
Skin Conditioning

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.

Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol
Antimicrobial

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

As an AHA, Mandelic Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.

Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Mandelic Acid

When to use

262 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
61 Routines
56% use in am
44% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

BYOMA Brightening Toner 19 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Works Well (2) Irritating (2) Light Scent (2)
liamgrand's avatar

Liam Grand

2 months ago
Review

works really well for my acne prone skin it did sting a little bit the first few times but now my skin is use to it :)

#great value
#light scent
#works well
kassia's avatar

Kassia

4 months ago
Review

Stings the skin and eyes like crazy, with an absolutely terrible alcohol smell. This is so bad that it turned me off of BYOMA for ages and almost made me miss out on their excellent milky toner.

#irritating
#strong scent

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Irritating (1) Light (1)
Halo777's avatar

Halo777

4 months ago
Review

Felt really good on my skin and absorbed quickly but for some reason left rashy and itchy patches after I had gone through about half the bottle?

#irritating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent