Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of CeraVe Hydrating Toner versus CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water .
Last updated on July 19, 2023. Published on May 26, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
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 need an update? Let us know.
Toner
Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.
Makeup Remover
Makeup removers work to remove makeup from the skin.
Ingredient Info
CeraVe Hydrating Toner 25 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
CeraVe Hydrating Toner 25 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 6 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 5 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
CeraVe Hydrating Toner 25 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30 • Peg-240/Hdi Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether • Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Potassium Laurate • Ceramide EOP • Carbomer • Niacinamide • Sodium Hydroxide • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Cholesterol • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin • Tocopherol • Citric Acid • Phytosphingosine • Xanthan Gum • Ethylhexylglycerin
Water • Propanediol • Peg-6 Caprylate/Caprate • Glycerin • Ceramide Ns • Caprylhydroxamic Acid • Niacinamide • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Glucamine • Sodium Hyaluronate • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Rhamnose • Glucose • Glucuronic Acid • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Phytosphingosine • Cholesterol • Xanthan Gum • Carbomer
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 1.
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.
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 PropanediolCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 2.
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 GlycerinCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 4.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 15.
Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 16.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.
Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.
CeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 12.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 20.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamideCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 7.
Sodium 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 HyaluronateCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 10.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier and surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally. Surfactants reduce surface tension, making it easier to rinse pollutants off skin.
Due to its relation to lauric acid, it may provide antimicrobial benefits.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl LactylateCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 17.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 11.
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 18.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 18.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.
Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosineCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 17.
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCeraVe Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water contains this as ingredient number 19.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
CeraVe Hydrating Toner 25 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
CeraVe Hydrating Toner 25 ingredients
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
CeraVe Hydrating Micellar Water 20 ingredients
It gets rid off makeup effectively and does trigger FA or clog my pores. It's not main Cleanser, but it's my favorite to remove makeup.
It gets rid off makeup effectively and does trigger FA or clog my pores. It's not main Cleanser, but it's my favorite to remove makeup.
I put this in a small spritzer bottle and spray my face, neck and décolleté nightly and then gently wipe with a soft cotton pad as my first cleanser. It removes sweat, dirt, makeup. I follow with a second gentle cleanser and it leaves my...
I put this in a small spritzer bottle and spray my face, neck and décolleté nightly and then gently wipe with a soft cotton pad as my first cleanser. It removes sweat, dirt, makeup. I follow with a second gentle cleanser and it leaves my skin perfectly prepped for my skin care routine.
In the morning I will sometimes follow the same spray and wipe routine, but followed only by a rinse of water afterwards before applying my skin care.
I highly recommend this.
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