cleen beauty PHA Face Toner Versus The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of cleen beauty PHA Face Toner versus The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on November 06, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide and PHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, 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.

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cleen beauty PHA Face Toner

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

Toner American Brand United States

Toner British Brand United Kingdom

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.

Toner

Price

Shop

Buy PHA Face Toner

Starts at $9.93

Shop

Buy Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

Starts at $14.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner 21 ingredients

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner 21 ingredients

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

BHA

PHA

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting (2)

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

PHA

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Acne Fighting

Brightening (2)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner 21 ingredients

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

Water • Hamamelis Virginiana Water • Butylene Glycol • Glycerin • Gluconolactone • Niacinamide • Squalane • Salicylic Acid • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Sea Water • Cereus Grandiflorus Flower Extract • Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Opuntia Vulgaris Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Benzoic Acid • Amylopectin • Polydextrose • Dextrin

Water • Propanediol • Gluconolactone • Niacinamide • 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

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: 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

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: 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

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

Gluconolactone

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs have a larger structure than AHAs and BHAs and are more gentle. It is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.

When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This helps improve texture and brightens the skin.

Gluconolactone is a humectant and helps draw moisture to your skin. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.

PHAs also exhibit antioxidant activity by neutralizing free-radical molecules. This can help with anti-aging.

In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells. However, we still recommend wearing SPF especially after using exfoliating ingredients.

Learn more about Gluconolactone

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

Niacinamide

What it does: Smoothing

Community Rating: Loved

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 Niacinamide

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Sodium Benzoate

What it does: Masking, Preservative

Community Rating: 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

cleen beauty PHA Face Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

Potassium Sorbate

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: 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.