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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US .

Last updated on December 29, 2023. Published on January 25, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 American Brand United States
Toner American Brand United States

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

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.

Price

Shop

Buy Clarifying Lotion 1.0

Starts at $36.00
Shop

Buy Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

Starts at $24.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)
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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.

1
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

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
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

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 7.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Hyaluronate

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 12.

5
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Trisodium EDTA.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 16.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 25.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

44% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
58% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 1.0 18 ingredients

Clarifying Lotion 1.0 hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
Suzamazen's avatar

Suzamazen

4 days ago · Oily Skin
Review

Easily the best toner for my oily, cystic acne prone skin. I had beautiful, clear skin until perimenopause, when I developed cystic acne. I’ve...

Easily the best toner for my oily, cystic acne prone skin. I had beautiful, clear skin until perimenopause, when I developed cystic acne. I’ve spent the last 2 years completely revamping my skincare routine. I’ve tried dozens of toners from every brand from Skinceuticals to CosRx. The Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing toner doesn’t dry my skin out or break me out. It instantly soothes after using a benzoyl peroxide wash. My skin feels clean, soft, and hydrated without being greasy. It’s perfect to use before applying bha or aha exfoliants and actually reduces how stripping or irritating they can be. I never used toners prior to developing cystic acne because my skin didn’t need it. This toner has dramatically improved how my other skincare products work. Everyone’s skin is different, but for me this is the perfect toner and an essential part of my skincare routine.

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