Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens 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
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Betaine
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPolyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Glucomannan
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Phytate
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Propanediol, Betaine, Isopentyldiol, Water, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Honey Extract, Ceramide NP, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Panthenol, Squalane, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Arginine, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Glucomannan, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Maltodextrin
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Dimethiconol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Superoxide Dismutase, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic 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 WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium 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.
It 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 BenzoateHydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.
This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Farmacy Honey Milk Hydrating Essence 27 ingredients
So I think this feels fabulous as it goes on the skin. It does feel tacky as it dries down,almost like a primer. So I actually haven’t had to use anything but this to get the same effect! If you are a dry skin girly you will enjoy, however oily girls may want to beware and don’t overdo. It does have a bit of sheen to it as it dries but looks great. (Again..mature dry girl here!) there is no scent Show more
Super hydrating, yet oil free and only one ingredient that's not quite fungal acne safe. I'm super impressed. I'll probably use this forever. It's really difficult to find any product like this. My skin is combo (leaning towards oily), acne-prone, and dehydrated during the winter.
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Holy Grail.
I started using this toner when I was on Isotretinoin. I got off Isotretinoin one year ago and have refused to let it go. This toner is what water drench and hydro boost are trying to be. After using this my skin feels like a desert that finally got rain. I don't even use cotton pads anymore. I pour it in my hands and directly apply.
Pro Tip: Use two applications during the winter! = Show more
A lovely moisturizing milky toner. I've put it in a spray bottle and like to apply two layers
