Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum Versus Trinny London Find Your Balance BHA Toner
Updated on October 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA, BHA 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, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, 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
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
Trinny London Find Your Balance BHA Toner 26 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
Trinny London Find Your Balance BHA Toner 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventC9-12 Alkane
SolventFragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentHydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Succinic Acid
BufferingFragaria Vesca Leaf Extract
AstringentAzelaic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Bisabolol
Masking
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glucosamine
Zingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingSaccharomyces Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Amylopectin
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Succinoglycan
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lauroyl Lysine
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Lecithin
EmollientAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Water, Methylpropanediol, C9-12 Alkane, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Salicylic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Mandelic Acid, Succinic Acid, Fragaria Vesca Leaf Extract, Azelaic Acid, Allantoin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Niacinamide, Glucosamine, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Saccharomyces Ferment, Dextrin, Polydextrose, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Amylopectin, Butylene Glycol, Succinoglycan, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lauroyl Lysine, Sodium Phytate, Lecithin, Aminomethyl Propanol, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingGlycerin
Humectant
Methylpropanediol
SolventSalix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningMalva Sylvestris Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCinnamomum Cassia Bark
Skin ConditioningSanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract
CleansingZingiber Officinale Root Extract
MaskingUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAcetum
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPropanediol
SolventSalicylic Acid
Masking
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantAmylopectin
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Phenylpropanol
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Mandelic Acid, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Malva Sylvestris Flower Extract, Cinnamomum Cassia Bark, Sanguisorba Officinalis Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale Root Extract, Urtica Dioica Extract, Xanthan Gum, Acetum, Caprylyl Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Phenylpropanol, Lactic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate
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 WaterMethylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.
As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.
Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.
Learn more about MethylpropanediolSalicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolMandelic 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 AcidNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideZingiber Officinale is more commonly known as ginger.
Ginger root has antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial properties.
The antioxidant properties help protect your body from free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. As a result, ginger may help slow down signs of aging such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles.
Studies show ginger inhibits the enzyme that breaks down collagen. It also helps with:
This ingredient has no negative side-effects and is safe to use unless one has a specific allergy to it.
Ginger originates from Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It is now a common spice used in many cultures.
Learn more about Zingiber Officinale Root ExtractDextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.
As an emulsifier, dextrin prevents ingredients from separating. This helps elongate a product's shelf life.
Studies show coating UV filters with dextrin prevents these ingredients from being absorbed. This helps UV ingredients last longer on the skin.
Learn more about DextrinWe don't have a description for Polydextrose yet.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolWe don't have a description for Amylopectin yet.
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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
Trinny London Find Your Balance BHA Toner 26 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum 36 ingredients
Amazing
not worth it
feels sticky and fragrance is super strong ur better off getting a different exfoliant and its super expensive for what it is
