Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner Versus Hero Cosmetics Pore Release

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner versus Hero Cosmetics Pore Release .

Published on March 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

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, 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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Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release

Toner American Brand United States

Exfoliator 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.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy Balancing Capsule Toner

Starts at $12.99

Shop

Buy Pore Release

Starts at $19.99

Ingredient Info

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

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release 19 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

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release 19 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)

Vitamin E

Hyaluronic Acid (5)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)

Good For Oily Skin (2)

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (3)

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (5)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (4)

Rosacea (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

BHA

PHA

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin (2)

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture (2)

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release 19 ingredients

Water • Butylene Glycol • Dipropylene Glycol • Glycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Betaine • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water • Hamamelis Virginiana Extract • Zinc PCA • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate • Hyaluronic Acid • Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate • Potassium Hyaluronate • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide • Citrus Junos Fruit Extract • Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract • Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract • Mandelic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Tocopherol • Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate • Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract • Bifida Ferment Lysate • Eclipta Prostrata Extract • C12-14 Pareth-12 • Gelatin • Tromethamine • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Allantoin • Trehalose • Pentylene Glycol • Agar • Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum • Acacia Senegal Gum • Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Cellulose Gum • Carbomer • Ubiquinone • Xanthan Gum • Xanthophylls • Ethylhexylglycerin

Water • Butylene Glycol • Gluconolactone • Arginine • Salicylic Acid • Glycolic Acid • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Nelumbo Nucifera Root Water • Glycerin • Hydrolyzed Gardenia Florida Extract • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Sodium Levulinate • Glyceryl Caprylate • Maltodextrin • Sodium Anisate • Sodium Hydroxide • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Citric Acid

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release contains this as ingredient number 1.

Butylene Glycol

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.

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release contains this as ingredient number 9.

Glycolic Acid

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner contains this as ingredient number 25.

Hero Cosmetics Pore Release contains this as ingredient number 6.

Biosaccharide Gum-1

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.

This ingredient is a a skin conditioning ingredient and helps moisturize the skin.

It is also naturally found in fruits such as apples and pears.

Learn more about Biosaccharide Gum-1

Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner contains this as ingredient number 44.