ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer Versus Balea Beauty Expert Glow Toner
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 12 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA 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, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones 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
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Balea Beauty Expert Glow Toner 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Balea Beauty Expert Glow Toner 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Sorbitol
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Ectoin
Skin Conditioning
Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCalcium Chloride
AstringentEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAmylopectin
Gellan Gum
Pantolactone
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Sphingolipids
EmollientSodium Citrate
BufferingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
P-Anisic Acid
MaskingWater, Glycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Sorbitol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Niacinamide, Allantoin, Ectoin, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Calcium Chloride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Amylopectin, Gellan Gum, Pantolactone, Lactic Acid, Phospholipids, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sphingolipids, Sodium Citrate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, P-Anisic Acid
Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Sorbitol
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningSodium Lactate
BufferingSodium PCA
HumectantFructose
HumectantGlycine
Buffering
Inositol
HumectantLactic Acid
Buffering
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Urea
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Disodium Phosphate
BufferingPantolactone
HumectantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Betaine, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Fructose, Glycine, Inositol, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Urea, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Disodium Phosphate, Pantolactone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol
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 PanthenolBetaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.
This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.
Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.
Learn more about BetaineSorbitol is a sugar alcohol. It is a hydrating and moisturizing agent created from the reduction process of glucose.
Most sorbitol is usually made from potato starch. It is also found in fruits such as apples and pears.
As a humectant, Sorbitol helps draw water to the skin. This helps keep the skin hydrated. Sorbitol also helps create a thicker texture in products. You might find sorbitol in your toothpaste and other gels.
It is a non-irritating ingredient that is great for those with dry skin.
Sorbitol is a prebiotic. It helps promote the growth of healthy bacteria on your skin. The bacteria on your skin form a microbiome. This microbiome helps protect your skin from infection and harmful bacteria.
Learn more about SorbitolNiacinamide 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 NiacinamideEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Pantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Lactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidCitric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSodium 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 BenzoatePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Balea Beauty Expert Glow Toner 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Great ingredients list. For the price, it is very good. However, the liquid texture is not very appealing and it does not moisturize as it should - even considering that it is aimed at oily skin. I feel like I need to apply a big amount of the product to make any effect, in a sense, it feels too diluted in water.
Overall it is decent and it won't break sensitive skin, but a deeper moisturizer Show more
As someone with dry and sensitive skin, this is a solid product! I think this will come in especially handy for me in summer. I wear it as a second to last step and it helps to keep my hyaluronic acid serum locked it.
