ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer Versus Balea Beauty Expert Hydration Toner
Updated on January 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, 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 Hydration Toner 29 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
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Balea Beauty Expert Hydration Toner 29 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
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
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Citric 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Urea
Buffering
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Sodium Lactate
BufferingPCA
Humectant
Magnesium Aspartate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Phragmites Karka Extract
Skin ConditioningPoria Cocos Extract
Skin ConditioningPantolactone
Humectant
Serine
Masking
Alanine
MaskingGlycine
Buffering
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin Conditioning
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Lysine Hcl
Skin Conditioning
Threonine
Arginine
Masking
Copper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Proline
Skin ConditioningDisodium Phosphate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningSodium Benzoate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Glycerin, Panthenol, Betaine, Allantoin, Urea, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Magnesium Aspartate, Zinc Gluconate, Phragmites Karka Extract, Poria Cocos Extract, Pantolactone, Serine, Alanine, Glycine, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glutamic Acid, Lysine Hcl, Threonine, Arginine, Copper Gluconate, Proline, Disodium Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinBetaine 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 BetaineCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (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.
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 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 PanthenolPantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.
As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.
Phenoxyethanol 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.
Sodium 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 BenzoateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
ISANA 120H Liquid Moisturizer 28 ingredients
Balea Beauty Expert Hydration Toner 29 ingredients
Reviews
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