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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner versus Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 13, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe toners. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any oils 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 need an update? Let us know.

Toner American Brand United States
Toner 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.

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.

Price

Shop

Buy Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner

Shop

Buy AHA Toner Normal/Oily

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Scar Healing

Concerns

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (5)
Eczema (5)
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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.

1
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

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily contains this as ingredient number 14.

3
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

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 Allantoin

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily contains this as ingredient number 20.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

50% are loved or liked
8% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
17% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
4% have mixed ratings
57% are disliked or very disliked
4% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner.

See 3 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 14 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Oily.

See 14 alternatives
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