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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic versus IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores .

Published on November 07, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe toners. They have a total of 14 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA and exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and oily skin

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain harsh alcohols

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 British Brand United Kingdom

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 Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic

Starts at $17.50
Shop

Buy Bye Bye Pores

Starts at $32.00

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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Acne Fighting (3)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

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

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Exfoliators (3)

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying (3)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (4)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (5)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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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 Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 1.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.

Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.

One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.

Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

Learn more about Alcohol Denat.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 2.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
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

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 3.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 4.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 5.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and 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.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 6.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 8.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent, Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Liked

Kaolin is a clay. It is used for oil control and to help minimize pores. Like other clays, kaolin has the ability to absorb excess sebum or oil. This can help clean out pores and mattify the skin.

Some types of kaolin may have exfoliating properties. When water is added to kaolin, it becomes a paste with small abrasive particles.

Most kaolin is a white color, but may be pink/orange/red depending on where it comes from.

The name 'kaolin' comes from a Chinese village named 'Gaoling'. Kaolin clay comes from rocks rich in kaolinite. Kaolinite, the mineral, has a silicate layered structure. Kaolinite is formed from chemical weathering of aluminum siilicate minerals.

Besides skincare, kaolin is commonly used to make glossy paper, in ceramics, toothpaste, and as medicine to soothe stomach issues.

Learn more about Kaolin

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 9.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

We don't have a description for Zinc Gluconate.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 10.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Loved

Oatmeal flour is created by grinding down the kernels of oats. Oatmeal helps sooth, hydrate, and protect the skin.

Learn all about the skin benefits of colloidal oatmeal here.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 12.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 17.

11
What it does: Masking, Refreshing

Menthoxypropanediol can cause irritation.

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 13.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 12.

12
What it does: Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Community Rating: Disliked

Hamamelis Virginiana Water is made used distilled parts of the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America.

The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation while the name 'Witch Hazel' is used when it is an active drug ingredient. Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel are distilled in denatured alcohol.

Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient. The tannin in witch hazel has a drying effect when used on skin and constricts proteins. This helps minimize the look of large pores. The tannins present and the fragrance may be sensitizing. The catechins in witch hazel have anti-inflammatory properties while the gallic acid is antibacterial.

Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation, which was then used by early settlers to North America.

Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana Water

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 14.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 14.

13
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 Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 15.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 15.

14
What it does: Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Salicylic 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 Acid

Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Refining Tonic contains this as ingredient number 16.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

63% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
41% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
48% are disliked or very disliked
3% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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