La Prairie Cellular Softening & Balancing Lotion Versus La Mer The Tonic
Updated on February 12, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
La Prairie Cellular Softening & Balancing Lotion 36 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 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
La Prairie Cellular Softening & Balancing Lotion 36 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin
HumectantPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningGlycoproteins
Skin Conditioning
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Equisetum Arvense Extract
AstringentPropylene Glycol
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Lecithin
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingParfum
Masking
Limonene
Perfuming
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
CI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Lactobacillus Ferment, Bisabolol, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lecithin, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Alcohol, Sodium Hydroxide, Parfum, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Citronellol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 17200
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Laminaria Saccharina Extract
Skin ProtectingAlgae Extract
Emollient
Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Emollient
Medicago Sativa Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seedcake
Abrasive
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal
Abrasive
Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil
Perfuming
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningCopper Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantMagnesium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningZinc Gluconate
Skin Conditioning
Tocopheryl Succinate
Antioxidant
Niacin
Smoothing
Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
PPG-28-Buteth-35
Skin ConditioningPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sucrose
Humectant
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Linalool
Perfuming
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantMethyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Algae Extract, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Medicago Sativa Seed Powder, Helianthus Annuus Seedcake, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Seed Meal, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Gluconate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Gluconate, Magnesium Gluconate, Zinc Gluconate, Tocopheryl Succinate, Niacin, Sesamum Indicum Seed Powder, Butylene Glycol, PPG-28-Buteth-35, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Polysorbate 20, Sucrose, Caffeine, Disodium EDTA, Benzophenone-4, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum, Linalool, CI 19140, CI 17200
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCi 17200 is a synthetic reddish-purple dye.
Citric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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
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When to use
La Prairie Cellular Softening & Balancing Lotion 36 ingredients
La Mer The Tonic 34 ingredients
Reviews
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