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Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

La Roche-Posay Soothing Lotion
Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Soothing Lotion
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Peg-8 Humectant, Solvent

PEG-8 is a synthetic polymer used as a humectant and solvent.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Poloxamer 124 Emulsifying

We don't have a description for Poloxamer 124.

Unknown Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Chlorhexidine Digluconate Antimicrobial, Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

Chlorhexidine Digluconate is a preservative.

Unknown Full details ->
Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon 2 Concerns

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract Skin Conditioning

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract comes from the witch hazel plant. The witch hazel plant is native to eastern North America. Many parts of this plant are used in skincare from its twigs to its leaves.

Unknown Full details ->
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.

Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

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.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Potassium Hydroxide Buffering

Potassium hydroxide is commonly known as caustic potash. It is used to fix the pH of a product or as a cleaning agent in soap. In cleansers, it is used for the saponification of oils.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
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
Buffering, Masking
Disliked

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 Acid

Ingredient Ratings

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

Soothing Lotion
2
4
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner
4
1
3
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

74 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
387 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay Soothing Lotion 8 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1) Drying (1)
evieloveslana's avatar

evieloveslana

6 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

irritating asf and i don’t like that it has castor oil which clogs my pores.

slaypuk's avatar

slaypuk

10 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

irritating
irritating for sensitive skin and doesn't deep clean

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner 9 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (1)
DamDamfino's avatar

DamDamfino

5 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I first starting using Thayer's witch hazel when it was in the old packaging. (circa...2010?)
At first I *loved* the new packaging because it's...

I first starting using Thayer's witch hazel when it was in the old packaging. (circa...2010?)
At first I *loved* the new packaging because it's unique and gives that old-timey vintage feel that's totally my thing.
But after using the new packaging, I hate it. The cap ALWAYS breaks at the hinge. And the cute mini travel-sized bottle is not travel-safe. It leaks if it's not upright.

I've never found Thayer's witch hazel irritating or drying.
In fact, it feels like water on my skin and leaves my skin very fresh and supple. It can help dry out my oily zones without over-drying my dry zones. And I find it very calming and soothing.

I can't use micellar water because they break me out - so sometimes this *IS* my micellar water. It's better than going to bed with makeup on when I'm lazy and tired.
And I genuinely do feel like it keeps my skin happier than when I don't use it.