Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry Versus Hydropeptide Pre-Treatment Toner
Updated on April 09, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens and fragrances
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
Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry 29 ingredients
Hydropeptide Pre-Treatment Toner 36 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry 29 ingredients
Hydropeptide Pre-Treatment Toner 36 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthoxydiglycol
HumectantOleth-10
EmulsifyingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Menthol
Masking
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium Lactate
BufferingNonoxynol-9
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Menthyl Lactate
MaskingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Diazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Water, Ethoxydiglycol, Oleth-10, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Citrus Medica Limonum Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Allantoin, Sodium PCA, Menthol, Glycereth-26, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lactate, Nonoxynol-9, Phenoxyethanol, Menthyl Lactate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Diazolidinyl Urea
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicAcetyl Hexapeptide-30
Skin Conditioning
Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Limon Bud Extract
HumectantArctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
Humectant
Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Geranium Maculatum Extract
TonicCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Extract
EmollientCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract
Emulsion Stabilising
Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Limonene
Perfuming
Citral
Perfuming
Hydroxycitronellal
Perfuming
Water, Lactic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Xanthan Gum, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Propanediol, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-30, Arginine/Lysine Polypeptide, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon Bud Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Menthyl Ethylamido Oxalate, Morus Alba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Geranium Maculatum Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Citrus Limon Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Limonene, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Acer Saccharum Extract yet.
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 AllantoinThis type of green tea plant is native to China. It is closely related to Camellia sinensis. Both plants have very similar properties.
Camellia Oleifera Leaf is rich in antioxidants. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.
Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.
Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.
Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.
Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.
Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower ExtractCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract is more commonly known as the bitter orange. Native to Southeast Asia, this extract is commonly found in both cosmetics and foods.
The bitter orange possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
It can also be mildly exfoliating due to the citric acid, an AHA.
Citrus fruits are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamin C.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit ExtractThis extract comes from cucumber. Cucumbers are mostly made up of water (95%), and the other 5% is composed of: vitamin C, caffeic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, and other minerals.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory, barrier repair, and hydrating properties.
They contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin.
The amino acids found in cucumbers help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle (it's an important part of our skin barrier). This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, this is generally a non-irritating ingredient.
Fun fact: Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.
Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit ExtractPolysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.
Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.
The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.
Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20This ingredient is also called sugarcane extract. It is a moisturizing humectant and has skin soothing properties.
Similar to hyaluronic acid, sugarcane can attract moisture to your skin.
Glycolic acid is a derivative of sugarcane. While glycolic acid is an AHA with exfoliating properties, sugarcane is not an AHA.
A study from 2021 found the compounds in sugarcane extract to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity. The study also suggests these compounds can inhibit skin ageing enzymes and promote collagen synthesis.
Learn more about Saccharum Officinarum ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateWe don't have a description for Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract yet.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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