Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry Versus Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry versus Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner .

Published on July 31, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones 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.

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Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner

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

Price

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Buy AHA Toner Normal/Dry

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Buy Skintelligent Toner

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry 29 ingredients

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner 23 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

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry 29 ingredients

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner 23 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing (3)

Reduces Irritation (2)

Scar Healing

Concerns

Irritating (2)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (3)

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry 29 ingredients

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner 23 ingredients

Water • Ethoxydiglycol • Oleth-10 • Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract • Butylene Glycol • Propylene Glycol • Methyl Gluceth-20 • Citrus Limon 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 • Nonyl Nonoxynol-150 • Phenoxyethanol • Menthyl Lactate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Parfum • Disodium EDTA • Diazolidinyl Urea

Water • Glycerin • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Avena Sativa Meal Extract • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Lactococcus Ferment Lysate • Epilobium Fleischeri Extract • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Tephrosia Purpurea Seed Extract • Bifida Ferment Lysate • Lactis Proteinum • Lactose • Pentylene Glycol • Propylene Glycol • Butylene Glycol • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Propanediol • Sodium PCA • Ppg-26-Buteth-26 • Disodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium Benzoate • Parfum

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.

Water

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

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

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Butylene Glycol

What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 5.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Propylene Glycol

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

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 6.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 14.

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract comes from the cucumber. Cucumis Sativus is native to South Asia and can now be found on every continent.

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-aging, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties.

Vitamin C and Caffeic acid are potent antioxidants that may help with anti-aging. Antioxidants help neutralize free-radical molecules, or unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA.

Cucumbers contain shikimate dehydrigenase, an enzyme shown to help reduce inflammation and soothe the skin. The amino acids help nourish our skin's natural acid mantle. Our acid mantle is formed from the mixing of sebum and sweat. This slightly acidic film acts as a barrier to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.

Unless you have an allergy to cucumbers, it is generally a non-irritating ingredient.

Learn more about Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 12.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Panax Ginseng Root Extract

What it does: Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic

Community Rating: Loved

Panax Ginseng Root is a popular herb from Asia. This root contains antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.

Ginseng Root helps increase skin hydration, even out texture and tone, and helps improve wrinkles.

Ginseng root helps improve blood circulation and oxygen flow. This in turn helps nourish the skin and improve wrinkles. By speeding up circulation, ginseng root can also help drain fluids.

Ginseng root contains both Vitamin D and B12. Both of these vitamins help boost collagen production in your skin. Collagen gives you skin the appearance of looking plump and firm.

Ginseng Root can also aid in decreasing inflammation.

Studies also show ginseng may help with hyperpigmentation. Ginseng disrupts the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that starts the process of skin darkening.

Historically, people in East Asia have used ginseng as both food and medicine.

Learn more about Panax Ginseng Root Extract

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 15.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

Sodium PCA

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 18.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 18.

Phenoxyethanol

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.

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 24.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 21.

Parfum

What it does: Masking, Perfuming

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

In the US, the alternative name for parfum is 'fragrance'. The term '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. One example is Calendula flower extract. Essential oil ingredients still impart a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, it can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Products use parfum often to give products a scent or cover up smells of different ingredients.

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 Parfum

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 27.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.

Disodium EDTA

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

Merle Norman AHA Toner Normal/Dry contains this as ingredient number 28.

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 20.