Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner Versus Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner versus Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner .

Published on April 18, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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 Skintelligent Toner

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free 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 Skintelligent Toner

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Buy Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Starts at $24.50

Ingredient Info

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

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner 23 ingredients

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner 21 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 Skintelligent Toner 23 ingredients

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner 21 ingredients

Benefits

Hydrating (3)

Redness Reducing (2)

Reduces Irritation

Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Benefits

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation (2)

Scar Healing

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner 23 ingredients

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner 21 ingredients

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

Water • Propanediol • Propylene Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Sodium PCA • Sodium Benzoate • Allantoin • Chamomilla Recutita Extract • Glucose • Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Camphor • Urtica Dioica Extract • Equisetum Arvense Extract • Betula Alba Leaf Extract • CI 19140 • Potassium Sorbate • CI 14700 • CI 42090 • Sodium Hydroxide • Citric Acid

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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 14.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

Propanediol

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

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 17.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 18.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 21.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Sodium Benzoate

What it does: Masking, Preservative

Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 22.

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

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