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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner versus The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner .

Published on May 15, 2022

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances and oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Toner American Brand United States
Toner British Brand United Kingdom

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

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.

Price

Shop

Buy Skintelligent Toner

Shop

Buy Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant 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

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea
Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

1
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.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
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.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
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.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

6
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.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
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 Skintelligent Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.

The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

43% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
35% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 49 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Merle Norman Skintelligent Toner.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 41 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Milky Toner.

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