Murad Hydrating Toner Versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Updated on August 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils and silicones
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
Murad Hydrating Toner 31 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Murad Hydrating Toner 31 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Urea
Buffering
Yeast Amino Acids
HumectantTrehalose
Humectant
Inositol
Humectant
Taurine
BufferingBetaine
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lecithin
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPEG-12 Dimethicone
Skin Conditioning
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Sodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Methylisothiazolinone
Preservative
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Citronellol
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
CI 15510
Cosmetic ColorantCI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Butylene Glycol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Urea, Yeast Amino Acids, Trehalose, Inositol, Taurine, Betaine, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Tocopherol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, PEG-12 Dimethicone, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Methylisothiazolinone, Benzyl Salicylate, Geraniol, Linalool, Citronellol, Parfum, CI 15510, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Dimethiconol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Superoxide Dismutase, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolPeg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.
As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.
Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.
This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.
Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Learn more about PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilDisodium 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 EDTAChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Murad Hydrating Toner 31 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Murad Hydrating Toner 31 ingredients
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Holy Grail.
I started using this toner when I was on Isotretinoin. I got off Isotretinoin one year ago and have refused to let it go. This toner is what water drench and hydro boost are trying to be. After using this my skin feels like a desert that finally got rain. I don't even use cotton pads anymore. I pour it in my hands and directly apply.
Pro Tip: Use two applications during the winter! = Show more
A lovely moisturizing milky toner. I've put it in a spray bottle and like to apply two layers
