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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Murad Hydrating Toner versus Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner .

Published on November 06, 2022

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, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Toner American Brand United States
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

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 Hydrating Toner

Starts at $42.00
Shop

Buy Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner

Starts at $23.00

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

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (5)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Eczema (2)
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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.

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

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (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 Tocopherol

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

4
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-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 Oil

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 20.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 19.

5
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

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.

6
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin 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 Chlorphenesin

Murad Hydrating Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner contains this as ingredient number 25.

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

33% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Murad Hydrating Toner 30 ingredients

Hydrating Toner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 4 ratings
Hydrating (2) Irritating (2) Doesn't Work (1) Absorbs Well (1) Works Well (1) No Scent (1)
MymyLe's avatar

MymyLe

29 days ago · Dry Skin
Review

A lovely moisturizing milky toner. I've put it in a spray bottle and like to apply two layers

fahanx's avatar

fahanx

2 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

It is extremely hydrating and it brightened my skin a little bit. However, I think due to the niacinamide in it, it didn’t get rid of the texture...

It is extremely hydrating and it brightened my skin a little bit. However, I think due to the niacinamide in it, it didn’t get rid of the texture on my foraged. Once I stopped using it, the texture cleared up.

Alternatives

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