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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser versus Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US .

Last updated on November 03, 2023. Published on October 26, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, 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 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 Pore Refining Toner Cleanser

Starts at $6.99
Shop

Buy Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

Starts at $24.00

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

AHA
BHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)
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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

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

62% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
58% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
8% 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

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser 13 ingredients

Pore Refining Toner Cleanser hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
Suzamazen's avatar

Suzamazen

8 days ago · Oily Skin
Review

Easily the best toner for my oily, cystic acne prone skin. I had beautiful, clear skin until perimenopause, when I developed cystic acne. I’ve...

Easily the best toner for my oily, cystic acne prone skin. I had beautiful, clear skin until perimenopause, when I developed cystic acne. I’ve spent the last 2 years completely revamping my skincare routine. I’ve tried dozens of toners from every brand from Skinceuticals to CosRx. The Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing toner doesn’t dry my skin out or break me out. It instantly soothes after using a benzoyl peroxide wash. My skin feels clean, soft, and hydrated without being greasy. It’s perfect to use before applying bha or aha exfoliants and actually reduces how stripping or irritating they can be. I never used toners prior to developing cystic acne because my skin didn’t need it. This toner has dramatically improved how my other skincare products work. Everyone’s skin is different, but for me this is the perfect toner and an essential part of my skincare routine.

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 27 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner Cleanser.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US.

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