Nivea Purifying Toner - Ocean Algae Versus The Body Shop Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner
Overview
What they are
These products are both toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils and parabens
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
Nivea Purifying Toner - Ocean Algae 17 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner 21 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
Nivea Purifying Toner - Ocean Algae 17 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner 21 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
SolventPEG-8
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Sodium Lactate
BufferingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientAluminum Chlorohydrate
Astringent
Methylparaben
Preservative
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Parfum
Masking
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
Parfum
Masking
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Butylparaben
Masking
Ethylparaben
Preservative
Menthol
Masking
Propylparaben
Preservative
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Linalool
Perfuming
Butylphenyl Methylpropional
Perfuming
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Methylparaben, Parfum, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Menthol, Propylparaben, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Benzyl Alcohol is most commonly used as a preservative. It also has a subtle, sweet smell. Small amounts of Benzyl Alcohol is not irritating and safe to use in skincare products. Most Benzyl Alcohol is derived from fruits such as apricots.
Benzyl Alcohol has both antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These properties help lengthen the shelf life of products. Benzyl Alcohol is a solvent and helps dissolve other ingredients. It can also improve the texture and spreadability.
Alcohol comes in many different forms. Different types of alcohol will have different effects on skin. This ingredient is an astringent alcohol.
Using high concentrations of these alcohols are drying on the skin. They may strip away your skin's natural oils and even damage your skin barrier. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Benzyl AlcoholFucus Vesiculosus Extract is derived from a type of brown algae.
Algae is an informal term for a group of aquatic organisms that can photosynthesize. It is estimated there are at least 30,000 types of Algae.
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract contains antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract is also rich in sodium, potassium, and amino acids.
Many different types of algae have different benefits.
Learn more about Fucus Vesiculosus ExtractGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinLinalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.
Like Limonene, this ingredient oxidizes when exposed to air. Oxidized linalool can cause allergies and skin sensitivity.
This ingredient has a scent that is floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or '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 by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
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 ParfumPeg-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 OilWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Nivea Purifying Toner - Ocean Algae 17 ingredients
The Body Shop Seaweed Oil Balancing Toner 21 ingredients
Reviews
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