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Nø Cosmetics Liquid Refiner Versus Balea Liquid Peeling 2% BHA

Toner
Exfoliator
German Brand Germany
German Brand Germany

Updated on July 28, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Free from

Safety & Ethics

German Brand

Brand country of origin

Free from

Safety & Ethics

German Brand

Brand country of origin

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients, at a glance

What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Liquid Refiner
Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved by users
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Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very disliked
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon2 Concerns
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Pentylene Glycol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Mixed reviews
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Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Loved by users
BHABHA IconPreservativePreservative Icon4 Benefits3 Concerns
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Succinic Acid Buffering, Masking

Succinic acid is an odorless white powder. It is naturally found in our bodies but can also be derived from living organisms.

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Sodium PCA Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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Resveratrol Antioxidant, Skin Protecting
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Resveratrol is a famous emerging antioxidant. It is a good alternative for sensitive skin types who cannot tolerate retinoids.

Loved by users
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon3 Benefits
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Epigallocatechin Gallate Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

EGCG is most famous for being found in green tea. It is a type of catechin, a potent antioxidant.

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AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon
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Phospholipids Skin Conditioning

Phospholipids are naturally found in our skin as they are the main component of cell membranes. Phospholipids have humectant, emollient, antioxidant properties.

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Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Antimicrobial
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a natural preservative. It comes from fermenting radish roots with a bacteria called leuconostoc.

Mixed reviews
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
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Superoxide Dismutase Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Superoxide Dismutase is found in all living cells. This ingredient is AKA as 'SOD'.

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AntioxidantAntioxidant IconHelps with Anti-AgingHelps with Anti-Aging Icon
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Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

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Phytic Acid
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Phytic Acid is a gentle AHA and antioxidant. AHAs are chemical exfoliants that help remove dead skin cells. Phytic Acid has a slight and mild exfoliating effect.

Liked by users
AHAAHA Icon2 BenefitsMay worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon
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Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Mixed reviews
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Liquid Peeling 2% BHA
Propanediol Solvent

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.

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Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved by users
Learn more
Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Loved by users
BHABHA IconPreservativePreservative Icon4 Benefits3 Concerns
Learn more
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
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2 Benefits
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Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Loved by users
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon4 Benefits
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Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Mixed reviews
Learn more

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
Loved

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid
Buffering
Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Ingredient Ratings

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

When to use

86 Routines
26% use in am
74% use in pm
47% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
65 Routines
22% use in am
78% use in pm
55% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Nø Cosmetics Liquid Refiner 14 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 6 ratings
Works Well (2) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1)
Mormo's avatar

Mormo

2 years ago · Normal Skin
Review

Amazing product for combination skin with clogged pores
Atm this product may be available only in Germany, but it has amazing ingredients that...

Amazing product for combination skin with clogged pores
Atm this product may be available only in Germany, but it has amazing ingredients that offer more than another similar products of higher price range. It has 2% BHA and resveratrol, which do magic on oily skin. If you compare it to the Paula's Choice 2% BHA exfoliator, the concentration of the ingredients look pretty similar, especially the salicylic acid part, but the Liquid Refiner has additional products that help to make the skin better, and it's more affordable.

Even if this is not considered to be an "exfoliator" and more of a toner, my skin got much more smooth and "free" after this product than another BHA exfoliators, including Paula's Choice. I don't mean to say that they are bad, just that this product became a holy grail for me.

amorleannekoffi's avatar

amorleannekoffi

10 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Light weight not drying at all. Doesn’t have bad ingredients overall good but I haven’t seen the results yet because I haven’t used it for a long time

Balea Liquid Peeling 2% BHA 6 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating