Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask versus The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 01, 2021
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
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 need an update? Let us know.
Wash Off Mask
Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.
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
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Water • Tapioca Starch • Glycerin • Decyl Glucoside • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Butylene Glycol • Cocamidopropyl Betaine • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Bentonite • Kaolin • Charcoal Powder • Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract • Bisabolol • Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Lactic Acid • Xanthan Gum • Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate • C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate • CI 77499 • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Hexylene Glycol
Water • Glycolic Acid • Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Triethanolamine • Aminomethyl Propanol • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Aspartic Acid • Alanine • Glycine • Serine • Valine • Isoleucine • Proline • Threonine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Glutamic Acid • Arginine • PCA • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Fructose • Glucose • Sucrose • Urea • Hexyl Nicotinate • Dextrin • Citric Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Gellan Gum • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Sodium Chloride • Hexylene Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask contains this as ingredient number 1.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.
Glycerin 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 GlycerinPaula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask contains this as ingredient number 3.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 7.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolPaula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask contains this as ingredient number 21.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 42.
Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.
As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.
As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.
Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.
Learn more about Hexylene GlycolPaula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask contains this as ingredient number 23.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 38.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask 23 ingredients
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
CustardBunny
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for...
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no difference, if anything worse skin issues. Around the buttocks area.
Best thing that couldve happened to me? African Black Soap.
tiffchikin
Didn't do anything for me
I wanted to like this product so much but after finishing one and a half bottle I still didn't see a difference on my...
Didn't do anything for me
I wanted to like this product so much but after finishing one and a half bottle I still didn't see a difference on my face. Stings a little bit so I only used it 2-3 times a week.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 45 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Pore Clarifying Charcoal Gel Mask.
See 45 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.
See 31 alternatives
