Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US versus e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner .
Last updated on November 03, 2023. Published on June 05, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.
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
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
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 Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Water • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Niacinamide • Polysorbate 20 • Adenosine • Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract • Arctium Lappa Seed Oil • Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters • Sodium PCA • Panthenol • Sodium Hyaluronate • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Phytosphingosine • Cholesterol • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Oleth-10 • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Caprylyl Glycol • Hexylene Glycol • Sodium Citrate • Xanthan Gum • Trisodium EDTA • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Glycerin • Niacinamide • Trehalose • Ceramide NP • Ceramide AP • Ceramide EOP • Glycolic Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water • Tocopheryl Acetate • Hamamelis Virginiana Water • Avena Sativa Kernel Flour • Sodium PCA • Allantoin • Phytosphingosine • Cholesterol • Pentylene Glycol • Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate • Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside • Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate • Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate • Xanthan Gum • Carbomer • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Benzoate • Citric Acid • Benzoic Acid • Disodium EDTA • Tromethamine
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 Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 1.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 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 Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 2.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.
Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamidePaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 4.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.
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 PCAPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 10.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 12.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.
Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide NPPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 13.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.
Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.
They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP
Learn more about Ceramide APPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 14.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 7.
Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide. EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.
Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.
Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.
If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.
Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide NP
Learn more about Ceramide EOPPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 15.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.
Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.
Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.
Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.
Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.
Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.
More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:
Learn more about PhytosphingosinePaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 16.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 17.
Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.
Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.
Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.
Learn more about CholesterolPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 17.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 18.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is the lauric acid sodium salt of lactyl lactate.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate is an emulsifier and surfactant.
Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally. Surfactants reduce surface tension, making it easier to rinse pollutants off skin.
Due to its relation to lauric acid, it may provide antimicrobial benefits.
Learn more about Sodium Lauroyl LactylatePaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 20.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 20.
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.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 24.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 26.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner contains this as ingredient number 26.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
Suzamazen
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.
e.l.f. cosmetics Skin Pure Skin + Dermatologist Developed Toner 32 ingredients
Mac_R
Super affordable, has many good ingredients that my sensitive skin loves, leaves a beautiful base for the rest of my skincare routine. I love how...
Super affordable, has many good ingredients that my sensitive skin loves, leaves a beautiful base for the rest of my skincare routine. I love how silky and hydrated this makes my skin feel
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