Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner - US Versus Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner
Updated on November 03, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
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
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Arctium Lappa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Sodium PCA
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Cholesterol
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Oleth-10
EmulsifyingSodium Lauroyl Lactylate
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSodium Citrate
BufferingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingTrisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
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
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBetaine
Humectant
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Masking
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Antiseborrhoeic
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
Emulsion StabilisingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningGalactomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
Humectant
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Skin ConditioningC12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingGelatin
Tromethamine
BufferingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningAgar
MaskingCyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAcacia Senegal Gum
MaskingTetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
Biosaccharide Gum-1
Skin ConditioningCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingUbiquinone
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingXanthophylls
Skin ConditioningEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Betaine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Zinc PCA, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Mandelic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Tocopherol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Eclipta Prostrata Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Gelatin, Tromethamine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Trehalose, Pentylene Glycol, Agar, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum, Acacia Senegal Gum, Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cellulose Gum, Carbomer, Ubiquinone, Xanthan Gum, Xanthophylls, Ethylhexylglycerin
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 HyaluronateXanthan 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 GumIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients
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 Show more
Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner 50 ingredients
Felt really good on my skin and absorbed quickly but for some reason left rashy and itchy patches after I had gone through about half the bottle?
