Versus

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner - US Versus Huxley Secret of Sahara Extract It Toner

Toner
Toner
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on November 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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

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
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene 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.

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.

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 Gum
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

When to use

549 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
16 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
Suzamazen's avatar

Suzanne S.

12 months ago
Review

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

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Huxley Secret of Sahara Extract It Toner 15 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Expensive (1) Light (1) Light Scent (1)
kayleejang's avatar

Kaylee Jang

7 months ago
Review

I‘ve been using this product for many many years now. As someone who has extremely sensitive skin, I rate this product highly because it doesn’t irritate or burn my face.

However, I wouldn’t recommend this toner to people with normal skin, who are looking for products that will help them enhance their skin. It doesn‘t really do anything other than allowing other products like serums to be Show more

#expensive
#light
#light scent