Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US versus La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner .

Last updated on November 03, 2023. Published on October 09, 2021

Overview

What they are

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

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin and brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any 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 need an update? Let us know.

Toner American Brand United States
Toner French Brand France

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

Shop

Buy Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

Starts at $24.00
Shop

Buy Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner

Starts at $16.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Niacinamide
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (6)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 1.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 2.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US contains this as ingredient number 23.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

58% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
8% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
55% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

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

Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner 11 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 review
noname_330's Avatar'
May 31, 2022

To harsh
This is to harsh for my sensitive combination skin. I prefer toners I can use daily. I liked the cooling effect it gave .

To harsh
This is to harsh for my sensitive combination skin. I prefer toners I can use daily. I liked the cooling effect it gave .

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner US.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner.

See 50 alternatives
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