Updated on January 08, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. 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, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
PCA Skin Smoothing Toner 13 ingredients
PCA Skin Nutrient Toner 26 ingredients
What's inside
What's inside
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
PCA Skin Smoothing Toner 13 ingredients
PCA Skin Nutrient Toner 26 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Hydrastis Canadensis Extract
MaskingCucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract
AntimicrobialTetrasodium EDTA
Water, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrastis Canadensis Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Hedera Helix Leaf/Stem Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA
Water
Skin ConditioningSucrose
Humectant
Cucurbita Pepo
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Citric Acid
Buffering
Octoxynol-9
EmulsifyingParfum
Masking
Gluconic Acid
Yeast
Skin ConditioningGuanidine Hcl
BufferingCinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil
Masking
Glutathione
Zingiber Officinale Root Oil
Masking
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Zinc Salicylate
AntimicrobialAspergillus/Molasses Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Potassium Chloride
Benzyl Benzoate
Antimicrobial
Eugenol
Perfuming
Coumarin
Perfuming
Cinnamal
Perfuming
Isoeugenol
Perfuming
Cinnamyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Water, Sucrose, Cucurbita Pepo, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Octoxynol-9, Parfum, Gluconic Acid, Yeast, Guanidine Hcl, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Eugenia Caryophyllus Leaf Oil, Glutathione, Zingiber Officinale Root Oil, Alcohol Denat., Zinc Salicylate, Aspergillus/Molasses Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Potassium Chloride, Benzyl Benzoate, Eugenol, Coumarin, Cinnamal, Isoeugenol, Cinnamyl Alcohol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is known for its ability to gentle exfoliate, hydrate, and brighten skin.
In the right concentration (~5-12% and an ideal pH of 3-4), lactic acid breaks down the bonds holding dead skin cells together to shed them naturally. This process reveals smoother skin and a more even skin tone.
Higher concentrations (12% and up) can reach a deeper structural layer of the skin to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Because it has a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, it is able to penetrate more slowly, thus making it less irritating and ideal for sensitive or beginner skin types.
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skin’s microbiome.
In summary, lactic acid is a gentle yet powerful multitasker that smooths, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens the skin.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
PCA Skin Smoothing Toner 13 ingredients
PCA Skin Nutrient Toner 26 ingredients
