This calming toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Kaolin to calm redness and clear breakouts.
This calming toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Centella Asiatica Leaf Water to calm redness.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingSodium Chloride
MaskingMagnesium Sulfate
Kaolin
AbrasiveZinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBentonite
AbsorbentCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingLinalool
PerfumingPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-3 Cocoate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingHectorite
AbsorbentHypochlorous Acid
AntiseborrhoeicArnica Montana Flower Extract
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
PerfumingSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentGeraniol
PerfumingQuartz
AbrasiveCoumarin
PerfumingWater, Propanediol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Kaolin, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bentonite, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Linalool, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Ricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Hectorite, Hypochlorous Acid, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Limonene, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Geraniol, Quartz, Coumarin
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
SmoothingHippophae Rhamnoides Water
MaskingSodium Chloride
MaskingHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPropanediol
SolventCitrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
MaskingCentella Asiatica Leaf Water
Skin ConditioningBetaine
HumectantRosa Canina Fruit Oil
EmollientCamellia Japonica Seed Oil
EmollientHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
EmollientTocopherol
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningLavandula Angustifolia Oil
MaskingAdenosine
Skin ConditioningAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
AntioxidantArtemisia Capillaris Extract
Glycine Soja Oil
EmollientCereus Grandiflorus Extract
AntioxidantOlea Europaea Fruit Extract
BleachingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantFucus Vesiculosus Extract
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
CleansingPrunella Vulgaris Extract
AntioxidantBixa Orellana Seed Oil
EmollientCamellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
AntioxidantHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil
Skin ProtectingScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCitral
PerfumingLimonene
PerfumingLinalool
PerfumingWater, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxyacetophenone, Propanediol, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Betaine, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Artemisia Capillaris Extract, Glycine Soja Oil, Cereus Grandiflorus Extract, Olea Europaea Fruit Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Prunella Vulgaris Extract, Bixa Orellana Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Citral, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is the oil from the bergamot orange and is primarily used as a fragrance. It has a "fresh" and "bright orange" scent.
The main aroma compounds found in this ingredient are limonene (~27-52%), linalool (~2-22%), and linalyl acetate (~27-40%). These are known EU fragrance allergens.
The term 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term. For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance.
When used topically, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil is a photosensitizer due to the furanocoumarin content. Furanocoumarins absorb UV-A and cause phytophotodermatitis; this can look like redness, blistering, and lasting brown pigmentation on sun-exposed skin.
Due to this, this ingredient is capped at 0.4% in leave-on products applied to sun exposed skin.
Many modern formulas used a "furanocoumarin-free" version that sidesteps the phototoxicity issue, but still contains the fragrance allergens.
Learn more about Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit OilEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinLavandula Angustifolia Oil is more commonly known as lavender essential oil. It is considered a fragrancing ingredient.
Lavender imparts a famous scent. While the smell is lovely, this ingredient and may sensitize skin in topical products. This is because about 85% of the oil is made up of linalool and linalyl acetate.
When exposed to air, these two compounds become strong allergens. This ingredient exhibits cytotoxicity at low concentrations; amounts of 0.25% have been shown to damage skin cells.
A study from Japan found this ingredient caused lavender sensitivity after widespread exposure.
Lavender essential oil has some antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the cons of this ingredient may outweight the pros.
More research is needed to confirm lavender essential oil's effects when used in aromatherapy.
Lavandula Angustifolia is known as the English Lavender and famous for creating purple fields in Provence, France.
Learn more about Lavandula Angustifolia OilLimonene is the compound that gives citrus peel its smell.
In skincare, it shows up as a standalone fragrance ingredient or as a natural compound of citrus and other essential oils.
You'll typically see this ingredient used in very small amounts; anything above 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off has to be named on the label in the EU. The citrus oils that carry it sit around 0.5-1% in a finished formula.
Fresh limonene is a weak allergen; the real issue is that it slowly reacts with air and then breaks down from oxidation to create hydroperoxides (which are strong sensitizers). This is why suppliers are required to keep the peroxide value below 20 mmol.
Positive reactions in people being investigated for eczema vary:
It's worth skipping if you have a known fragrance allergy or a compromised barrier, but the risk is low for most people.
Older or long-opened products are also more likely to bother you than fresh ones due to oxidation.
Learn more about LimoneneLinalool is a small, naturally occurring scent molecule found in plants like lavender, coriander, bergamot, and more.
It is one of the two most-used fragrance ingredients in cosmetics and added purely for smell. Since it's not used for a skin benefit, there's no "effective dose". Concentration depends on the fragrance load of the product.
The EU requires it to be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Fresh linalool is a weak sensitizer but air exposure turns some of it into hydroperoxides, which are strong sensitizers. Those oxidation products are the actual allergy concern.
Patch-test clinics see positive reactions to linalool hydroperoxides in about 4% to 12% of dermatitis patients depending on country and test concentration.
Resassuringly, one analytical study found hydroperoxide levels in real fragranced products to be orders of magnitude below what induced sensitization in animal studies with no evidence of oxidation building up during normal storage.
The practical takeaway is that linalool is fine for most people but worth avoiding if you have a confirmed fragrance contact allergy or a badly compromised barrier.
Products stored a long time after opening are also the high-risk scenario since that is when oxidation happens.
The scent of linalool is described as floral, spicy tropical, and citrus-like.
Learn more about LinaloolNiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
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.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamidePropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt. This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
You might see people debate whether Sodium Chloride is comedogenic, but there actually haven't been any comedogenic tests done on it. Either way, the overall formulation of a product matters a lot more than any single ingredient.
You might see this ingredient used in scrubs as a primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideWater. 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. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water