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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner versus Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser .

Published on July 01, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

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

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Exfoliator Irish Brand Ireland
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner

Starts at $38.00
Shop

Buy Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser

Starts at $39.00

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

AHA
Niacinamide

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

AHA (3)
BHA
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (4)
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (5)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (7)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (5)
Rosacea (6)
Eczema (3)
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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

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
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

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 21.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 14.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 31.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 15.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 27.

8
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

Sodium Benzoate is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

Pestle & Mortar Exfoliate Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.

Peter Thomas Roth Pre-Treatment Exfoliating Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 26.

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

56% are loved or liked
13% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet
32% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
39% are disliked or very disliked
19% have no rating yet

Usage

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

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