Pharmaceris T Cleansing Bacteriostatic Solution For Face, Décolleté And Back 3% Mandelic Acid Sebo-Almond-Claris Versus Pharmaceris Normalizing Face Toner T-zone Oily Skin
This acne toner is formulated around Mandelic Acid and Glycolic Acid to clear breakouts and refine skin texture.
This oil-control toner is formulated around Zinc PCA to balance excess oil and refine the look of pores.
What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialGlycerin
HumectantPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingPropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycolic Acid
BufferingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingMalic Acid
BufferingSaccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTartaric Acid
BufferingAcer Saccharum Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Carbonate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingCalcium Gluconate
HumectantLactic Acid
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingCitrus Limon Juice
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
ChelatingSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeWater, Mandelic Acid, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Malic Acid, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Tartaric Acid, Acer Saccharum Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Sodium Carbonate, Disodium EDTA, Calcium Gluconate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Citrus Limon Juice, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPanthenol
Skin ConditioningPPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
ChelatingChelidonium Majus Extract
Tamarindus Indica Extract
SmoothingZinc PCA
HumectantBiotin
AntiseborrhoeicDiazolidinyl Urea
PreservativeMethylparaben
PreservativeSodium Benzoate
MaskingPotassium Sorbate
PreservativeParfum
MaskingIngredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPotassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.
This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.
Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.
You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.
Learn more about Potassium SorbatePropylene Glycol is a synthetic, colorless, odorless liquid that has been a staple in cosmetics for decades. It is a skin conditioning agent, humectant, and solvent.
As a humectant, it draw water to the skin to reduce flaking and restore suppleness. It's also a solvent that helps dissolve other actives and keeps formulas stable across temperature changes.
The CIR Expert Panel has confirmed this ingredient to be nontoxic and clinical studies show no sensitization at cosmetic use concentrations.
True allergic reactions are quite rare: a 15-year retrospective study of 6,751 patients found only 0.31% had a positive reaction (and less than half were considered clinically relevant).
It seemed that when sensitization does occur, it's most commonly linked to topical medication (like corticosteroids) and not cosmetics. Allergic contact dermatitis also appears largely limited to individuals with underlying skin conditions.
Overall, propylene glycol is a well-studied ingredient that most people can tolerate without issue.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium 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.
It 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 BenzoateWater. 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