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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Philosophy clear days ahead toner versus Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner .

Published on October 01, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

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 German Brand Germany

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 clear days ahead toner

Starts at $22.00
Shop

Buy Balancing Toner

Starts at $42.99

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

AHA
Exfoliators

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (4)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (3)

Benefits

Reduces Irritation
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Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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.

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant. Glycols are a class of alcohols. Hexylene Glycol is a surfactant and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, Hexylene Glycol helps gather dirt and oil on your skin to be washed away.

As an emulsifier, Hexylene Glycol helps keep water and oil together. This prevents them from separating in a product. Hexylene Glycol also thins out the texture of a product by lessening viscosity.

Hexylene Glycol has a small molecular weight.

Learn more about Hexylene Glycol

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 17.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Pantolactone is a synthetically created humectant.

As a humectant, Pantolactone helps draw moisture to the skin. It can help add hydration to your skin.

Philosophy clear days ahead toner contains this as ingredient number 22.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

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

32% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
64% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
50% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
7% 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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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Philosophy clear days ahead toner.

See 8 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 22 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner.

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