Pixi Beauty Antioxidant Tonic Versus Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic
Updated on February 29, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Pixi Beauty Antioxidant Tonic 33 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Pixi Beauty Antioxidant Tonic 33 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningBetula Alba Bark Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventGlycerin
Humectant
Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract
MaskingNiacinamide
Smoothing
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Maris Aqua
HumectantCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSodium PCA
HumectantPolyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingAlgin
Masking
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Betula Alba Bark Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Rubus Chamaemorus Fruit Extract, Hedychium Coronarium Root Extract, Niacinamide, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Maris Aqua, Ceramide NP, Betaine, Panthenol, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Filtrate, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Sodium PCA, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Cellulose Gum, Algin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventPEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPEG-8
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Lecithin
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentHibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract
HumectantSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Citrate
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Citric Acid
Buffering
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methyl Gluceth-20, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, PEG-8, Panthenol, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Lecithin, Polysorbate 20, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Flower Extract, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-28, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Jasminum Officinale Flower/Leaf Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.Â
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 PropanediolGlycerin 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 GlycerinMagnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP) is a form of Vitamin C and is an antioxidant. It can help to reduce redness, improve skin texture, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, and brighten skin.
MAP is created by combining ascorbic acid with magnesium salt. While MAP more gentle on the skin than ascorbic acid, it is thought to be less easily-absorbed into the skin.
Due to MAP's stability up to a pH level of 7, it is more stable to air and sunlight exposure than ascorbic acid. The best pH range for MAP is between 5 and 6.
Like other forms of Vitamin C, MAP has been shown to help reduce hyperpigmentation and simulate collagen production.
As an antioxidant, it helps protect your skin against the signs of aging.
Learn more about Magnesium Ascorbyl PhosphateSodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronatePanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolSodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.
Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.
The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).
Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.
Learn more about Sodium CitrateCitric 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 AcidEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Pixi Beauty Antioxidant Tonic 33 ingredients
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Pixi Beauty Retinol Tonic 28 ingredients
I have mixed feelings about this products. The experience of using it is great: It is super lightweight, perfect for oily skin, has a very pleasant and light herbal scent (although be careful if you are allergic to fragrance), and it does hydrate and preps your skin properly for the rest of your routine. It's also really inexpensive as many other Pixi's tonics and you will get a very good amount Show more
Excellent. Most retinol are super comedogenic or have squalene, which breaks me out. This has none of that and the bottle is huge! You get a lot of product for the price and it doesn't irritate me. I know the retinol works too, as I made the mistake of putting it on my lips, and they peeled so much. Don't do that, that was just me being stupid. Has a pleasant light scent and has helped with my Show more
