Sephora Collection Clarifying Toner With 5% Niacinamide & Zinc Versus Tula Skincare Balancing Act Purifying Toner & pH Balancing Toner Pads
Updated on November 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
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 and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
Sephora Collection Clarifying Toner With 5% Niacinamide & Zinc 11 ingredients
Tula Skincare Balancing Act Purifying Toner & pH Balancing Toner Pads 59 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sephora Collection Clarifying Toner With 5% Niacinamide & Zinc 11 ingredients
Tula Skincare Balancing Act Purifying Toner & pH Balancing Toner Pads 59 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Propanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Beta Vulgaris Root Extract
Skin ConditioningEugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract
AstringentMentha Arvensis Leaf Extract
MaskingMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCarum Carvi Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice
Skin ConditioningInulin
Skin ConditioningLycium Chinense Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pelargonium Graveolens Extract
Masking
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Rosa Damascena Extract
MaskingRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningMentha Piperita Oil
Masking
Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide
CleansingPhytic Acid
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Extract
MaskingPeumus Boldus Leaf Extract
MaskingVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Lactobacillus
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract
AstringentLavandula Angustifolia Flower
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Gluconic Acid
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl Glucoside
CleansingSodium Chloride
Masking
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingMenthyl Lactate
MaskingDecyl Glucoside
CleansingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Sodium PCA, Lactobacillus Ferment, Niacinamide, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris Root Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus Flower Extract, Mentha Arvensis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Carum Carvi Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Inulin, Lycium Chinense Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Extract, Lactic Acid, Rosa Damascena Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Mentha Piperita Oil, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Phytic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Mentha Viridis Extract, Peumus Boldus Leaf Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon Fruit Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Benzoate, Gluconic Acid, Yeast Extract, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Citrate, Menthyl Lactate, Decyl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol
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 WaterNiacinamide 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 Niacinamide1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
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 preservativesÂ
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl 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 BenzoateSodium 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 CitrateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sephora Collection Clarifying Toner With 5% Niacinamide & Zinc 11 ingredients
Tula Skincare Balancing Act Purifying Toner & pH Balancing Toner Pads 59 ingredients
