Versus

Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner for All Skin Types Versus Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Toner
Toner
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, fragrances, oils, 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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 Water
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid. It is naturally occurring in our skin's natural moisturizing factors where it works to maintain hydration.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

This ingredient has skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

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
Preservative

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.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

When to use

315 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
17 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner for All Skin Types 12 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 8 ratings
No Scent (4) Light (3) Irritating (2)
sophiacamara's avatar

sophia camara

5 months ago
Review

Irritated my skin & acne. For reference, I have rather sensitive dry skin, along with fungal acne ( perioral dermatitis).

Very cheap though so I cannot complain too much about having to discontinue use. Not sure what is the culprit (edit: I figured out witch hazel irritates my skin! I researched more and a lot of other people with fungal acne have similar issues with witch hazel. I’m not sure Show more

#irritating
skincareidiot's avatar

skincareidiot

9 months ago
Review

I have used this toner for years, mainly because it’s so cheap. It does make my face feel pretty nice and refreshed, but I’m honestly not sure what it does. Using it or not doesn’t have the biggest effect on my skin, I just personally like using a toner, so it’s nice having it in my routine.

#great value
#no scent

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner 21 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Works Well (1)
annarnberg's avatar

Anna Rønberg

3 months ago
Review

Good doesn’t irritate

#great value
#hydrating
#works well