Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid Versus Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic
Updated on June 18, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and PHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain common allergens, fragrances and oils
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
Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid 19 ingredients
Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic 24 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
Skin Rocks The Gentle Acid 19 ingredients
Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium Hydroxide
BufferingMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningMangifera Indica Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningMusa Sapientum Pulp Extract
Skin ConditioningMicrocitrus Australasica Fruit Extract
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Benzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PPG-26-Buteth-26
Skin ConditioningCaprylhydroxamic Acid
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Mandelic Acid, Lactic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Gluconolactone, Spondias Mombin Pulp Extract, Mangifera Indica Pulp Extract, Musa Sapientum Pulp Extract, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit Extract, Panthenol, Benzyl Alcohol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate
Water
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Arginine
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Isopentyldiol
Humectant
Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract
Astringent
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Astringent
Calcium Gluconate
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil
Perfuming
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cyclodextrin
AbsorbentDimaltosyl Cyclodextrin
Emulsion StabilisingMaltose
MaskingMaltosyl Cyclodextrin
Skin ConditioningThioctic Acid
Antioxidant
Limonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Mandelic Acid, Arginine, Polysorbate 20, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Isopentyldiol, Trifolium Pratense Flower Extract, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Herb Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cyclodextrin, Dimaltosyl Cyclodextrin, Maltose, Maltosyl Cyclodextrin, Thioctic Acid, Limonene, Linalool
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Gluconolactone is a PHA. PHAs are a great gentle alternative to traditional AHAs.
When applied, Gluconolactone has the same affect on skin as AHAs such as lactic acid. It helps dissolve the dead skin cells in the top layer of your skin. This improves texture and brightens the skin.
PHAs are more gentle than AHAs due to their larger structure. They do not penetrate as deeply as AHAs and take a longer time to dissolve dead cells. Studies show PHAs do not cause as much irritation.
Gluconolactone has some interesting properties:
In a 2004 study, Gluconolactone was found to prevent UV damage in mouse skin cells and has not been found to increase sun sensitivity. However, we still recommend wearing SPF daily.
This ingredient is is an created by reacting gluconic acid with an alcohol.
Learn more about GluconolactoneGlycerin 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 GlycerinLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMandelic Acid helps exfoliate skin. It also contains antioxidant properties.
As an AHA, Mandelic 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.
Mandelic Acid may be an alternative to Glycolic Acid for those with sensitive skin.
Mandelic Acid may help reduce wrinkles, acne, and hyperpigmentation.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Mandelic AcidSodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.
In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.
Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.
"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.
Learn more about Sodium HydroxideWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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