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
What's inside
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
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 another well-loved alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is gentler than glycolic acid but still highly effective.
Its main role is to exfoliate the surface of the skin by loosening the âglueâ that holds dead skin cells together. Shedding those old cells leads to smoother, softer, and more even-toned skin.
Because lactic acid molecules are larger than glycolic acid, they donât penetrate as deeply. This means theyâre less likely to sting or irritate, making it a great choice for beginners or those with sensitive skin.
Like glycolic acid, it can:
Lactic acid also acts as a humectant (like hyaluronic acid). It can draw water into the skin to improve hydration and also plays a role in the skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in the form of sodium lactate.
Studies show it can boost ceramide production to strengthen the skin barrier and even help balance the skinâs microbiome.
To get results, choose products with a pH between 3-4.
Lower strengths (5-12%) focus on surface exfoliation; higher strengths (12% and up) can reach deeper in the dermis (deeper, supportive layer) to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
Though it was originally derived from milk, most modern lactic acid used in skincare is vegan. It is made through non-dairy fermentation to create a bio-identical and stable form suitable for all formulations.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Lactic acid is truly a gentle multitasker: it exfoliates, hydrates, strengthens, and brightens. It's a great ingredient for giving your skin a smooth, glowing, and healthy look without the harshness of stronger acids.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidMandelic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Like other AHAs, it helps exfoliate the surface of the skin by breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This helps reveal smoother and brighter skin underneath.
Mandelic acid helps with:
Due to it having a larger molecular size than glycolic acid, mandelic acid is able to penetrate the skin more slowly and evenly. This makes it gentler and less irritating, making it a great option for sensitive or beginner skin.
Despite being milder, mandelic acid is still an effective exfoliant that improves skin texture and tone over time.
What makes mandelic acid stand out from other AHAs? It has antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
These traits make it a great option for acne-prone or problem skin by reducing active breakouts and fading post-acne marks. Studies show that mandelic acid (especially when combined with salicylic acid) can significantly reduce pimples and hyperpigmentation while causing fewer side effects than stronger acids.
Mandelic acid is effective in concentrations of 5% and up with an ideal pH range of 3-4 for at-home use.
Like other AHAs, itâs important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your newly exfoliated skin.
However, unlike glycolic acid, mandelic acid is light-sensitive. Be sure your mandelic acid is packaged in opaque containers to ensure it stays stable and effective.
In short, mandelic acid is a gentle yet powerful AHA that exfoliates, brightens, and helps clarify skin while keeping irritation low. Its antibacterial action makes it especially beneficial for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or uneven skin, offering smoother, clearer, and more even-toned results over time.
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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