Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist - Cucumber Versus Proactiv Balancing Toner
Updated on June 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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Ingredient Info
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist 11 ingredients
Proactiv Balancing Toner 22 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
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist 11 ingredients
Proactiv Balancing Toner 22 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Masking
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPropylparaben
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Glycerin
Humectant
Parfum
Masking
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Blue 1 Lake
Cosmetic ColorantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Tetrasodium EDTA
Imidazolidinyl Urea
Preservative
Sodium PCA
Humectant
Methylparaben
Preservative
CI 19140
Cosmetic ColorantBenzophenone-4
UV Absorber
Phenoxyethanol, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Propylparaben, Benzoic Acid, Glycerin, Parfum, Polysorbate 20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana Leaf Extract, Blue 1 Lake, Panthenol, Water, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tetrasodium EDTA, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Sodium PCA, Methylparaben, CI 19140, Benzophenone-4
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Citric 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 AcidGlycerin 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 GlycerinParfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.
Also called "fragrance", this ingredient can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.
For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.
The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.
For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.
One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.
Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.
Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.
The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.
Learn more about ParfumPhenoxyethanol 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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When to use
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Mist 11 ingredients
Proactiv Balancing Toner 22 ingredients
Reviews
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