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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner versus The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on June 25, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Toner British Brand United Kingdom
Toner British Brand United Kingdom

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

Starts at $14.00
Shop

Buy Glycolic Acid Toner

Starts at $14.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

PHA
Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin
Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

We don't have a description for Ppg-26-Buteth-26.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil is derived from castor oil and polyethylene glycol (PEG). It is used as a emollient and emulsifier.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps make the other ingredients more soluble; it is often used to solubilize fragrances. This increases spreadability and elongates shelf life in a product.

Emollients help soothe and soften the skin. They do this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

This ingredient may or may not be vegan, depending on the source.

Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil may not be fungal-acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Learn more about Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 14.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

6
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium 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 Hydroxide

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

44% are loved or liked
25% have mixed ratings
31% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
33% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review

The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner 15 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 review

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Toner.

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