The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner Versus The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner versus The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on May 22, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and reducing pores

Free From

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

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

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The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Toner British Brand United Kingdom

Serum Canadian Brand Canada

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.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner

Starts at $14.00

Shop

Buy Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Starts at $7.50

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA 13 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

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA 13 ingredients

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

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating

Reduces Large Pores

Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

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Ingredients Compared

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

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner 16 ingredients

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA 13 ingredients

Water • Propanediol • Gluconolactone • Niacinamide • Pentylene Glycol • Glycerin • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • Ppg-26-Buteth-26 • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citric Acid • Sodium Hydroxide

Propanediol • Water • Mandelic Acid • Glycerin • Dimethyl Isosorbide • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Pentylene Glycol • Polysorbate 20 • Sodium Hydroxide • Ethylhexylglycerin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol

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.

Water

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 Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 2.

Propanediol

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 Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.

Pentylene Glycol

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 8.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 4.

1,2-Hexanediol

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 12.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 12.

Caprylyl Glycol

What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

The INKEY List Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 13.

Ethylhexylglycerin

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 Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 11.

Sodium Hydroxide

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 Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA contains this as ingredient number 10.

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