Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution versus Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on February 27, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 15 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any 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.
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
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner 36 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner 36 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner 36 ingredients
Water • Glycolic Acid • Rosa Damascena Flower Water • Centaurea Cyanus Flower Water • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water • Propanediol • Glycerin • Triethanolamine • Aminomethyl Propanol • Panax Ginseng Root Extract • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract • Aspartic Acid • Alanine • Glycine • Serine • Valine • Isoleucine • Proline • Threonine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Glutamic Acid • Arginine • PCA • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • Fructose • Glucose • Sucrose • Urea • Hexyl Nicotinate • Dextrin • Citric Acid • Polysorbate 20 • Gellan Gum • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Sodium Chloride • Hexylene Glycol • Potassium Sorbate • Sodium Benzoate • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol
Water • Glycerin • Sodium Hyaluronate • Chamomilla Recutita Extract • Vitis Vinifera Seed Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract • Avena Sativa Straw Extract • Punica Granatum Extract • Sambucus Nigra Fruit Extract • Peucedanum Graveolens Extract • Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract • Hydrogenated Lecithin • Tocopherol • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil • Vaccinium Macrocarpon Seed Oil • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Vaccinium Myrtillus Seed Oil • Arginine • Alanine • Serine • Valine • Proline • Threonine • Isoleucine • Histidine • Phenylalanine • Aspartic Acid • Sodium PCA • Sodium Lactate • PCA • Xanthan Gum • Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate • Benzyl Alcohol • Phenoxyethanol
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 1.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 7.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.
Aspartic Acid is an amino acid that our bodies produce naturally. It is an antioxidant.
Our body uses Aspartic Acid to help build collagen and elastin. It also plays a role in hydrating skin.
Antioxidants help mitigate damage from free-radical molecules. These are molecules that originate from external sources such as pollution, cigarette smoke, or the sun.
Learn more about Aspartic AcidThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 12.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 29.
Alanine is an amino acid and is already found in the human body.
Alanine has antioxidant properties and can help with anti-aging.
Alanine is used by fibrous proteins such as collagen, elastin, and keratin. These three help make a strong skin barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier leads to more plump and youthful skin.
Learn more about AlanineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 13.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 21.
Serine is an amino acid naturally found in our body. Our bodies use amino acids to create protein.
Amino-acids help give keep our skin hydrated. They play an important role in the skin barrier, which keeps the skin plump and firm.
Serine is a non-essential amino acid, meaning we don't need to obtain it from eating foods.
Learn more about SerineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 15.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 22.
We don't have a description for Valine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 16.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 23.
We don't have a description for Isoleucine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 17.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 26.
Proline is an amino-acid. It helps moisturize the skin and plays an important role in creating proteins.
Proline is one of the building blocks for producing collagen. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen helps the skin look plump and firm.
In medicine, proline is used as an osmoprotectant. This means it helps prevent oxidative degradation in other drugs.
Our bodies are able to produce proline naturally, but certain conditions may inhibit this production. In that case, proline can be obtained from eating egg whites, soy protein, dairy products, asparagus, mushrooms, and seaweed.
Learn more about ProlineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 18.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.
Threonine is an amino-acid. It helps hydrate the skin and has antioxidant benefits.
Threonine is vital for creating collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin support youthful and firm skin. Our bodies decrease collagen production naturally with age.
Humans are not able to create threonine and must get it through eating foods such as fish, lentils, poultry, sesame seeds, and more.
Learn more about ThreonineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 19.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 25.
We don't have a description for Histidine.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 20.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 27.
Phenylalanine is an amino acid. It is a skin soothing and hydrating ingredient. Amino acids play a crucial role in wound healing and skin hydration.
Phenylalanine is also used to help even out skin tone due to its ability to disrupt the melanin production process.
Two structures of phenylalanine exist: L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is essential, this means our bodies cannot produce it naturally and we must get it from foods. Our bodies convert D-phenylalanine to neurotransmitters, and D-phenylalanine is found in our bodies naturally.
Some foods that contain L-phenylalanine include eggs, soybeans, beef, milk.
Learn more about PhenylalanineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 21.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 28.
Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin. This ingredient is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 23.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 20.
PCA is derived from amino acids and is naturally found in our skin's barrier.
As a humectant, PCA helps draw and hold moisture to the skin. Studies show it is effective at helping the skin stay hydrated long-term.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 24.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 32.
Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.
The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.
Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.
Learn more about Sodium PCAThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 25.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 30.
Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.
Sodium Lactate is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin.
It also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.
Our NMF is formed from amino acids, lactic acid, sugars, minerals, peptides, and electrolytes. As we age, our NMF naturally depletes. Other sources of NMF depletion include harsh and drying ingredients such as denatured alcohol. Sodium lactate can help replenish our NMF, leading to more hydrated and plump skin.
High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.
Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.
Learn more about Sodium LactateThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains this as ingredient number 26.
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner contains this as ingredient number 31.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner 36 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Paula's Choice Earth Sourced Purely Natural Refreshing Toner 36 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution 42 ingredients
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no...
Ive used this for a whileee now.
First on my face, way too harsh so i did body only. I got lots of acne and heard nothing but "an all cure for everything skinwise" lol.
Well it HURTS like a bitch. God it stings.
Absolutely no difference, if anything worse skin issues. Around the buttocks area.
Best thing that couldve happened to me? African Black Soap.
Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer....
Glycolic acid is an AHA which is great for exfoliation, acne, oil-control, and aging. However, because it's an AHA, there can be drawbacks. It can be drying so only use this if you have normal to oily skin and follow with a moisturizer. AHA's do cause photosensitivity which means your skin is more susceptible to uv radiation. Because of this it's recommended to use any product that has AHA's at night but you can use it during the daytime provided you follow it with a SPF.
it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations
it’s a good in exfoliating and applying it 2 times a week followed by a good moisturizer prevents any irritations
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Our Dupe Finder has found 31 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution.
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