Urban Skin Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner Versus Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Urban Skin Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner 26 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum 25 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Urban Skin Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner 26 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum 25 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycerin
Humectant
Ethoxydiglycol
HumectantNiacinamide
Smoothing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningRosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingAlpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Glutathione
Kojic Acid
Antioxidant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinyl Palmitate
Skin Conditioning
Water, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Alcohol, Glycerin, Ethoxydiglycol, Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Alpha-Arbutin, Glutathione, Kojic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Retinyl Palmitate
Water
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Water
Astringent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Salicylic Acid
Masking
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Salix Nigra Bark Extract
Skin ProtectingMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Lens Esculenta Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingDisodium EDTA
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningBenzoic Acid
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingWater, Hamamelis Virginiana Water, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Zinc PCA, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Salix Nigra Bark Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Lens Esculenta Seed Extract, Allantoin, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzoic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterHamamelis Virginiana Water is made by distilling parts of the witch hazel plant. You can also call this ingredient "witch hazel water".
The name 'Hamamelis Virginiana Water' refers to the distillation product used in cosmetics. On the other hand, 'Witch Hazel' refers to the active drug ingredient.
Unless it is specified to be non-alcohol, many types of witch hazel ingredients are distilled in denatured alcohol.
Witch Hazel water is an astringent, anti-inflammatory antioxidant, and antibacterial ingredient.
It contains tannins. Tannins have a drying effect when used on skin by constricting proteins. The constriction also minimizes the appearance of pores.
Both the tannins and fragrance found in witch hazel may be skin-sensitizing.
Witch hazel water gets anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from its catechin and gallic acid content.
Indigenous groups have used witch hazel to help treat inflammation in North America for centuries.
Learn more about Hamamelis Virginiana WaterGlycerin 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 GlycerinNiacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about NiacinamidePhenoxyethanol 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.
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinCitric 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 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 HydroxideEthylhexylglycerin (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.
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Urban Skin Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner 26 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum 25 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Urban Skin Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner 26 ingredients
Bliss Clear Genius Clarifying Toner + Serum 25 ingredients
Only toner that doesn't burn my skin and feels cooling and hydrating.
