Works for
MoisturizingAcetyl hexapeptide-30, Arginine/lysine polypeptide + 10 moreWorks well
“Sodium Hyaluronate, a naturally occurring moisturizer in the skin, perfectly hydrates”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, caprylyl glycol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl hexapeptide-30, arginine/lysine polypeptide
Anti-agingAcetyl hexapeptide-30, Arginine/lysine polypeptide + 3 moreMay help
“HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner is designed to treat wrinkles, prevent collagen loss and reduce age spots.”
This product contains acetyl hexapeptide-30, arginine/lysine polypeptide. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Hydrolyzed soy protein + 2 moreNot delivered
“HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner is designed to treat wrinkles, prevent collagen loss and reduce age spots.”
This product contains ingredients (glycyrrhiza glabra root extract) that could help reduce hyperpigmentation (for example, post-acne marks or age spots) in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
ExfoliationLactic acid ~0.45–0.65%, below the ~2% it needsUnder-dosed
“Lactic Acid, Sugar Extracts, & Vitamin C exfoliate & reveal a fresh, new complexion”
This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.
Anti-blemishAllantoinNot delivered
“HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner - Balance and Brighten (formerly Tone) gives your skin a luminous glow as it fights breakouts and discolorations.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract + 3 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis callus culture extract, Limonene + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Polysorbate 20~4.3–5.3%
Glycerin~3.8–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPropanediol~3–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPhenethyl alcohol~2.3–2.8%
Citrus aurantium dulcis callus culture extract~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Xanthan gum~1.6–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumCaprylyl glycol~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolMenthyl ethylamido oxalate~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a cooling sensation on the skin. Does not have a skin benefit
More about Menthyl ethylamido oxalateLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A preservative that comes from radishes fermented by a bacteria. New research suggests that the preservation properties in the ingredient come from an ammonium salt that is not present naturally in radish root but used in its cultivation. Is problematic because the exact amount of the preservative agents is difficult to determine
More about Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrateEthylhexylglycerin~0.65–1%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideLimonene~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneArctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cucumis sativus fruit extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A derivative of vitamin C that is more stable, but less bioavailable than the pure form of vitamin C. It does not penetrate the skin well, but has been shown to convert to pure vitamin C once in skin. It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production and lightening the skin tone, but the required concentration is likely to be very high
More about Magnesium ascorbyl phosphateLactic acid~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidAcetyl hexapeptide-30~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl hexapeptide-30Arginine~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractCitrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~0.25–0.5%
Citrus limon peel extract~0.25–0.5%
Gardenia taitensis flower extract~0.25–0.5%
Acer saccharum extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains small percentage of AHAs. Is unlikely to have any skin benefit due the small concentration of the active compounds
More about Acer saccharum extractCitrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that is used as a fragrance. Can be irritating and lead to photosensitivity
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extractSaccharum officinarum extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sugar extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Saccharum officinarum extractVaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Allantoin~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractGeranium maculatum extract~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Contains an essential oil. Can be irritating
More about Geranium maculatum extractGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help lighten the skin and calm down inflammation. Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals
More about Glycyrrhiza glabra root extractHydrolyzed soy protein~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might have some anti-aging, anti-oxidant, and skin lightening properties, but solid evidence is missing
More about Hydrolyzed soy proteinMorus alba leaf extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateArginine/lysine polypeptide~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Arginine/lysine polypeptideCitral~0.1–0.2%
Hydroxycitronellal~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A fragrance. A likely allergen and can be irritating
More about HydroxycitronellalPseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharides~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium salicylate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
The salt of salicylic acid. Helps exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can also work to preserve cosmetic products
More about Sodium salicylateSorbic acid~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Propanediol, Phenethyl alcohol, Citrus aurantium dulcis callus culture extract, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl glycol, Menthyl ethylamido oxalate, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Limonene, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi leaf extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, Lactic acid, Acetyl hexapeptide-30, Arginine, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Citrus limon peel extract, Gardenia taitensis flower extract, Acer saccharum extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis fruit extract, Saccharum officinarum extract, Vaccinium myrtillus fruit/leaf extract, Allantoin, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Geranium maculatum extract, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Morus alba leaf extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Arginine/lysine polypeptide, Citral, Hydroxycitronellal, Pseudoalteromonas exopolysaccharides, Citric acid, Sodium salicylate, Sorbic acid
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| HydroPeptidePre-Treatment TonerYOUR PRODUCT | INNBEAUTY PROJECTDown to Tone Life Changing Toner | ZO Skin HealthExfoliation Accelerator | MD Complete by Dr. Brian ZelicksonVitamin C Exfoliating Treatment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 47% | 43% | 42% |
| Price | $49.00 | — | $70.00+$21.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 10 | 3 of 10 | 6 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Retinyl Palmitate | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | High |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ITK tri-acid tonerDermalogica Brighten and Defend
Product summary
"HydroPeptide - Pre-Treatment Toner" is effective for: Anti-inflammatory, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 4.00% - 4.90%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Peptides (arginine/lysine polypeptide 0.35% - 0.60% and acetyl hexapeptide-30 0.50% - 0.75%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.40%, arginine 0.45% - 0.70%, lactobacillus ferment 0.95% - 1.15%, glycerin 3.00% - 3.70% and lactic acid 4.00% - 4.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 35.20$ up to 44.00$ in the United States, from 60.38A$ up to 75.00A$ in Australia, for 38.00£ in the United Kingdom and for 52.80CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Phenethyl Alcoholsemanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Topical L-ascorbic acid: percutaneous absorption studiesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
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