Works for
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Panthenol + 11 moreWorks well
“This mild pH and hypoallergenic toner contains glacier water to moisturize skin, and azulene and chamaecyparis obtusa water to soothe irritated skin.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": betaine, glycerin.
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. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Glutathione + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glutathione, niacinamide
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: capryloyl salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Capryloyl salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: capryloyl salicylic acid
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Asiaticoside + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains adenosine, niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: asiaticoside.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Glutathione, Asiaticoside + 4 moreWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside, glutathione) 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?
Irritancy3 strong irritants: Oenothera biennis flower extract, Limonene + 1 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%
Chamaecyparis obtusa water~6.4–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~4.7–5.7%
- 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 GlycerinNiacinamide~3.4–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideWater~2.5–3.1%
Butylene glycol~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolSodium guaiazulene sulfonate~1.8–2.2%
Camellia sinensis leaf water~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Green tea leaf water. Might have some minimal anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia sinensis leaf waterPortulaca oleracea extract~1.3–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractHouttuynia cordata extract~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glutathione~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A peptide that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce melanin production resulting in skin lightening effect and reduction in hyperpigmentation. It can also help attract moisture to the upper layer of the skin
More about GlutathioneSodium hyaluronate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateUlmus davidiana root extract~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant root extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. It might have an anti-inflammatory effect and could help neturalize free radicals in skin
More about Ulmus davidiana root extractPinus palustris leaf extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pueraria lobata root extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oenothera biennis flower extract~0.45–0.65%
Asiaticoside~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideCapryloyl salicylic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Propanediol~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolBetaine~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineDisodium edta~0.3–0.5%
Panthenol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolAdenosine~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
More about Adenosine1,2-hexanediol~0.2–0.4%
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolPolyglyceryl-10 laurate~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-10 laurateDextrin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A sugar that is used to stabilize the product formulation. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about DextrinEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.3%
Hydroxyethylcellulose~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseLimonene~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneEucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilIngredient list view
Water, Chamaecyparis obtusa water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Water, Butylene glycol, Sodium guaiazulene sulfonate, Camellia sinensis leaf water, Portulaca oleracea extract, Houttuynia cordata extract, Glutathione, Sodium hyaluronate, Ulmus davidiana root extract, Pinus palustris leaf extract, Pueraria lobata root extract, Oenothera biennis flower extract, Asiaticoside, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Propanediol, Betaine, Disodium edta, Panthenol, Adenosine, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 laurate, Dextrin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Limonene, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil
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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.
| L'ESSENTIALFirst TonerYOUR PRODUCT | AbibGlutathiosome Dark Spot Pad Vita Touch | MEDI-PEELDerma Maison EGF Triple Repair Toner | APLBGlutathione Niacinamide Facial Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Price | — | $16.99 | $52.55 | $11.57 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 9 | 7 of 9 | 7 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Madecassoside | Madecassic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing TonerNERISH Soy Ceramide Barrier Toner
Product summary
"L'ESSENTIAL - First Toner" is effective for: Anti-aging, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Exfoliation and Anti-blemish
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (3.40% - 4.20%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Adenosine 0.25% - 0.45%. It is a compound that in involved in many biological processes inside the skin cells. According one high-quality clinical trial, topical Adenosine in low concentrations can somewhat help improve "deep wrinkles" - the wrinkles that appear with age in places where our faces are most dynamic (for example, on the forehead or in the corners of the eyes).
- Actives derived from an extract of the Centella Asiatica plant (also known as Gotu Kola) - asiaticoside 0.25% - 0.50% The Centella Asiatica Actives, even in low concentration, can help reduce inflammation in skin, strengthen the skin barrier and reduce photodamage. They can also help to decrease scarring.
- Humectants (betaine 0.25% - 0.50%, sodium hyaluronate 0.45% - 0.70% and glycerin 4.70% - 5.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 19.12$ up to 40.70$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 21 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Portulaca oleracea (purslane)mdedge.com
- 5
- 6
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