Paula's choice CALM Nourishing Milky Toner
Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Glycerin + 9 moreWorks well
“Designed for compromised, sensitive skin, this skincare product hydrates and soothes, reducing signs of premature aging and environmental damage.The presence of allantoin in this soothing, milky lotion has a calming effect on red, irritable skin, moisturising and improving blemishes.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, pantolactone.
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: panthenol
Anti-agingTocopherolNot delivered
“Designed for compromised, sensitive skin, this skincare product hydrates and soothes, reducing signs of premature aging and environmental damage.The presence of allantoin in this soothing, milky lotion has a calming effect on red, irritable skin, moisturising and improving blemishes.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy5 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Pentylene glycol~4.3–6.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPrunus mume extract~3.4–5.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glycerin~2.6–3.9%
- 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~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolC13-15 alkane~1.6–2.5%
Panthenol~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolPrunus mume extract~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyglyceryl-6 oleate~1–1.5%
Ceteth-20~0.9–1.4%
Potassium phosphate~0.5–1.2%
Sodium pca~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractPrunus mume extract~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurateCetearyl alcohol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholAllantoin~0.3–0.75%
- 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 AllantoinSodium hyaluronate~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateDicetyl phosphate~0.2–0.8%
Maltodextrin~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil
More about MaltodextrinAlthaea officinalis root extract~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might help to reduce inflammation
More about Althaea officinalis root extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.6%
Sodium phytate~0.1–0.5%
Pantolactone~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about PantolactonePrunus mume extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tocopherol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPrunus mume extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolIngredient list view
Water, Pentylene glycol, Prunus mume extract, Glycerin, Propanediol, C13-15 alkane, Panthenol, Prunus mume extract, Polyglyceryl-6 oleate, Ceteth-20, Potassium phosphate, Sodium pca, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Prunus mume extract, Ammonium polyacryloyldimethyl taurate, Cetearyl alcohol, Allantoin, Sodium hyaluronate, Dicetyl phosphate, Maltodextrin, Althaea officinalis root extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium phytate, Pantolactone, Prunus mume extract, Tocopherol, Prunus mume extract, Phenoxyethanol
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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.
| Paula's choiceCALM Nourishing Milky TonerYOUR PRODUCT | Dr. Barbara SturmHydrating Face Mist | BaleaBeauty Expert Hydrating Toner | ETUDE - SoonJungCica Calming Ampoule Essence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 60% | 58% | 58% |
| Price | $29.00 | $94.90+$65.90 | — | $24.16−$4.84 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobacillus/Portulaca Oleracea Ferment Extract | Urea | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Klairs Daily Skin Hydrating WaterROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Toner
Product summary
"Paula's choice - CALM Nourishing Milky Toner" is effective for: Moisturizing
Ingredient callouts
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) at about 1.30% - 2.00% concentration. In this concentration, Panthenol works effectively to improve the skin barrier and reduce inflammation.
- Humectants (pantolactone 0.10% - 0.40%, sodium hyaluronate 0.30% - 0.70%, sodium pca 0.40% - 1.00%, panthenol 1.30% - 2.00% and glycerin 2.60% - 3.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Paula's choice" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 24.00$ in the United States and from 26.00£ up to 205.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4
- 5Cosmetic use of an ophiopogon japonicus active principlepatents.google.com
- 6
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