PSA Skin Heroine: Mandelic & Licorice Superfood Glow Toner
Works for
Anti-blemishNiacinamide, Mandelic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“Designed to reduce blemishes, refine pores, and enhance your glow, the HEROINE Mandelic and Licorice Superfood Glow Toner uses 6% mandelic and lactic acid, niacinamide, licorice root and botanical extracts to make pores appear tighter and clearer.”
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: mandelic acid
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks well
“Perfect for brightening the complexion, calming irritation and replenishing moisture, this toner needs to make an appearance in your routine.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
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
ExfoliationMandelic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
“An exfoliating toner. This toner will be the hero (or heroine) for your skin.”
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: mandelic acid.
Evens skin toneSide benefit · Mandelic acid, Niacinamide + 3 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: mandelic acid, 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: glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, punica granatum extract.
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-agingSide benefit · Niacinamide, Lactic acid + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
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-oxidationSide benefit · Punica granatum extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract + 5 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).
The following ingredients - punica granatum extract also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
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Water~40–60%
Polysorbate 20~4.7–7.1%
Mandelic acid~3.6–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps shed the upper layer of dead cells from the surface of the skin revealing smoother, brighter skin. It can help to reduce hyperpigmentation. It has anti-bacterial properties, and might help to reduce blemishes, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It is considered to be gentler than glycolic acid
More about Mandelic acidGlycerin~2.7–4%
- 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~2.1–3.1%
- 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 NiacinamideLactic acid~1.7–2.6%
- 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 acidLeuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate~1.5–2.2%
- 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 filtrateBisabolol~1.2–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCaprylyl glycol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium hydroxide~0.85–1.3%
Allantoin~0.5–1.2%
- 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 AllantoinGlycyrrhiza glabra root extract~0.45–1%
- 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 extractSaccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A fermented sweet black tea. There is no studies on particular benefits of this ingredient in skin. It can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin, and might have some anti-oxidant effect. It is used in skincare for mostly marketing purposes because of the popularity of kombucha drinks
More about Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea fermentCentella asiatica extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has been shown to be able to reduce inflammation in skin, support restoration of skin barrier function, as well as support collagen production. Contains active compounds called centelloids: asiaticoside, madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid. Might be helpful in preventing stretch marks. It can be itself be irritating though.
More about Centella asiatica extractPunica granatum extract~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin and even out the skin tone, but is typically used in products in a concentration that is too low to be effective
More about Punica granatum extractVaccinium angustifolium fruit extract~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract tha can have anti-oxidant properties, but evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extractCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.2–0.75%
- 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 extractSodium hyaluronate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronatePanthenol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateDimethyl sulfone~0.1–0.35%
Hydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersHydroxyethylcellulose~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseXanthan gum~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium gluconate~0.05–0.1%
Ingredient list view
Water, Polysorbate 20, Mandelic acid, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Lactic acid, Leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, Bisabolol, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium hydroxide, Allantoin, Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract, Saccharomyces/xylinum/black tea ferment, Centella asiatica extract, Punica granatum extract, Vaccinium angustifolium fruit extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Sodium hyaluronate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl acetate, Dimethyl sulfone, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan gum, Sodium gluconate
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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.
| PSA SkinHeroine: Mandelic & Licorice Superfood Glow TonerYOUR PRODUCT | Purposeful Skincare by Allies (PSA)Heroine Mandelic & Licorice Superfood Glow Toner | psaHEROINE Mandelic & Licorice Superfood Glow Toner | Skincare by Dr VSuper Hydrating Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 80% | 79% |
| Price | — | — | $36.00 | $28.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 13 of 13 | 12 of 13 | 6 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | — | Hyaluronic Acid | Urea |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: ARZTIN A-Cera Barrier Ampoule TonerMD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson Vitamin C Exfoliating Treatment
Product summary
"PSA Skin - Heroine: Mandelic & Licorice Superfood Glow Toner" is effective for: Anti-blemish, Moisturizing, Exfoliation, Evens skin tone and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.10% - 3.10%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Exfoliating acids (lactic acid 1.70% - 2.60% and mandelic acid 3.60% - 5.50%). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. Lactic Acid can also help to attract water to the upper layer (works as a humectant).
- In addition, this product contains Allantoin (0.50% - 1.20%). Allantoin is helpful in wound-healing and can help restore the skin barrier faster. It might also be able to improve scars, but the evidence is not very strong for this.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.15% - 0.60% and glycerin 2.70% - 4.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 28.00$ in the United States and for 35.00£ 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 24 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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