Secret Nature Mandarine Honey Brightening Moisturizing Toner
Works for
Evens skin toneNiacinamide, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Ingredients of vitamin complex and a whitening functional substance Niacinamide improve dark spots and dull skin tone.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: betaine salicylate, niacinamide
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.
MoisturizingNiacinamide, Propolis extract + 8 moreWorks well
“Mandarine Honey Brightening Moisturizing Toner”
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
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Adenosine + 5 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: centella asiatica extract, folic acid.
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.
ExfoliationSide benefit the brand mentions · Betaine salicylateWorks well
“Lightly wipe the face in the direction of the skin texture to remove dead skin cells from the 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: betaine salicylate.
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · Niacinamide, Betaine salicylate + 2 moreWorks 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.
In addition, this product contains betaine salicylate. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Centella asiatica extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract + 5 moreMay help
This product contains antioxidants (camellia sinensis leaf extract, centella asiatica extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus unshiu peel extract, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Citrus unshiu peel extract~4.3–6.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
Propanediol~3.4–5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolNiacinamide~2.7–4%
- 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 Niacinamide1,2-hexanediol~1–1.6%
Propolis extract~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
More about Propolis extractBetaine~1.3–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineC12-14 pareth-12~1.2–1.8%
Butylene glycol~0.9–1.35%
- 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 glycolBetaine salicylate~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Exfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
More about Betaine salicylateSodium citrate~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCitric acid~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilAdenosine~0.15–0.55%
- 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 AdenosineDisodium edta~0.15–0.5%
Centella asiatica extract~0.15–0.65%
- 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 extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractBrassica oleracea italica extract~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Brassica oleracea italica extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractGlycerin~0.05–0.3%
- 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 GlycerinTocopherol~0.05–0.15%
- 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 TocopherolFolic acid~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help stimulate collagen production in skin. While available studies are promising, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy in skin
More about Folic acidAscorbic acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidIngredient list view
Water, Citrus unshiu peel extract, Propanediol, Niacinamide, 1,2-hexanediol, Propolis extract, Betaine, C12-14 pareth-12, Butylene glycol, Betaine salicylate, Sodium citrate, Citric acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Adenosine, Disodium edta, Centella asiatica extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Brassica oleracea italica extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Folic acid, Ascorbic 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.
| Secret NatureMandarine Honey Brightening Moisturizing TonerYOUR PRODUCT | BANOBAGIMilk Thistle Repair Toner | innisfreeBlack Tea Youth Enhancing Treatment Essence | Thank You FarmerBakuvita Treatment Toner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 95% | 94% | 93% |
| Price | — | $31.09 | $29.05 | $20.08 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Madecassoside | Hexapeptide-9 | Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Saem Repair Rx TonerMISSHA Time Revolution The First Essence 97 Extreme Ferment Renewed
Product summary
"Secret Nature - Mandarine Honey Brightening Moisturizing Toner" is effective for: Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Exfoliation, Anti-blemish and Anti-aging
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.01% - 0.05%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
- Adenosine 0.15% - 0.55%. It is a chemical present inside our skin cells. A clinical trial confirmed that topical application of Adenosine in a low concentration can reduce dynamic wrinkles (these are the wrinkles that appear with age in a places where our mimic is the most active, for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead).
- Humectants (glycerin 0.05% - 0.30% and betaine 1.30% - 2.00%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 19.17$ 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 16 studies and safety reviews.
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