Works for
ExfoliationGluconolactoneWorks well
“The INKEY List PHA Toner is a gentle exfoliating facial toner designed to improve uneven skin texture, dullness and the appearance of enlarged pores while maintaining hydration.”
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: gluconolactone.
Evens skin toneGluconolactone, NiacinamideWorks well
“Added 3% Niacinamide helps balance excess oil and improve skin tone, while Aloe Vera helps soothe and calm the skin.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: gluconolactone, 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, Gluconolactone + 4 moreWorks well
“The INKEY List PHA Toner is a gentle exfoliating facial toner designed to improve uneven skin texture, dullness and the appearance of enlarged pores while maintaining hydration.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice.
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
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Aloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–34%
- 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 juiceWater~12–18%
Propanediol~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolGluconolactone~3.8–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that helps shed the dead cells from the skin surface revealing smoother skin. Is believed to be genter than AHAs. It helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can stimulate production of skin's own hyaluronic acid resulting in improved hydration levels. It has been shown to be helpful against acne and clogged pores if used consistently (e.g over a period of 12 weeks) in high enough concentration. It can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin tone with long-term application. Can help neutralize free radicals
More about GluconolactoneNiacinamide3%
- 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 NiacinamidePentylene glycol~2.8–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolGlycerin~1.9–2.9%
- 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 GlycerinAloe barbadensis leaf juice~1.4–2.1%
- 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 juicePotassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Ppg-26-buteth-26~0.85–1.3%
Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil1,2-hexanediol~0.3–0.7%
Caprylyl glycol~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolEthylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.45%
Citric acid~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Ingredient list view
Unknown, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Water, Propanediol, Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, Pentylene glycol, Glycerin, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ppg-26-buteth-26, Peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide
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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.
| The INKEY List CAPHA Gentle TonerYOUR PRODUCT | GlossierSolution | Dermfactors10% Tranexamic Acid Toner | Pestle & MortarNMF Lactic Acid Natural Moisturising Factor Solution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 95% | 94% |
| Price | $18.00 | $30.00+$12.00 | — | $41.44+$23.44 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Salicylic Acid | Allantoin | Lactic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Peel PadNatura Bissé Stabilizing Resurfacing Essence
Product summary
"The INKEY List CA - PHA Gentle Toner" is effective for: Exfoliation, Moisturizing and Evens skin tone
Ingredient callouts
- A good concentration of Niacinamide (2.70% - 4.00%). Niacinamide is a well-studied multi-tasking active. It is stable, and can work well in almost any hydrating formulation. There is solid evidence that Niacinamide can help support skin barrier, regulate oil production and reduce acne and clogged pores. It also helps to fight photodamage and improve the skin tone, reducing pigmentation marks.
- Exfoliating acids (). In this concentration, they will have a noticeable exfoliating effect. They can also have an anti-aging effect and stimulate collagen production in a long-run. PHAs (gluconolactone 3.60% (declared)) in this product also work for improving skin hydration. They might be even able to stimulate the production of skin's natural humectants and support the healthy skin microbiome.
- Humectants (glycerin 1.60% - 2.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "The INKEY List CA" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 15.49CA$ up to 20.50CA$ in Canada, from 9.00£ up to 13.00£ in the United Kingdom, from 11.49$ up to 15.00$ in the United States and for 125.00HK$ in Hong Kong.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
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