Paula's Choice Pore-Reducing Toner vs Dermalogica micro-pore mist

Paula's Choice

Dermalogica

A toner built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and hydration.

A toner built around Niacinamide and Astringent, for hydration and barrier repair.

Toner

26 ingredients

24 ingredients

Brand price

USD 32.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 25.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Vegan; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)1
Tannin-bearing astringents such as witch hazel.
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleth-10
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Oleth-10, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleth-10

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polysorbate 20
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
May Worsen Eczema3
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal
May Worsen Rosacea3
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Hexyl Cinnamal

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
- Anti-Aging
- Firming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arctium Lappa
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium PCA
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hydrating

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
Skin Conditioning
- Astringent (witch hazel / tannin)
- Oil Control
- Reduces Irritation
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Lactobacillus Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Lactobacillus
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 20 (in both products)
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Panthenol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing, Emulsifying
Polysorbate 20 isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Polysorbate 20 →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →