Paula's Choice Pore-Reducing Toner vs The Derma Co 2% Salicylic BHA Hydrating Toner

Paula's Choice

The Derma Co

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

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

Toner

26 ingredients

37 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

INR 499.00 · checked 28 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from India

At a Glance

Every check both products could be assessed on comes out the same. 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
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid
Hyaluronic acid3
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

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

Show highlights for:

Water
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
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

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
0 / 0
Propanediol
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol (in both products)
Preservative
0 / —
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
Trehalose
Humectant
0-1 / —
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
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 →
Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →