Versus

Medik8 Press and Clear Tonic Versus Medik8 Press And Glow Tonic

Toner
Toner
British Brand United Kingdom
British Brand United Kingdom

Updated on August 03, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.

This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

This ingredient comes from potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Both potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

You'll often find this ingredient used with other preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate
Masking, Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.

Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.

It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.

Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.

We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Sodium Benzoate

When to use

66 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
70% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
153 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Medik8 Press and Clear Tonic 30 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (2) Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1)
farzanponkh1's avatar

Farzan Ponkh

17 hours ago
Review

If i could give it a 10/5 i would
If you have sensetive skin this is HEAVEN for you
Non irritating!!!
Encapsulated SA
pH 5.5 which is INSANE for a bha toner
I would never say a bha toner is good enough for the barrier for daily use but holy this is gentle enough for daily use (i won’t i alternate nights between this and adapalene) and my skin has NEVER looked better
10 10 10 across the Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well
PNW1996's avatar

M X

6 months ago
Review

This is a BHA toner with a 5.5ph. Hard to find a formulation like that anywhere else. This makes it easier on people like me who have dry skin

#works well

Medik8 Press And Glow Tonic 13 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Light (2) Drying (1) Expensive (1)
verenski's avatar

verenski

8 months ago
Review

Not for me! Too harsh and the price is ridiculous!

#drying
#irritating
#light
redshoesmatcha's avatar

Elsie

6 months ago
Review

There are better products out there that isn't this harsh and expensive.

#doesn't work
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