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Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner for Gentle Exfoliation and Hydration
The Ordinary
$14.00
View Product ↗Ingredients
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Citric acid is a naturally occurring organic acid commonly used in skincare products as an exfoliant and pH balancer. It belongs to a group of ingredients called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help remove dead skin cells from the surface.
Benefits
- Gentle exfoliation to improve skin texture and appearance
- Helps reduce the appearance of keratosis and acne
- Balances product pH to maintain skin compatibility
Potential concerns
- Can cause irritation, redness, or sensitivity in some users, especially with prolonged or frequent use
- May increase sun sensitivity — sunscreen use is recommended when using AHA products
- Not suitable for very sensitive or compromised skin without caution
Science: Citric acid is an established AHA used in cosmetics for superficial peeling and skin appearance improvement, though research emphasizes that caution should be exercised due to potential adverse reactions. It is widely produced industrially and well-established in skincare formulations.
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Sodium citrate is a salt derived from citric acid that acts as a pH buffer and preservative in skincare products. It helps stabilize formulations and maintain skin compatibility by regulating acidity levels.
Benefits
- Helps maintain optimal pH balance in skincare formulas
- Preservative that extends product shelf life
- Gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types
Science: Sodium citrate is recognized as safe for topical use in cosmetics and has a long history of food and pharmaceutical applications. The research provided relates to its use as an anticoagulant in medical settings and as a buffering agent in sports nutrition, demonstrating its established safety profile across multiple industries.
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Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that prevents bacteria, yeast, and mold from growing in skincare products, helping them stay fresh and safe to use. It has been used safely in cosmetics for decades and is effective at very low concentrations.
Benefits
- Prevents microbial contamination and product spoilage
- Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeast
- Minimal impact on beneficial skin bacteria when used at approved levels
Potential concerns
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
- May cause irritation if used in products at concentrations above 1%
Science: The European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety considers phenoxyethanol safe for all consumers, including children, at concentrations up to 1%. Adverse effects observed in animal studies required exposure levels approximately 200 times higher than those in cosmetic products, and it is classified as one of the most well-tolerated preservatives in cosmetics.
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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is a chelating agent, which means it binds to trace metals in cosmetic formulas to keep products stable and prevent discoloration or degradation. It's used in small amounts primarily to maintain product quality rather than directly benefit your skin.
Benefits
- Extends product shelf life
- Prevents oxidation and discoloration
- Improves formula stability
Science: Limited peer-reviewed data available for this ingredient. It is approved for cosmetic use under EU and US regulations as a chelating agent and is considered safe at the low concentrations used in skincare formulations.
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Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative used in skincare products to prevent bacterial and fungal growth, extending shelf life. It's a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that helps keep products safe from contamination during storage and use.
Benefits
- Prevents microbial contamination in skincare formulations
- Extends product shelf life
- Allows formulas to remain stable without refrigeration
Potential concerns
- May cause irritation to sensitive eyes and eye area when present in eye products
- Degrades under UV exposure, potentially creating more harmful breakdown products
- Limited long-term safety data in peer-reviewed literature
Science: Research shows chlorphenesin can be toxic to eye tissue cells at approved concentrations, particularly affecting meibomian glands. When exposed to sunlight, it breaks down into compounds like 4-chlorophenol that may be more ecotoxic than the original ingredient, though systemic absorption in skincare is typically minimal.
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Yeast extract is a nutrient-rich ingredient derived from brewer's yeast that contains proteins, amino acids, nucleotides, and trace elements. In skincare, it's used to support skin repair and resilience, with potential benefits for anti-aging and wound healing.
Benefits
- May support collagen synthesis and skin firmness
- Provides antioxidant protection against oxidative stress
- Could improve skin barrier function and wound healing
- May help reduce inflammation and melanin production
Potential concerns
- May cause sensitivity or irritation in individuals allergic to yeast or fermented ingredients
- Limited human clinical trial data; most evidence comes from cell studies
Science: Research shows yeast extract is rich in bioactive compounds including nucleotides that enhance fibroblast activity (skin cell repair), and demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in cell models. However, most published studies focus on yeast-derived extracts in food or enhanced formulations rather than direct topical skincare efficacy in human subjects.
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Squalane is a lightweight, skin-identical oil derived from squalene (a natural component of human sebum). It absorbs easily into the skin to lock in moisture and create a smooth, soft feel without leaving a greasy residue.
Benefits
- Hydrates and moisturizes skin
- Mimics skin's natural oils for better compatibility
- Lightweight emollient that doesn't clog pores
- Antioxidant properties
- Well-tolerated by most skin types
Science: The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel confirmed squalane is safe for cosmetic use at typical concentrations (2023). Research demonstrates skin hydrating and emollient activity, and squalane is naturally present in human sebum at ~13%, making it biocompatible with skin.
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Sodium Hydroxide is a strong alkaline chemical used in skincare products primarily as a pH buffer to neutralize acids and adjust the product's pH to safe levels for skin. It is not an active skincare ingredient and appears only in trace amounts in finished products.
Potential concerns
- In concentrated form, sodium hydroxide is caustic and can cause severe chemical burns; however, in cosmetic products it is diluted and pH-buffered to safe levels
- Undiluted or highly concentrated sodium hydroxide should never contact skin directly
Science: The provided research discusses sodium hydroxide only in a specialized medical context (10% solution for surgical cauterization of ingrown toenails), which is not relevant to cosmetic skincare use. In properly formulated skincare products, sodium hydroxide is used in minimal concentrations solely for pH adjustment and is considered safe by regulatory bodies including the FDA and EU.
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Isoceteth-20 is a gentle, plant-derived emulsifier and surfactant that helps blend water and oil-based ingredients in skincare formulas. It's commonly used in creams and lotions to create a stable, smooth texture that absorbs easily into skin.
Benefits
- Helps stabilize skincare formulas
- Improves texture and spreadability
- Supports delivery of active ingredients into skin layers
Science: Research shows isoceteth-20 effectively helps deliver antioxidant compounds (like idebenone) into the upper layers of skin without causing permeation beyond the epidermis, making it a safe choice for targeting skincare actives where they're needed. It is classified as a non-ionic emulsifier with a well-established safety profile in cosmetics.
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Water is the primary ingredient in most skincare products, serving as a base that dissolves and carries other active ingredients. It hydrates the skin surface and helps other beneficial compounds penetrate effectively.
Benefits
- Hydrates and plumps the skin
- Helps deliver other skincare ingredients
- Essential solvent for product formulation
Science: Water is a fundamental component of skin physiology and cosmetic formulations. No safety concerns exist for topical application; it is non-irritating and universally safe for all skin types.
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Lauryl glucoside is a gentle, plant-derived surfactant (cleansing agent) made by combining a natural sugar with a fatty acid. It's commonly used in cleansers and shampoos to remove dirt and oil from skin while being milder than many synthetic alternatives.
Benefits
- Effective at cleansing without stripping skin
- Biodegradable and environmentally sustainable
- Gentler on skin compared to harsher surfactants
Potential concerns
- Can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals
- May cause irritation at high concentrations or with repeated exposure
Science: Lauryl glucoside is valued for its biodegradability and skin-gentleness in cosmetics. However, research shows it can trigger allergic contact reactions in some people, particularly those with existing sensitivities to similar surfactants like decyl glucoside.
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Analysis not yet available for this ingredient.
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Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate is a natural-derived emulsifier that helps blend oil and water-based ingredients together in skincare formulas. It comes from renewable sources (plant-derived glycerin and lauric acid) and is designed to create stable, smooth-textured products while maintaining a light feel on the skin.
Benefits
- Helps create stable emulsions with a smooth, non-greasy texture
- Derived from natural/renewable sources, making it a sustainable choice
- Contributes to good skin slip and glide during application
- Works effectively at low concentrations (2-3%), minimizing ingredient load
Science: Recent research shows this ingredient performs well as part of a natural emulsifier blend in oil-in-water emulsions, with formulations containing 2-3% of this emulsifier combined with plant-derived emollients producing stable products with good sensory properties and low friction on skin.
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