Hero Cosmetics balancing capsule toner

Ingredients overview

Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.

Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.

1. Water
2. Butylene Glycol
3. Dipropylene Glycol
4. Glycerin
5. 1,2-Hexanediol
6. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
7. Betaine
8. Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
9. Hamamelis Virginiana Extract
10. Zinc Pca
11. Salix Alba Bark Extract
12. Sodium Hyaluronate
13. Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
14. Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
15. Hyaluronic Acid
16. Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
17. Potassium Hyaluronate
18. Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
19. Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
20. Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide
21. Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
22. Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract
23. Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
24. Mandelic Acid
25. Glycolic Acid
26. Tocopherol
27. Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
28. Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
29. Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
30. Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract
31. Bifida Ferment Lysate
32. Eclipta Prostrata Extract
33. C12-14 Pareth-12
34. Gelatin
35. Tromethamine
36. Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
37. Allantoin
38. Trehalose
39. Pentylene Glycol
40. Agar
41. Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum
42. Acacia Senegal Gum
43. Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate
44. Biosaccharide Gum-1
45. Cellulose Gum
46. Carbomer
47. Ubiquinone
48. Xanthan Gum
49. Xanthophyll
50. Ethylhexylglycerin

Highlights

Free of alcoholFree of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of formaldehyde releasersContains essential oilsContains EU-26 allergensContains animal-derivedContains fragrance

Formulation view This toner uses a polyol system (butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol) for immediate hydration, featuring a complex of various hyaluronic acid molecular weights combined with green tea and witch hazel extracts. Zinc PCA and salicin targets oil control and soothing. Preservation relies on 1,2-hexanediol alongside hyaluronate derivatives. It suits oily and combination skin for water-oil balance. Factory observation: the formula combines multi-stage hydration and astringent ingredients, reflecting a refined skincare approach.

Key ingredients

ANTIPLAQUE

Water

HUMECTANT

Butylene Glycol

FRAGRANCE

Dipropylene GlycolCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water

DENATURANT

Glycerin

SKIN CONDITIONING

1,2-Hexanediol

HAIR CONDITIONING

Betaine

Other ingredients

Hamamelis Virginiana ExtractZinc PcaSalix Alba Bark ExtractSodium HyaluronateHydrolyzed Hyaluronic AcidHydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateHyaluronic AcidHydroxypropyltrimonium HyaluronatePotassium HyaluronateSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerSodium Acetylated HyaluronateTremella Fuciformis PolysaccharideCitrus Junos Fruit ExtractAnanas Sativus Fruit ExtractSalvia Officinalis Leaf ExtractMandelic AcidGlycolic AcidTocopherolMoringa Oleifera Seed OilMelia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractGalactomyces Ferment FiltratePseudoalteromonas Ferment ExtractBifida Ferment LysateEclipta Prostrata ExtractC12-14 Pareth-12GelatinTromethamineAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerAllantoinTrehalosePentylene GlycolAgarCyamopsis Tetragonoloba GumAcacia Senegal GumTetrasodium IminodisuccinateBiosaccharide Gum-1Cellulose GumCarbomerUbiquinoneXanthan GumXanthophyllEthylhexylglycerin

Skim through

Ingredients explained

Water

Primary solvent and base; requires preservative system to prevent microbial growth

Butylene Glycol

Polyol humectant and solvent at 1–5%; aids solubilization, light feel

Dipropylene Glycol

Solvent for essential oils; better humectancy than PEG

Glycerin

Workhorse humectant at 3–10%; tacky at high levels, pair with occlusives

1,2-Hexanediol

Polyol solvent and preservative booster at 1–5%; light feel, can replace some traditional preservatives

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Light occlusive and solvent at 1–10%; non-greasy feel, suitable for oily and combination skin

Betaine

Betaine for mild moisturizing/surfactant; low concentration 1-2% common, high may irritate.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water

Green tea leaf water containing polyphenols; offers soothing, astringent, and antioxidant effects, often a base for toners.

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Botanical extract for astringent and sebum control; mild irritation risk for sensitive skin at high concentrations.

Zinc Pca

Zinc salt for sebum control and antimicrobial; often paired with PCA sodium, high levels may cause sensitization

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Contains natural salicylic acid precursors, mild exfoliating and antibacterial; may irritate at high levels; avoid in sensitive skin.

Sodium Hyaluronate

Potent humectant at 0.1–2%; different MW for penetration depth, high levels may draw moisture

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Low-MW humectant with superior penetration vs high-MW; 0.1-0.5% typical, hygroscopic, store dry to prevent clumping.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid derivative with better penetration and strong hydration; different molecular weights provide hydration at various depths, typical concentration 0.1-1%.

Hyaluronic Acid

High-water-binding humectant at 0.1-1%; high-MW for surface film, low-MW for dermal potential, check cationic compatibility.

Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate

Cationic hyaluronic acid, 0.1–1%; water-soluble thickener and conditioning agent.

Potassium Hyaluronate

Hyaluronic salt, excellent humectant; efficacy varies with MW, best with occlusive base

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Crosslinked high-MW HA; forms surface hydrogel for long-lasting hydration, minimal penetration, physical film-forming.

Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate

Acetylated HA; modified for hydrophobicity, improved penetration and non-tacky feel compared to standard HA.

Tremella Fuciformis Polysaccharide

Tremella polysaccharide; high-hold humectant that forms a water-retaining film, low irritation

Citrus Junos Fruit Extract

Yuzu peel extract; provides antioxidants, low concentration reduces photosensitivity risk.

Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract

Pineapple extract with protease and Vit C; mild AHA exfoliant; may irritate at high levels, use caution.

Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract

Herbal extract for seborrhea control, antibacterial action, and oral care; high levels may irritate sensitive skin.

Mandelic Acid

Alpha-hydroxy acid for exfoliation and antibacterial effects; mild penetration, less photosensitivity than other AHAs

Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid for exfoliation; requires buffering at concentrations >10%, avoid combination with other acids.

Tocopherol

Natural antioxidant (vitamin E) at 0.1–1%; prone to oxidation, store protected from light

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Light emollient oil rich in oleic acid; moderate comedogenic risk.

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Plant extract, 0.1–1%; has antibacterial properties, allergy testing advised.

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

Galactomyces ferment filtrate humectant; complex matrix, assess allergens and stability.

Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract

Microbial ferment for humectancy and skin conditioning; gentle.

Bifida Ferment Lysate

Bifida lysate for skin conditioning; low usage, suits sensitive skin

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Eclipta prostrata extract used for antioxidant and hair coloring; water-soluble, low irritation and comedogenic risk at typical levels.

C12-14 Pareth-12

Not decoded yet

Gelatin

Animal-derived film former for capsules/masks; pH-sensitive, prone to microbial degradation.

Tromethamine

pH adjuster, alkaline; precise dosing required

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Crosspolymer for thickening/film; needs neutralization to pH 7-8 to hydrate, check ion strength.

Allantoin

Skin soother at 0.5-2%; promotes cell regeneration

Trehalose

Trehalose; mild humectant and stabilizer for proteins/actives; hygroscopic, light skin feel.

Pentylene Glycol

Polyol humectant at 1-3%; low irritancy, suitable for sensitive skin

Agar

Natural polysaccharide gelling agent for thickening and suspension; may gel at high levels, avoid cationic systems

Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba Gum

Guar gum, natural thickener/stabiliser at 0.5–2%; biodegradable, dry film may feel astringent

Acacia Senegal Gum

Natural film-former and fragrance agent; used for viscosity or film, check purity for allergens

Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate

Mild chelator replacing EDTAs; binds metal ions to prevent oxidation; biodegradable and low irritancy.

Biosaccharide Gum-1

Biosaccharide Gum-1, fermented colloid for hydration and soothing, low comedogenic.

Cellulose Gum

Cellulose gum, water-soluble thickener/stabilizer; may destabilize with cationics, hydrate first.

Carbomer

Gelling thickener requiring neutralization; watch out for ion compatibility

Ubiquinone

Coenzyme Q10 analog used as an antioxidant; prone to discoloration, needs protection from light and air.

Xanthan Gum

Natural thickener at 0.1–1%; provides gel texture, pH-stable, requires full hydration

Xanthophyll

Carotenoid pigment for coloring; light-sensitive, store protected from light, may discolor at high levels

Ethylhexylglycerin

Mild conditioner and preservative booster at 0.5–1%; reduces preservative load, smooth feel