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Updated on February 26, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Toner
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Toner
Toner
South Korean Brand South Korea
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Essence
South Korean Brand South Korea

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients
ph level
5.84

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Tea Tree Relief Toner
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Water Antimicrobial, Antiseborrhoeic, Astringent
Good for Oily Skin

This ingredient is created by distilling parts of the tea tree plant. The bark and leaves of the tea tree plant are rich in Terpinen, an antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory ingredient.

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water is created by distilling centella asiatica leaves. Centella Asiatica is a herb native to Southeast Asia.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Water 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.

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Pentylene Glycol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
3 Benefits

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
3 Benefits

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Emulsifying
Oil  •  Not safe for Fungal Acne

Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil comes from hydrogenated castor oil. It is a solubilizer and emulsifier.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Parfum Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance  •  2 Concerns

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give aroma to products. Parfum, or fragrance, can be a blend of hundreds of chemicals or plant oils. This means every product with "fragrance" or "Parfum" in the ingredients list is a different mixture.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.

Portulaca Oleracea Extract Skin Conditioning

Portulaca Oleracea Extract is an extract of the whole plant of the Purslane, Portulaca oleracea L., Portulacaceae. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.

Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract Masking, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Perilla Frutescens Leaf Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Aspalathus Linearis Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Aspalathus Linearis Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Bleaching, Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Good for Dark Spots

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract is an extract of the roots of Licorice. It has been found to have several benefits such as skin hydrating, conditioning, and soothing.

Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

Ginseng Essence Water
Panax Ginseng Root Water Masking, Skin Protecting, Tonic

Panax Ginseng Root Water is created by distilling ginseng, popular herb from Asia. This root contains antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide  •  6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Water 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.

Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant
Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Glyceryl Glucoside Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Glyceryl Glucoside is made from glycerol and glucose.

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->
Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Helps reduce irritation

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
3 Benefits

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0
3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Adenosine Skin Conditioning
2 Benefits

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Panax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract Skin Conditioning

This ingredient comes from the callus cells of ginseng.

Theobroma Cacao Extract Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree.

Dextrin Absorbent

Dextrin is used to thicken a product and helps bind ingredients together. It is created from starch and glycogen.

Glucose Humectant

Glucose is a simple sugar and is the most important source of energy in all organisms. In skincare, glucose is used to hydrate the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic for our natural biome.

Panax Ginseng Root Extract Emollient, Skin Protecting, Tonic
2 Benefits

Panax Ginseng Root is a popular herb from Asia. This root contains antioxidants, favonoids, and vitamins B12 and D.

Panax Ginseng Berry Extract Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

We don't have a description for Panax Ginseng Berry Extract.

Lactobacillus Skin Conditioning

Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria. It makes up most of the food fermenting lactic acid bacteria. It is used to create wine, yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, beer, cider, kimchi, cocoa, kefir.

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
Hyaluronic Acid

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Smoothing
Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Liked

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Mixed

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.

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Tea Tree Relief Toner
13
4
2
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Ginseng Essence Water
19
3
2
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

93 Routines
49% use in am
51% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
2,757 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Toner 22 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
AlexandraR's avatar

AlexandraR

1 year ago · Oily Skin
Review

Tried and true
I have used this toner for about 3-4 months and it has helped with my combination/oily skin. It is gentle enough not to dry out my...

Tried and true
I have used this toner for about 3-4 months and it has helped with my combination/oily skin. It is gentle enough not to dry out my skin, while still really helping with the sebum production.
I have moved on from it just because I want to experiment with other products - otherwise it is a tried and true product: it has even helped with keeping the ocassional breakouts at bay.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water 24 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 37 ratings
Hydrating (12) Works Well (9) Absorbs Well (9) Light (9) Great Value (8) Light Scent (6)
laila.21's avatar

laila.21

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It gives a nice hydrating boost but I didn't see much difference, so I'm still stuck with the first bottle after 4 months.
It stings sometimes so...

It gives a nice hydrating boost but I didn't see much difference, so I'm still stuck with the first bottle after 4 months.
It stings sometimes so I wouldn't repurchase it again.
🎀Update: I gave this product another chance to see if it works since the ingredients were too good, so I used it as a toner for 15 days and I loved it.
Not only did it hydrate my skin, but it brightened my old acne marks and face in general.
But it was my mistake using it with the Anua toner as it burnt with it.
sorry for judging too early 😭 and I think I would repurchase it.

rachaelolivia's avatar

rachael 🦋

4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

love this!!! <3 i got this about a year ago and it helped my skin a lot, it’s so hydrating for me and gives me a nice glow without being oily. it...

love this!!! <3 i got this about a year ago and it helped my skin a lot, it’s so hydrating for me and gives me a nice glow without being oily. it also has great ingredients! i have very oily + blemished skin but also sensitive and can get dry patches and this never breaks me out. i stopped using this after a while and tried other things but have gone back to this as it’s the best for my skin. it reduces sensitivity and helps brighten my dark spots from old spots and helps heal new ones :)