Versus

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist Versus Byroe Bitter Green Essence Toner

Toner
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on January 21, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist
Bitter Green Essence Toner

Water

Skin Conditioning

Dipropylene Glycol

Masking

Propanediol

Solvent

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Methylpropanediol

Solvent

Centella Asiatica Leaf Water

Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Raffinose

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Disodium EDTA

Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Laminaria Japonica Extract

Skin Protecting

Pvm/Ma Copolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Sodium Polyacrylate

Absorbent

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polyquaternium-51

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Octyldodeceth-16

Emulsifying

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract

Abrasive
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Pteris Multifida Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Tromethamine

Buffering

Fructooligosaccharides

Humectant

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract

Emollient

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Lecithin

Emollient

Corallina Officinalis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract

Emollient

Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Medicago Sativa Extract

Tonic

Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract

Skin Conditioning

Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Asparagus Officinalis Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract

Emollient

Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Prunus Persica Kernel Extract

Moisturising

Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract

Skin Protecting

Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract

Humectant

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Alcohol

Antimicrobial
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Methylpropanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Raffinose, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Sodium Polyacrylate, Beta-Glucan, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-51, 1,2-Hexanediol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Octyldodeceth-16, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract, Cynara Scolymus Leaf Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Pteris Multifida Extract, Tromethamine, Fructooligosaccharides, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Lecithin, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Artemisia Capillaris Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Sprout Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Eruca Sativa Leaf Extract, Medicago Sativa Extract, Triticum Vulgare Sprout Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Asparagus Officinalis Root Extract, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Cimicifuga Racemosa Root Extract, Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract, Prunus Persica Kernel Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Trichosanthes Kirilowii Root Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Ocimum Basilicum Leaf Extract

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

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients, helping to evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product. This ingredient has also been shown to have antimicrobial properties which makes it a preservative booster.

Methylpropanediol is able to add a bit of moisture to the skin. It also helps other ingredients be better absorbed into the skin, such as salicylic acid.

Learn more about Methylpropanediol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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
Emulsifying

Octyldodeceth-16 comes from the fatty-alcohol Octyldodecanol.

Emulsifers keep oils and water ingredients together to create a more even consistency.

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol
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.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

Low molecular weight HA has been shown to hydrate and increase elasticity of the skin. Increasing elasticity is also associated with reduction of wrinkle depth.

One study found topical low molecular weight hyaluronic acid may be considered for the treatment of rosacea in the adult population. However, we always recommend speaking with a professional about your skin concerns.

Hyaluronic acids are a humectant. This means they draw moisture from the air. Hyaluronic acids help moisturize, soothe, and protect the skin.

Read more about other common forms of hyaluronic acid:

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning

Hydrogenated Lecithin is created from the hydrogenation of lecithin (a group of phospholipids). Hydrogenation is a chemical reaction between hydrogen and another element.

This ingredient is an emollient and emulsifier. As an emollient, it helps soften skin by trapping moisture within. As an emulsifier, it prevents oil and water ingredients from separating.

Masking, Perfuming

Parfum is a catch-all term for an ingredient or more that is used to give a scent to products.

Also called "fragrance", this ingredient 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.

For instance, Habanolide is a proprietary trade name for a specific aroma chemical. When used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, most aroma chemicals fall under the broad labeling category of “FRAGRANCE” or “PARFUM” according to EU and US regulations.

The term 'parfum' or 'fragrance' is not regulated in many countries. In many cases, it is up to the brand to define this term.

For instance, many brands choose to label themselves as "fragrance-free" because they are not using synthetic fragrances. However, their products may still contain ingredients such as essential oils that are considered a fragrance by INCI standards.

One example is Calendula flower extract. Calendula is an essential oil that still imparts a scent or 'fragrance'.

Depending on the blend, the ingredients in the mixture can cause allergies and sensitivities on the skin. Some ingredients that are known EU allergens include linalool and citronellol.

Parfum can also be used to mask or cover an unpleasant scent.

The bottom line is: not all fragrances/parfum/ingredients are created equally. If you are worried about fragrances, we recommend taking a closer look at an ingredient. And of course, we always recommend speaking with a professional.

Learn more about Parfum

When to use

2 Routines
100% use in am
0% use in pm
100% use every day
17 Routines
59% use in am
41% use in pm
100% use every day