Versus

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA Versus COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on March 30, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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
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
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
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 
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.

When to use

592 Routines
37% use in am
63% use in pm
75% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
398 Routines
52% use in am
48% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA 24 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 17 ratings
Light (10) Works Well (7) Absorbs Well (5)
fawns's avatar

🐾

10 months ago
Review

♡︎
- 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗁𝗈𝗅𝗒 𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗅 𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗆
- 𝗁𝖾𝗅𝗉𝗌 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗆𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌
- 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝖾𝗑𝖿𝗈𝗅𝗂𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝖽𝗋𝗒 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇
- 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗌 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇 𝖻𝖺𝖻𝗒 𝗌𝗈𝖿𝗍 𝗂𝗆𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀
- 𝗂𝗌 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗁𝗒𝖽𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
- 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
rynas's avatar

rynas

1 year ago
Review

did well with texture and exfoliation, didn’t do much for acne like it claims and wasn’t irritating at all. scent is a little weird so keep that in mind. all in all ok toner but not anything mind blowing with amazing benefits. i have normal to oily skin and am acne prone

#light
#light scent

COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner 13 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (5) Hydrating (5) Great Value (4)
nicolehancock's avatar

Nicole Hancock

8 months ago
Review

This hydrates my skin very well and gives that “glass skin” look. It doesn’t feel sticky and absorbs quickly. But something in this is breaking me out, no idea which ingredient is the culprit. Gives me tiny pimples in different areas of my face each day I use it. I’m disappointed because it seems like a great product for those with sensitive acne prone skin like myself, but my skin just doesn’t Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#broke me out
#irritating
mimiel's avatar

mimiel

7 months ago
Review

This is so hydrating and great for my combination sensitive skin! It’s also way better than the isntree ultra low molecular toner in terms of hydration and results it provides. This toner did not make my face burn nor red in fact it calmed down my redness and provided me with a great amount of hydration, I also noticed how my makeup base was a lot more flawless than before. Not to mention this Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well