Versus

Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion Versus Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner

Toner
Toner
French Brand France
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 21, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe toners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

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

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Calming Deep Moisture Toner

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
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
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
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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

It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.

Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.

This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.

Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol

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

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

30 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
100% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
207 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion 29 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

I really don't understand the magic behind it: If you check the formula, as many other Clarins products, there aren't many active ingredients to help with any specific concerns. It's just some plant derivatives and tons of fragrances and perfume. But still, every single time I use it, it provides a very natural and healthy glow to my skin, even clearing out some of my milder acne and feeling Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner 31 ingredients

3.7 /5
from 3 ratings
No Scent (2) Light (2) Drying (1)
RemiShen's avatar

Remi Shen

2 months ago
Review

This toner is light and layers easily. I personally found it stung and irritated my sensitive skin, so I ended up passing it off to my husband. He has oily skin and said it's a nice toner but it doesn't feel like it does anything. I haven't had much luck with this brand and its products.

#drying
#irritating
#light
#no scent
julijabeinarte's avatar

Julija Beinarte

27 days ago
Review

makes my skin glow, but i think it should really be used as a gentle exfoliating toner (1-3 times a week). had the mistake of using it every day and ruined my skin barrier, thought it was just moisturising.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well