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COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Versus Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and reef safe toners. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens 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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
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.

Salix Alba Bark Water Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Salix Alba Bark Water is created by distilling parts from the white willow tree. The white willow tree is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Pyrus Malus Fruit Water Masking

Pyrus Malus Fruit Water is created by distilling parts of the apple.

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.
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.

Sodium Lactate Buffering, Humectant

Sodium Lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid, an AHA. It is a humectant and used to adjust the pH of a product.

Glycolic Acid Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 7 Benefits 2 Concerns

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.

Betaine Salicylate Antimicrobial
BHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
BHABHA Icon 2 Benefits May worsen RosaceaMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Betaine Salicylate is considered a salicylic acid alternative.

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
0 / 0 Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon
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.
Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Ethyl Hexanediol Solvent

Ethyl Hexanediol is an aliphatic alcohol. It is a solvent.

Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner
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.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Alcohol Denat. Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AlcoholAlcohol Icon 5 Concerns

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

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

Disliked Full details ->
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.

Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
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.

Panthenol Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps reduce irritation Icon
Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin Humectant

We don't have a description for Peg/Ppg/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin.

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Abrasive, Antioxidant, Emollient
Exfoliant IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
ExfoliantExfoliant Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Avena Sativa Kernel Extract is is derived from colloidal oatmeal. Besides being a healthy breakfast, oats have many benefits in skincare too.

Stellaria Media Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Stellaria Media Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract Masking, Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon 2 Benefits

Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract comes from the common Marigold plant. This ingredient is a skin conditioner.

Nepeta Cataria Extract Tonic

We don't have a description for Nepeta Cataria Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Rubus Idaeus Leaf Extract.

Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Baptisia Tinctoria Root Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract Antioxidant, Astringent, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Alchemilla Vulgaris Leaf Extract is an antioxidant.

Unknown Full details ->
Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract Astringent, Emollient, Soothing

We don't have a description for Equisetum Arvense Leaf Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Urtica Dioica Leaf Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract.

Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract Perfuming, Skin Conditioning
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

This Honeysuckle flower extract comes from the Italian honeysuckle. It is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and fragrance.

Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap Skin Conditioning

Vitis Vinifera Vine Sap comes from grape vine.

Unknown Full details ->
Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon
Hyaluronic AcidHyaluronic Acid Icon

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin Masking, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin.

Unknown Full details ->
Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Emulsifying
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

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

Very Disliked Full details ->
Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane belongs to the siloxanes and silicones classes. It is synthetically created and has a waxy composition.

Disliked Full details ->
Trisodium EDTA

We don't have a description for Trisodium EDTA.

Beta-Glucan Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness Icon
Helps reduce Skin RednessHelps reduce Skin Redness Icon

Beta-Glucan is a polysaccharide. It can be derived from the cell walls of seaweed, oats, yeast, and fungi.

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer Humectant

Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer is made up of glycerin and polyacrylic acid. It helps hydrate your skin as a humectant.

Glycereth-26 Humectant
0 / 0

Glycereth-26 is a synthetic ingredient and polyethylene glycol ether of Glycerin. Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin and helps keep your skin moisturized.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Phenyl Trimethicone Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon
SiliconSilicon Icon

Phenyl Trimethicone is a silicon-based polymer. It is derived from silica.

Disliked Full details ->
Tromethamine Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer Solvent

We don't have a description for Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer.

Unknown Full details ->
Polyglutamic Acid Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglutamic Acid is made up many glutamic acids chained together. It is created from bacterial fermentation.

Methylpropanediol Solvent

Methylpropanediol is a synthetic solvent and humectant.

Malachite Extract Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Malachite extract is created by grinding down the malachite stone.

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.
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil Masking, Skin Conditioning
Oil Icon
OilOil Icon

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil is oil from the peel of an orange fruit.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil Cleansing, Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon OilOil Icon

Citrus Aurantifolia Oil is a fragrance and is an oil.

Unknown Full details ->
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil Masking, Skin Conditioning
Oil Icon
OilOil Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil is oil expressed from the leaves of the rosemary plant.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil Masking
Oil IconEU Allergen Icon
OilOil Icon EU AllergenEU Allergen Icon

Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is the pressed oil of the Rose Geranium plant. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates off the skin.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Citral Perfuming
Fragrance IconEU Allergen Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon EU AllergenEU Allergen Icon

Citral is a fragrance and used to add a lemon-like scent to products. It is both naturally found in plants and created synthetically. In plants, it is commonly occurring in lemon myrtle, lemongrass, lemon tea-tree, lemon verbena, and other citruses.

Unknown Full details ->
Citronellol Perfuming
Fragrance IconEU Allergen Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon EU AllergenEU Allergen Icon

Citronellol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is often derived from plants such as roses. In fact, it can be found in many essential oils including geranium, lavender, neroli, and more. The scent of Citronellol is often described as "fresh, grassy, and citrus-like".

Very Disliked Full details ->
Limonene Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Limonene is a fragrance that adds scent and taste to a formulation.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Geraniol Perfuming, Tonic
Fragrance IconEU Allergen Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon EU AllergenEU Allergen Icon

Geraniol is used to add fragrance/parfum to a product. It is the main component of citronellol. It is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Linalool Perfuming
Fragrance IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon 2 Concerns

Linalool is a fragrance and helps add scent to products. It's derived from common plants such as cinnamon, mint, citrus, and lavender.

Very 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.

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
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
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.

Skin Conditioning
Loved

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It can be found naturally in our skin and hair.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5 or dexpanthenol in dermatology.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Ingredient Ratings

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

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
8
3
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner
15
6
13
11
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

2,295 Routines
37% use in am
63% use in pm
83% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
45 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 46 ratings
Light (11) Absorbs Well (9) Works Well (9)
jojoswrld_'s avatar

johari 🪽

7 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

When I first used this, it made my skin tingle ever-so-slightly before revealing the smoothest skin ever. The ever-present texture (closed...

When I first used this, it made my skin tingle ever-so-slightly before revealing the smoothest skin ever. The ever-present texture (closed comedones) on my forehead and cheeks have diminished greatly because of this. I only use it at night because AHA can cause sensitivity to sunlight!

Gracekp_827's avatar

Gracekp_827

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

My first chemical exfoliator. Great as an introduction for beginner or sensitive skin. Works well for a couple of months and then it didn't give...

My first chemical exfoliator. Great as an introduction for beginner or sensitive skin. Works well for a couple of months and then it didn't give the same effect as it used to. Help reduce blackheads, bumps, and prevent hormonal aches.

Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner 45 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating
Broke Me Out (1) Hydrating (1) Irritating (1)
peachyrae's avatar

peachyrae

1 month ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

It burns my skin.