Versus

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Versus BYOMA Brightening Toner

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
British Brand United Kingdom

Updated on June 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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
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 
Buffering, Humectant

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

This ingredient is part of our skin's NMF, or natural moisturizing factor. Our NMF is essential for the hydration of our top skin layers and plasticity of skin. NMF also influences our skin's natural acid mantle and pH, which protects our skin from harmful bacteria.

High percentages of Sodium Lactate can have an exfoliating effect.

Fun fact: Sodium Lactate is produced from fermented sugar.

Learn more about Sodium Lactate

When to use

4,011 Routines
36% use in am
64% use in pm
80% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
267 Routines
32% use in am
68% use in pm
90% 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

3.7 /5
from 89 ratings
Absorbs Well (32) Light (32) Works Well (29)
solitaire_'s avatar

solitaire_

8 months ago
Review

It feels nice on my skin, very gentle and hydrating. I like how it doesn't have fragrance. It does have a subtly medicine smell but I think that's because of the ingredients, it's soothing and not too overpowering. This toner leaves my skin glowy the next morning whenever I use it the night before. I use this everyday since my skin got accustomed to it, used to only use it once a week, every week, Show more

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

Meg

8 months ago
Review

A staple in my skin care routine that I stock up on! My ace scaring and residual red acne marks have overall brightened over time. I noticed specifically this when i introduced it to my skin care routine made a hugeee difference in the severity of my breakouts and the quickness of the fading of my acne marks! Make sure you use sunscreen though because i heard some people say it makes blemishes Show more

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#works well

BYOMA Brightening Toner 19 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Works Well (2) Irritating (2) Light Scent (2)
liamgrand's avatar

Liam Grand

2 months ago
Review

works really well for my acne prone skin it did sting a little bit the first few times but now my skin is use to it :)

#great value
#light scent
#works well
kassia's avatar

Kassia

4 months ago
Review

Stings the skin and eyes like crazy, with an absolutely terrible alcohol smell. This is so bad that it turned me off of BYOMA for ages and almost made me miss out on their excellent milky toner.

#irritating
#strong scent