Explore Routine Login

Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner versus COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner .

Last updated on December 25, 2023. Published on January 14, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Toner South Korean Brand South Korea
Toner South Korean Brand South Korea

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner

Starts at $9.90
Shop

Buy AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Starts at $9.99

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
6
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Scar Healing

Notable Ingredients

AHA
BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea (2)
Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

Loading ingredients...

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 4.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

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

Learn more about Panthenol

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 6.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing
Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 7.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 9.

6
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

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

Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains this as ingredient number 8.

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

67% are loved or liked
33% have mixed ratings
0% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
64% are loved or liked
27% have mixed ratings
0% are disliked or very disliked
9% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Loading routine usage...
Loading routine usage...

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner 9 ingredients

2.8 /5
from 4 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Expensive (1)
tttende's avatar

tttende

1 year ago · Combination Skin
Review

7 / 10
If you have oily skin this is a great toner. It didn't feel moisturizing enough for me, so I just use it on summer days. I won't be...

7 / 10
If you have oily skin this is a great toner. It didn't feel moisturizing enough for me, so I just use it on summer days. I won't be repurchasing but just for that exact reason, otherwise it's a great product.
Absorbs somewhat quickly into the skin, leaving a refreshing sensation. Has no smell.
✦ Price: Decent
✦ Lasts 7-10 months

faulmag's avatar

faulmag

5 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

It didn't do anything to my skin, not sure what differentiates it from regular water... it doesn't even spread very well. It leaves a bit of a nice...

It didn't do anything to my skin, not sure what differentiates it from regular water... it doesn't even spread very well. It leaves a bit of a nice cool wet feeling and that's about it, so if you want centella or a nice toner probably just buy something else that's actually worth your money

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 37 ratings
Absorbs Well (4) Light (4) Great Value (3) No Scent (3) Works Well (2) Drying (1)
Gracekp_827's avatar

Gracekp_827

2 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.

jojoswrld_'s avatar

jojoswrld_

4 months ago · Dry 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!

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner.

See 50 alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 49 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner.

See 49 alternatives
Loading similar comparisons...