Versus

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner Versus Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

Toner
Facial Treatment
Korean Brand South Korea
American Brand United States

Updated on June 26, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any 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

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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, 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

When to use

598 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
256 Routines
54% use in am
46% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner 9 ingredients

3.1 /5
from 9 ratings
Light (3) Expensive (3) Hydrating (2)
leaxsta's avatar

Lea Kristin

2 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this COSRX Toner for the past two months, and while it’s currently the only hydrating toner that works for me, I’m not 100% satisfied.
👉🏻 Pros:
✔️ Non-comedogenic
✔️ Fungal acne-safe
✔️ Provides a bit of hydration
👉🏻 Cons:
❌ Contains butylene glycol, which causes small bumps on my skin. I noticed this reaction after using a different product. The percentage in the toner isn’t Show more

tttende's avatar

tttende

2 years ago
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 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

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 24 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Expensive (2) Light (2) Absorbs Well (1)
ButterflyDreams's avatar

ButterflyDreams

5 months ago
Review

Normally I avoid products with alcohol, but it’s not an issue with this one. It’s well formulated so that it’s balanced out with other more hydrating ingredients. It absorbed nearly immediately and doesn’t dry out the skin. The results aren’t massive. But I just love the apothecary aesthetic and it works about as well as any other dark spot corrector.

#expensive
#light
#absorbs well
#works well
MSP's avatar

MSP

2 years ago
Review

Works as said
I have dark skin and lots of PIH. It lightens them. You can see quicker results with new PIH spots. Holygrail in my routine