Versus

COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap Versus COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner

General Moisturizer
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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

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

Benefits

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.

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
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 

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.

Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

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
Skin Conditioning

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

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

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.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

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

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

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

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
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

When to use

1,245 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
602 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap 19 ingredients

3.4 /5
from 31 ratings
Works Well (13) Great Value (12) Hydrating (11)
AlessandraRodriguez_228's avatar
Review

GAVE ME A BREAKOUT
first product to ever be a direct cause for acne, i hope i get to pinpoin which ingridient was. When i stopped using this, the acne went away too.

laila.21's avatar

Laila

3 days ago
Review

I love and hate this moisturizer at the same time but i just couldn’t finish it
🌺Pros: lasts forever, light and hydrating, cheap for the size you get
🌺Cons: weird smell, sometimes sticky, might break you out

#great value
#light scent
#doesn't work

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