COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C (ABC) Daily Toner Versus KAINE Kombu Balancing Ampoule Toner
Updated on December 05, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, scar healing and dark spots
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 needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C (ABC) Daily Toner 16 ingredients
KAINE Kombu Balancing Ampoule Toner 33 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
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C (ABC) Daily Toner 16 ingredients
KAINE Kombu Balancing Ampoule Toner 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientHylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Water
Astringent
Pyrus Malus Fruit Water
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventSodium Lactate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment 60%
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
Solvent
Glycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharum Officinarum Extract
MoisturisingTheobroma Cacao Seed Extract
Antioxidant
Cynanchum Atratum Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Althaea Rosea Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Panthenol 1%
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Glyceryl Glucoside
Humectant
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingDextrin
AbsorbentAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSaccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment 60%, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Glycereth-26, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol 1%, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Glyceryl Glucoside, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, Dextrin, Allantoin, Glucose, Beta-Glucan, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 Glycol1,2-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
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 WaterAllantoin 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 AllantoinPanthenol 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 PanthenolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C (ABC) Daily Toner 16 ingredients
KAINE Kombu Balancing Ampoule Toner 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C (ABC) Daily Toner 16 ingredients
Gentle but seems to be working. I’ve been using it for around 2 weeks and it seems to be good at drying out and minimising ccs. Super lightweight and absorbs fast. No irritation when applying more than 1 layer.
It’s my every other day toner. Fungal acne safe and visibly reduces the look of large pores just after a few uses. Would probably purchase again
KAINE Kombu Balancing Ampoule Toner 33 ingredients
Hydrating, but not much else...
I’m beginning to think tea is one of those ingredients that either works really well for you or just does nothing at all. Well… not nothing I guess… I don’t like saying a product/ingredient does absolutely nothing because I’m sure it has to do something. But for me whatever that something is must be so minimal that I personally didn’t notice any improvement in my Show more
It has a really nice texture that doesn’t make my face feel too oily and also works well with my COSRX centella water toner to cool down my skin (I have rosacea). I also noticed the oiliness of my skin has reduced after using this product for a few months, though this may just be because I’ve started taking birth control to manage my acne breakouts. All in all, would re-purchase it just for its Show more
