Versus

Eqqualberry Swimming Pool Toner Versus Curel Hydrating Water Essence

Toner
Essence
Korean Brand South Korea
Japanese Brand Japan

Updated on April 01, 2025

Overview

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
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, 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

When to use

3,843 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
93% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
58 Routines
55% use in am
45% use in pm
100% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Eqqualberry Swimming Pool Toner 22 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 43 ratings
Hydrating (29) Works Well (25) Absorbs Well (23)
romiethirdy's avatar

Romie Thirdy

10 months ago
Review

Idk girl

#great value
#hydrating
#works well
448's avatar

💗

7 months ago
Review

This is a good product that works, but only if you have mild redness/acne/closed comedones. It works better as a booster product to help speed up the progress of your other products IMO.

I use this once a day in the morning and it took me around 3-4 weeks to see visible results. My redness lessened, my acne calmed down, and my dark spots did lighten a bit. BUT these are mild results, but good Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

Curel Hydrating Water Essence 12 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Hydrating (2) Great Value (1)
PatriciaDavid's avatar

PatriciaDavid

1 year ago
Review

I use this every morning before Curel intensive moisturiser, and I feel it gives my skin just that little extra hydration. In terms of texture, it's very much like water; I pump it three times in my hand and tap it all over my face. I have repurchased several times as it works for my sensitive, dry skin.

#hydrating
#absorbs well
jesskate's avatar

Jess Kate

2 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this for two months now and I love it. A lot of toners just feel like water and don’t do much but this one adds hydration to my skin and calms redness. The texture is slightly more viscous than water but not by much. It’s so simple and adds the hydration I need 🫶

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well