Versus

House of Hur Clearing Skin Prep Essence Pad Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on December 23, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe toners. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

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
Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Β 

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 preservativesΒ 

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine
Buffering

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.

Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.

Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.

Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:

Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.

The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid
Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid
Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.

This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.

When to use

53 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
573 Routines
37% use in am
63% use in pm
75% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

House of Hur Clearing Skin Prep Essence Pad 20 ingredients

Clearing Skin Prep Essence Pad hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA 24 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 17 ratings
Light (10) Works Well (7) Absorbs Well (5)
rynas's avatar

rynas

12 months ago
Review

did well with texture and exfoliation, didn’t do much for acne like it claims and wasn’t irritating at all. scent is a little weird so keep that in mind. all in all ok toner but not anything mind blowing with amazing benefits. i have normal to oily skin and am acne prone

#light
#light scent
fawns's avatar

🐾

10 months ago
Review

β™‘οΈŽ
- 𝗇𝖾𝗐 π—π—ˆπ—…π—’ 𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗅 𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗆
- π—π–Ύπ—…π—‰π—Œ 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗆𝗒 π—‹π–Ύπ–½π—‡π–Ύπ—Œπ—Œ 𝖺𝗇𝖽 π–Όπ—…π—ˆπ—Œπ–Ύπ–½ π–Όπ—ˆπ—†π–Ύπ–½π—ˆπ—‡π–Ύπ—Œ
- 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝖾 π–Ύπ—‘π–Ώπ—ˆπ—…π—‚π–Ίπ—‡π— 𝖺𝗇𝖽 π–½π—ˆπ–Ύπ—Œπ—‡'𝗍 𝖽𝗋𝗒 π—ˆπ—Žπ— 𝗆𝗒 π—Œπ—„π—‚π—‡
- π—…π–Ύπ–Ίπ—π–Ύπ—Œ 𝗆𝗒 π—Œπ—„π—‚π—‡ 𝖻𝖺𝖻𝗒 π—Œπ—ˆπ–Ώπ— 𝗂𝗆𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋 π—Žπ—Œπ—‚π—‡π—€
- π—‚π—Œ π—Šπ—Žπ—‚π—π–Ύ 𝗁𝗒𝖽𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
- π—π—ˆπ—Žπ—…π–½ π—‰π—Žπ—‹π–Όπ—π–Ίπ—Œπ–Ύ 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well