Versus

Muji Light Toning Water Versus Make p:rem Safe Me. Relief Essence Toner

Toner
Toner
Japanese Brand Japan
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on January 06, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

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

Benefits

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.

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, 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
Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

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.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
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
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid
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.

When to use

51 Routines
51% use in am
49% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
97 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
98% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Muji Light Toning Water 15 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
AndreaLian's avatar

AndreaLian

10 months ago
Review

No frills, yet very refreshing. Great for sensitive skin and is hydrating.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

Make p:rem Safe Me. Relief Essence Toner 17 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (3) Great Value (3) Hydrating (3)
mottrubi's avatar

Ilovemybf

7 months ago
Review

GET THIS IF YOU HAVE DEHYDRATED SKIN its soooo hydrating and gives ALL day hydration for my severe dehydrated skin and can def work for all skin type!!! Holy grail

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
Alodia's avatar

Alodia

4 months ago
Review

I have been using this for 2 weeks and it has made HUGE difference for me. This is the most hydrating toner i have ever tried, my skin looks smoother and hydrates under make up really well. It has a beautiful texture - watery but with a luxurious slip. Straight forward product that does what it claims. As someone with sensitive skin who can’t use centella or niacinamide, this has been a godsend. Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well