Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner Versus COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive
Updated on July 18, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe toners. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
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
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive 24 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
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive 24 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycereth-26
Humectant
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate
Skin ConditioningLaureth-4
Emulsifying
Laureth-23
CleansingDisodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butylene Glycol, Glycereth-26, Dimethiconol, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Glycerin, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Niacinamide, Superoxide Dismutase, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Myristamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Ethyl Hexanediol
SolventAsiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
Dimethyl Sulfone
Solvent
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Zinc PCA
Humectant
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Lactate
BufferingWater
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Alcohol
Antimicrobial
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Betaine, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine Salicylate, Zinc PCA, Polysorbate 20, Allantoin, Sodium Lactate, Water, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Polysorbate 60
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene 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 GlycolSodium 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 HyaluronatePanthenol 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 PanthenolAllantoin 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 AllantoinIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive 24 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner 28 ingredients
Holy Grail.
I started using this toner when I was on Isotretinoin. I got off Isotretinoin one year ago and have refused to let it go. This toner is what water drench and hydro boost are trying to be. After using this my skin feels like a desert that finally got rain. I don't even use cotton pads anymore. I pour it in my hands and directly apply.
Pro Tip: Use two applications during the winter! = Show more
A lovely moisturizing milky toner. I've put it in a spray bottle and like to apply two layers
