Versus

Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA

Toner
Toner
British Brand United Kingdom
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 19, 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 AHA and BHA

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 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

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

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
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

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
Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

When to use

109 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
77% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
600 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

Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic 25 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 3 ratings
Hydrating (3) Absorbs Well (3) Light (3)
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

I think i've been purchasing this Toner since i started in skincare. It's very lightweight and perfect for my very oily skin. It provides a very gentle exfoliation (with BHA and AHA), so i can use it almost every day without irritating my face. Plus, it has a very mild and lovely smell, like something clean. I love it.

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

أسماء

9 months ago
Review

I bought this when i was too stingy to buy the paula's choice .. i loved it didnt break me out and kept my sfs cleans
It wasnt that life changing but it is a toner after all, no stinfy sensation

This is the best among the pixi toner collection bc it has no perfume or alcohol in it so ☝️

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

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)
fawns's avatar

🐾

11 months ago
Review

♡︎
- 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗁𝗈𝗅𝗒 𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗂𝗅 𝗂𝗍𝖾𝗆
- 𝗁𝖾𝗅𝗉𝗌 𝗐𝗂𝗍𝗁 𝗆𝗒 𝗋𝖾𝖽𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖼𝗅𝗈𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝖼𝗈𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗈𝗇𝖾𝗌
- 𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒 𝗀𝖾𝗇𝗍𝗅𝖾 𝖾𝗑𝖿𝗈𝗅𝗂𝖺𝗇𝗍 𝖺𝗇𝖽 𝖽𝗈𝖾𝗌𝗇'𝗍 𝖽𝗋𝗒 𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇
- 𝗅𝖾𝖺𝗏𝖾𝗌 𝗆𝗒 𝗌𝗄𝗂𝗇 𝖻𝖺𝖻𝗒 𝗌𝗈𝖿𝗍 𝗂𝗆𝗆𝖾𝖽𝗂𝖺𝗍𝖾𝗅𝗒 𝖺𝖿𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀
- 𝗂𝗌 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝗍𝖾 𝗁𝗒𝖽𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀
- 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗉𝗎𝗋𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗌𝖾 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇

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

rynas

1 year 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