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Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, 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 fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

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

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Acne Toner
Water 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.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Dimethyl Sulfone Solvent

Dimethyl Sulfone is an organic compound that naturally contains sulfur. It is used as a solvent due to its stability. Solvents help mix and stabilize other ingredients.

Pyridoxine Hcl Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Pyridoxine Hcl.

Unknown Full details ->
Salix Alba Bark Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing
Good for Oily Skin Icon
Good for Oily SkinGood for Oily Skin Icon

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Niacinamide Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon
NiacinamideNiacinamide Icon 6 Benefits

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Forsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract is an antioxidant.

Unknown Full details ->
Centella Asiatica Extract Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract comes from the Japanese Knotweed plant native to Japan, Korea, and China.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract Astringent, Humectant, Soothing
Good for Scar Healing Icon
Good for Scar HealingGood for Scar Healing Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract comes from the Baikal skullcap or Chinese skullcap plant. This plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be found in China, Mongolia, Korea, and Siberia.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps fight Acne Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 5 Benefits

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract is derived from the leaves of the tea plant. Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea are all harvested from this plant.

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Root Extract comes from Chinese licorice. This plant is native to Asia and used in Chinese traditional medicine. Chinese licorice root contains antioxidants and polysaccharides.

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Masking, Skin Conditioning
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon
2 Benefits

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Antimicrobial, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract comes from rosemary. Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean.

Copper Tripeptide-1 Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon
PeptidePeptide Icon Helps with Anti-AgingHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Copper Tripeptide-1 is a peptide naturally found in body fluids. Peptides are building blocks for protein.

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Myrtus Communis Extract Astringent

We don't have a description for Myrtus Communis Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Tropaeolum Majus Extract Antimicrobial, Skin Conditioning, Tonic

We don't have a description for Tropaeolum Majus Extract.

Unknown Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

Disodium EDTA

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

Disliked Full details ->
Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA
Water 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.

Prunus Mume Fruit Water Humectant

Prunus Mume Fruit Water is created by distilling parts of the Asian plum. This plum is AKA 'plum blossom'.

Unknown Full details ->
Dipropylene Glycol Masking, Solvent

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

Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Glycolic Acid Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 7 Benefits 2 Concerns

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

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Tromethamine Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine is an aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is an organic compound with open-chained carbon atoms. It is synthetically created. Tromethamine is used to balance pH and improve texture.

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
BHABHA Icon PreservativePreservative Icon 5 Benefits 4 Concerns

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.

Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Octyldodeceth-16 Emulsifying

Octyldodeceth-16 comes from the fatty-alcohol Octyldodecanol.

Unknown Full details ->
C12-14 Pareth-12 Emulsifying

C12-14 Pareth-12 is created from a mixture of synthetic C12-14 alcohols that have about 12 moles of ethylene oxide.

Unknown Full details ->
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

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

Vigna Radiata Seed Extract Skin Conditioning

Vigna Radiata Seed Extract comes from the mung bean. Mung beans are an edible legume from Asia. It is commonly used in Asian desserts.

Unknown Full details ->
Disodium EDTA

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

Disliked Full details ->
Xanthan Gum 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.

Disliked Full details ->
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract Skin Conditioning

Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract is from the Neem tree. Neem trees originate from India.

Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract.

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract Skin Conditioning

Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract comes from the Holy Basil plant. Holy Basil is native to India.

Curcuma Longa Root Extract Masking, Perfuming
Fragrance Icon
FragranceFragrance Icon

Curcuma Longa Root Extract is from the spice, turmeric. Besides being a healthy and delicious spice, turmeric also has plenty of skincare benefits. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract is an extract of the flowers of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae

Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract.

Corallina Officinalis Extract Skin Conditioning

Corallina Officinalis Extract is from the red seaweed, Corallina Officinalis. This seaweed is found all over the world but is most common in the rocky shores of Great Britain and Ireland.

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
Loved

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
Mixed

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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Loved

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
Antioxidant
Liked

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping stabilize free-radicals, antioxidants may help in anti-aging.

Hydroxyacetophenone boosts the efficiency of other preservatives.

Learn more about Hydroxyacetophenone
Skin Conditioning
Mixed

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.

Disliked

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

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Acne Toner
13
3
1
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA
13
4
3
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

153 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
271 Routines
42% use in am
58% use in pm
79% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner 21 ingredients

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

cgi

1 year ago Β· Oily Skin
Review

no more breakouts?
i honestly don't know what to make of this product because i used it in 2021 for about.. 6 months?? i was very generous since it...

no more breakouts?
i honestly don't know what to make of this product because i used it in 2021 for about.. 6 months?? i was very generous since it was a small bottle. back then, i had extreme hormonal acne and a new pimple would emerge every day and i absolutely hated it. this toner lowkey lived up to the hype, but i wish packaging was better because the bottle did leak when received. they should also make larger bottles

i wouldn't say i had a drastic, life-changing experience with this product but i did see some changes. the toner had a water-like texture, no odor and was soooo nice on the skin. it definitely helps with redness and inflammation and boosted the effects of the CosRx Good Morning pH Gel Cleanser. it instantly felt soothing and my acne was "tamed." it wouldn't necessarily get rid of pimples or blemishes so you'd probably need another product for that, but it DID work wonders in preventing new breakouts.

Lyssdan9's avatar

Alyssa Daniels

1 month ago Β· Combination Skin
Review

Got this a few months ago and I've fallen in love with this one. It truly did clear up you and due to the willow bark extract (gentle BHA before...

Got this a few months ago and I've fallen in love with this one. It truly did clear up you and due to the willow bark extract (gentle BHA before being turned into salicylic acid)

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

3.6 /5
from 10 ratings
Light (6) Works Well (3) Irritating (3)
rynas's avatar

rynas

3 months ago Β· Unsure Skin
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...

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

dollsize's avatar

πŸŽ€

1 month ago Β· Dry Skin
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—‡...

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