Versus

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner Versus AA Esencja Tonizująca Nawilżająco-Kojąca

Toner
Toner
Korean Brand South Korea
Polish Brand Poland

Updated on March 01, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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.

Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

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

Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.

Studies show the compounds in centella help with:

The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.

Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

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 preservatives 
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol
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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

This ingredient is best for improving hydration and soothing irritated skin. Studies also show it helps even out skin tone.

Fun fact: Betaine is naturally created in the skin and body. The kind found within cosmetic products can be either plant-derived or synthetic.

Learn more about Betaine
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
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

When to use

923 Routines
53% use in am
47% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
36 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
94% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tone Brightening Boosting Toner 25 ingredients

4.5 /5
from 21 ratings
Works Well (15) Absorbs Well (14) Light (12)
AnnaSkin's avatar

AnnaSkin

1 year ago
Review

Made my skin feel so hydrating and plumped, also reduced appearance of my dark spots

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
chereempire's avatar

Chere Empire

3 months ago
Review

This is hands down the best product I’ve ever tried on my sensitive skin.

It’s really calming, very hydrating, improves texture of the skin, it also brightens but just a little

This has been the only product my skin can tolerate alongside green tea toner but I prefer this, and to think I only use this toner in my skin care alongside Simple micellar face wash for sensitive skin and that’s Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

AA Esencja Tonizująca Nawilżająco-Kojąca 12 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Broke Me Out (1) Doesn't Work (1)
seoni's avatar

seoni

4 months ago
Review

I’ve been using this for a few months now and here are my thoughts:

🫧Pros :
- Price
- Didn’t make my cystic acne worse
- Helped me heal my skin barrier
- It’s good for everyday use
- Absorbs quickly into the skin
- Helped me lighten up my redness
-A little goes a long way ; you dont need to put a lot of it on in order to see effects

🫧Cons :
- Packaging spills a little

🫧Overall Show more

#hydrating
#absorbs well
#light scent
#works well
nicks2's avatar

nick

2 months ago
Review

INCI of the one i have is different: Aqua, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Centella Asiatica Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Cyanocobalamina, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

bought it as a cheaper alternative to SKIN1004 centella ampoule i love, but it ended up not working for me.

it irritated my skin and broke me out - i suspect Show more

#broke me out
#irritating
#light
#absorbs well