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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner versus Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule .

Last updated on September 23, 2023. Published on November 08, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

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 and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Toner South Korean Brand South Korea
Ampoule South Korean Brand South Korea

Toner

Toners are used as a “last-step” cleanser, a pH balancer, add moisture to the skin, or may help in reducing impurities on the skin. They have a liquid consistency and are usually used after cleansers but before treatments.

Ampoule

Ampoules are created to target one area of concern. They are usually highly concentrated with active or beneficial ingredients.

Price

Shop

Buy AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

Starts at $11.29
Shop

Buy Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule

Starts at $16.25

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
PHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying (2)
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 1.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 9.

2
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: 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.

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 2.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 3.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 29.

4
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

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

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 5.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 7.

5
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium 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 Hyaluronate

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 13.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 21.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Adenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.

Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.

Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.

In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.

Learn more about Adenosine

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 16.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 16.

7
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

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

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.

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 look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 21.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 15.

8
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

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

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. 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.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 22.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 11.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: 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.

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner contains this as ingredient number 24.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule contains this as ingredient number 13.

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

50% are loved or liked
15% have mixed ratings
19% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet
56% are loved or liked
24% have mixed ratings
15% are disliked or very disliked
6% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 26 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 14 ratings
Strong Scent (4) Light (3) Great Value (2) Irritating (2) Works Well (2) Doesn't Work (2)
RasberryIce's avatar

RasberryIce

2 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

Texture: watery
Smell: pleasant but a bit strong
Honestly kinda mid.
I feel like it helps mild acne but is a no for sensitive skin and people...

Texture: watery
Smell: pleasant but a bit strong
Honestly kinda mid.
I feel like it helps mild acne but is a no for sensitive skin and people who's barrier is f up. The combination of three different exfoliating acids in miniscule concentrations feels all over the place and can further sensitivity. I think what's actually working in the product is the 2% niacinamide.
Overall it's okay, would recommend to people who're oily, with very mild acne or few comedomes. But anyone with sensitive or/and dry skin stay away, cause it's not for you and has fragrance.
P.s. Do NOT use this with the whole 30 days miracle line, it WILL destroy your skin barrier in those 30 days. I know cause it happened to me.

laila.21's avatar

laila.21

4 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

It didn't do much for me as my skin felt the same with or without it, plus I didn't like how it always foamed up when I even tap it in.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule 34 ingredients

Licorice pH Balancing Advanced Facial Serum Ampoule hasn't been rated yet.
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