Versus

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner Versus Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

Toner
Toner
Indonesian Brand Indonesia
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on January 30, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain PHA

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

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, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate comes from Capric Acid and Polyglycerin-4. It is an emulsifier.

Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. They do this by preventing ingredients from separating, such as oils and water which do not mix naturally.

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.

Buffering, Masking

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

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

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.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
Buffering, Masking

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

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 even out skin tone.

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.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

When to use

3 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
100% use every day
2,239 Routines
34% use in am
66% use in pm
76% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Somethinc Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner 16 ingredients

Calm Down! PHA 3% Soothing Everyday Toner hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

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

3.2 /5
from 42 ratings
Light (15) Works Well (13) Strong Scent (12)
RasberryIce's avatar

RasberryIce

1 year ago
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 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 Show more

#great value
#drying
#irritating
#light
nozanin_786's avatar

Nozanin

4 months ago
Review

HG🏆after usting this toner for 1week it got rid off my acne. Literally gets rid off tiny bumps, FA safe and gives my skin glow, Best for Acne-prone, oily, combo skin types

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#works well