Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Versus MediCube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner

Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk Versus MediCube PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner

This hydrating toner is formulated around Oryza Sativa Extract and Panthenol to hydrate skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

This brightening toner is formulated around Niacinamide and Adenosine to brighten dull-looking skin and strengthen the skin barrier.

What's inside

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

Water

Methylpropanediol

Propanediol

1,2-Hexanediol

Glycerin

Glycereth-26

Polymethyl Methacrylate

Oryza Sativa Extract

Coptis Japonica Root Extract

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract

Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Centella Asiatica Extract

Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Sodium Hyaluronate

Panthenol

Hydroxyethyl Urea

Aluminum Chlorohydrate

Butylene Glycol

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Sodium Citrate

Kaolin

Ethylhexylglycerin

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Citric Acid

Dextrin

Ceramide NP

Tocopherol

Rice Amino Acids

Water, Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Glycereth-26, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Oryza Sativa Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Theobroma Cacao Seed Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aluminum Chlorohydrate, Butylene Glycol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Citrate, Kaolin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Citric Acid, Dextrin, Ceramide NP, Tocopherol, Rice Amino Acids

Niacinamide

Cetyl Ethylhexanoate

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate

Ethylhexyl Palmitate

Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate

Octyldodecanol

Diisostearyl Malate

C12-14 Alketh-12

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Tromethamine

Glyceryl Stearate

Trehalose

Glyceryl Stearate Citrate

Adenosine

Disodium EDTA

Cyanocobalamin

Saccharide Hydrolysate

Oryza Sativa Bran Oil

Oryza Sativa Bran Water

Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Pyrus Malus Leaf Extract

Sorbitol

Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Jasminum Officinale Flower Water

Xylitylglucoside

Anhydroxylitol

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

Dipropylene Glycol

Sucrose Stearate

Xylitol

Beta-Carotene

Sodium DNA

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract

Centella Asiatica Root Extract

Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract

Pueraria Lobata Root Extract

Pentylene Glycol

Madecassoside

Milk Protein Extract

Lycopodium Clavatum Extract

Equisetum Arvense Extract

Phragmites Communis Extract

Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract

Lecithin

Tremella Fuciformis Extract

Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract

Trifolium Pratense Extract

Acetyl Glutamine

Asiatic Acid

Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Madecassic Acid

Asiaticoside

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein

Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein

Hydrolyzed Corn Protein

Caprylyl Glycol

Folic Acid

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4

Ceramide Ns

Ceramide EOP

Ceramide AP

Oligopeptide-3

Oligopeptide-2

Oligopeptide-1

Hexapeptide-11

Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate, C12-14 Alketh-12, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trehalose, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Cyanocobalamin, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil, Oryza Sativa Bran Water, Butylene Glycol, Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus Leaf Extract, Sorbitol, Panthenol, Propanediol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Water, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Sucrose Stearate, Xylitol, Beta-Carotene, Sodium DNA, Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Madecassoside, Milk Protein Extract, Lycopodium Clavatum Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Phragmites Communis Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Lecithin, Tremella Fuciformis Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Trifolium Pratense Extract, Acetyl Glutamine, Asiatic Acid, Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract, Madecassic Acid, Asiaticoside, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Folic Acid, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Oligopeptide-3, Oligopeptide-2, Oligopeptide-1, Hexapeptide-11

Reviews

Alternatives

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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

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

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

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is one of the most researched botanical extracts in skincare with decades of studies backing its effects on inflammation, collagen, and the skin barrier.

That research keeps pointing back to the same four triterpenoid saponins: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid.

These compounds allow centella to dial back inflammation, encourage the skin to build and hold onto collagen, support the barrier and hydration, and bring solid antioxidant activity to protect against signs of aging.

Centella also carries a nice supporting cast of Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and amino acids. Put it all together and you get an ingredient that soothes, hydrates, and protects, all at once.

Most of centella's magic comes from the four big compounds (Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, and Madecassic Acid). These are the actives doing the heavy lifting in almost every centella study.

Here is the short version of what they do in the skin:

So it is not just soothing for the sake of soothing. Centella calms the skin AND helps it rebuild.

Just FYI, not all centella on an ingredient list is the same. What you are getting actually depends on the extract:

Fun fact on the ratios: the leaves tend to be richest in Madecassoside and Asiaticoside, and lower in the two acids. The exact amounts shift with where the plant is grown and how it is processed. This means purity really does vary brand to brand.

Centella is one of the most easygoing actives out there.

It layers well with basically everything: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C, and also pairs nicely with stronger actives like retinoids and exfoliating acids where it can help take the edge off irritation.

On the safety side, centella and its triterpenes are classified as weak sensitizers, meaning allergic reactions are possible but uncommon.

Patch tests at 1% and 5% came back negative in test panels, and creams at typical use levels did not cause allergic reactions across large groups of people.

But as with any new active, a patch test is still a smart move for very reactive skin.

Centella is widely used because it is effective at low percentages. For context, human safety testing found no meaningful irritation from creams containing centella extract at everyday use levels (the tested amounts were well under 1%).

The irritancy threshold in animal testing was also above 30% (so real-world formulas sit far below anything concerning).

In collagen lab studies, higher concentrations drove more collagen synthesis, so serums built around centella tend to feature it more prominently.

Bottom line: you will find centella working nicely anywhere from a fraction of a percent up to hero-ingredient levels depending on whether it is a supporting soother or the main event.

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.

Ceramide NP (formerly known as Ceramide 3) is one of the skin's naturally occurring lipids.

Since ceramides are the major lipid components of the skin, they are crucial for maintaining skin barrier and hydration. Ceramide NP most closely mirrors the dominant kind in human skin amongst ceramide subtypes.

This ceramide works by slotting into gaps within the stratum corneum's lipid matrix to limit trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and shield the skin against external irritants.

A study with 312 patients found that using a ceramide-containing routine for 4 weeks reduced the severity of atopic dermatitis by over 61%.

Another clinical study in subjects aged 60 and older found that a ceramide body wash and moisturizer improved skin dryness and itchy skin in 15 days.

Overall, ceramides are considered non-irritating and safety tests have found little to no observable adverse effects from using this ingredient.

Ceramide NP is usually sourced from plants (like soybean or rice bran), or produced synthetically.

Ethylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:

The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.

Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.

Glycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.

Topically, glycerin does several things at once:

Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.

Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.

This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.

Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Sodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.

In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.

Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:

Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.

Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.

You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.

Tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.

You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.

Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.

It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.

This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.

This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.

In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.

Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.

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. Remember to stay hydrated!

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