Skin science article
Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA
Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA This smoothing toner is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to refine skin texture and clear breakouts. This smoot
Common Clouds Cloud Water Gentle Exfoliating BHA Toner Versus Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA
This smoothing toner is formulated around Salicylic Acid and Centella Asiatica Extract to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
This smoothing toner is formulated around Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid to refine skin texture and clear breakouts.
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Glycerin
Salicylic Acid
Propanediol
Butylene Glycol
Sodium Hyaluronate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Centella Asiatica Extract
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Niacinamide
Dextrin
Polydextrose
Amylopectin
Polysorbate 20
Phenoxyethanol
Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium Hydroxide
Water, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Niacinamide, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Amylopectin, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide
Prunus Mume Fruit Water
Dipropylene Glycol
Glycolic Acid
Tromethamine
1,2-Hexanediol
Hydroxyacetophenone
Vigna Radiata Seed Extract
Disodium EDTA
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Corallina Officinalis Extract
C12-14 Pareth-12
Xanthan Gum
Octyldodeceth-16
Water, Prunus Mume Fruit Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Salicylic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Vigna Radiata Seed Extract, Disodium EDTA, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, C12-14 Pareth-12, Xanthan Gum, Octyldodeceth-16
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.
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.
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.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, it’s still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
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!