Paula's Choice Pore-Reducing Toner vs COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner

Paula's Choice

COSRX

A toner built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for barrier repair and hydration.

A toner built around Niacinamide and Panthenol, for hydration and barrier repair.

Toner

26 ingredients

38 ingredients

Brand price

USD 32.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 23.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free; that row is shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Ceramide3
Skin-identical lipids that hold the barrier together.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP
Vitamin C derivative (stable)1
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Alpha arbutin1
A gentler glycosylated relative of hydroquinone.
Alpha-Arbutin
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Centella asiatica (Cica)1
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Centella Asiatica Extract

Hydrating8
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA
Barrier Repair9
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylyl Glycol, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Cholesterol, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Panthenol, Phytosphingosine
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Trigger Acne2
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleth-10
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis9
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Oleth-10, Phytosphingosine, Polysorbate 20, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris2
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Hexylene Glycol, Oleth-10

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Tocopherol
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Tocopherol

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Adenosine (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Anti-Aging
- Firming
Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning
Arctium Lappa
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium PCA
Humectant
0 / 0
- Hydrating

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
0-1 / —
2,3-Butanediol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
Diethoxyethyl Succinate
Solvent
Sodium DNA
Skin Conditioning

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
Butylene Glycol
Fragrance, Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)
Learn more about Butylene Glycol →
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Niacinamide is niacinamide.
Learn more about Niacinamide →
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
6-Amino-9-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-9H-purine
Learn more about Adenosine →
Panthenol
Antistatic, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning
Panthenol is panthenol (provitamin B5).
Learn more about Panthenol →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →
Caprylyl Glycol
Deodorant, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient
Caprylyl Glycol is the diol that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Caprylyl Glycol →