Paula's Choice Pore-Reducing Toner vs Medicube Kojic Acid Turmeric Toner

Paula's Choice

Medicube

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

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

Toner

26 ingredients

30 ingredients

Brand price

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

Brand price

USD 27.00 · checked 26 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 Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are 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

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic acid3
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

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 Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
C12-14 Alketh-12, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
May Worsen Irritation2
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
May Worsen Eczema2
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
May Worsen Rosacea2
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Show highlights for:

Water (in both products)
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

Water (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide (in both products)
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
0-1 / —
- AHA
- Glycolic acid
- Anti-Aging
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Exfoliating
- Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering
0 / —
C12-14 Alketh-12
Emulsifying
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Perfuming
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Adenosine (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
- Anti-Aging
- Firming

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water
Antiplaque, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
Learn more about Water →
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 →