SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion vs COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild

SK-II

COSRX

A toner built around Hyaluronic acid and AHA, for hydration and exfoliation.

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

Toner

16 ingredients

18 ingredients

Brand price

Not recorded · brand's site

Brand price

USD 26.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

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Brand from Japan

Brand from South Korea

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At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free and Paraben-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)1
Polysorbate (Tween) emulsifiers.
Polysorbate 20
AHA2
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid
BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Lactic acid1
An AHA that also acts as a humectant.
Lactic Acid

PHA1
Polyhydroxy acids — larger and milder than AHAs.
Gluconolactone
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Centella asiatica (Cica)3
Centella asiatica (cica), used to calm irritation.
Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Galactomyces/Milk Ferment Filtrate, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, PEG-150, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair1
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Glycerin
Smoothing3
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid
Brightening1
Restores radiance to dull, tired skin.
Lactic Acid

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair5
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Betaine, Glycerin, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Panthenol
Redness Reducing4
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polysorbate 20

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis2
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
May Worsen Irritation1
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema1
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea1
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Galactomyces/Milk Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
0 / —
- Animal-derived
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Polysorbate 20
Cleansing
0 / 0
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- Polysorbates (Tween emulsifiers)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Methylparaben
Preservative
0 / 0
- Parabens
Sodium Benzoate
Preservative
PEG-150
Humectant
Disodium EDTA
Chelating
0 / —
Sodium Citrate
Buffering
0 / —

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water
Perfuming
Butylene Glycol (in both products)
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dimethyl Sulfone
Viscosity Controlling
0-1 / —
Betaine
Humectant
0 / —
- Hydrating
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Betaine Salicylate
Antimicrobial
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
- PHA
- Exfoliating
- Hydrating
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
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 →
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →