Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHA
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
“Working in harmony with mung bean extract—a skin-soothing powerhouse—and the chemical exfoliants AHA and BHA, this toner is all set to revitalize your skin's natural glow.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Fructose + 8 moreWorks
“Plum water and mung bean extract as skin care ingredients help to smooth out skin texture and provide moisture.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": fructose, glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-blemishGlycolic acid, Melia azadirachta leaf extract + 1 moreNot delivered
“If this process is hindered by dead skin cells clogging our pores, it can lead to inflammation and dull skin tone.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, TocopherolWorks well
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Glycolic acid, Salicylic acidWorks well
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Prunus mume fruit water~4.9–7.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dipropylene glycol~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying
More about Dipropylene glycol1,2-hexanediol~1.9–2.9%
Tromethamine~2–3%
Glycolic acid~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidPhaseolus radiatus seed extract~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Panax ginseng root extract~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractOryza sativa bran water~0.95–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be somewhat helpful for attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Oryza sativa bran waterPortulaca oleracea extract~0.55–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that has some anti-oxidant activity, but solid research is lacking. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Portulaca oleracea extractButylene glycol~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolGlycerin~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSalicylic acid~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidMelia azadirachta leaf extract~0.2–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that has anti-bacterial properties. Can be used to preserve the product. Can be irritating
More about Melia azadirachta leaf extractMelia azadirachta flower extract~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that might be helpful to neutralize free radicals in skin
More about Melia azadirachta flower extractFructose~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about FructoseTocopherol~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolGlucose~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseSodium pca~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer
More about Sodium pcaTriethylhexanoin~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about TriethylhexanoinDiphenyl dimethicone~0.1–0.3%
C12-14 pareth-12~0.05–0.15%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.15%
Hydrogenated lecithin~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to retain moisture by creating a protective barrier on the skin. Rich in fatty acids. Improves product texture and helps with the penetration of other ingredients.
More about Hydrogenated lecithinPolyglyceryl-10 oleate~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-10 oleateTetrasodium edta~0.01–0.05%
Ingredient list view
Water, Prunus mume fruit water, Dipropylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, Tromethamine, Glycolic acid, Phaseolus radiatus seed extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Oryza sativa bran water, Portulaca oleracea extract, Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Salicylic acid, Melia azadirachta leaf extract, Melia azadirachta flower extract, Fructose, Tocopherol, Glucose, Sodium pca, Triethylhexanoin, Diphenyl dimethicone, C12-14 pareth-12, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrogenated lecithin, Polyglyceryl-10 oleate, Tetrasodium edta
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Beauty of JoseonGreen Plum Refreshing Toner : AHA + BHAYOUR PRODUCT | Good MoleculesGlycolic Exfoliating Toner | PixiSkintreats Clarity Tonic Clarifying Toner | Skin ControlPeel Pads | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 80% | 79% | 78% |
| Price | — | $14.00 | $17.21 | $7.55 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 4 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Saccharum Officinarum Extract | Gluconolactone |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Deviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing LiquidPEACH & LILY Acne Exfoliating Toner
Product summary
"Beauty of Joseon - Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA" is effective for: Anti-aging, Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (glycolic acid 1.70% - 2.50%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants).
- Humectants (sodium pca 0.10% - 0.35%, fructose 0.15% - 0.65% and glycerin 0.40% - 0.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Beauty of Joseon" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails for 25.03A$ in Australia, for 18.00$ in the United States and for 16.25£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 19 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Ginseng in Dermatology: A Reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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