Formula · 8.3

Brand · 7.3

COSRX · toner with glycolic acid and BHA · South Korea

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
8.3

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4
  • Active concentration0.9After the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.6For “skin texture and pores” — 65 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); below threshold: glycolic acid; a narrow formula for one purpose
  • Tolerance1.0No ingredients from irritant or allergen lists
  • adults
  • oily skin
  • acne-prone
  • babies
  • atopic skin
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skintingling, start 1–2 times a week
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.
When:
  • leave-on
  • evening
in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime
When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks; blackheads, pores — 4–8 weeks; soothing and less tightness — within days; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: tingling for 1–2 minutes after applying; mild dryness

Ingredients — 10 components · 4 work

What works: 4 of 10 ingredients: glycolic acid, betaine salicylate, allantoin and 1 more. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.

Strengths: active concentration, tolerance

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; completeness for the purpose: for “skin texture and pores” — 65 %

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Butylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent: it makes the texture lighter and helps actives spread. Better tolerated than propylene glycol.
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Sodium Lactate base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Glycolic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Betaine Salicylate works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: BHA acid
  • Allantoin works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: allantoin
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • Ethyl Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a product whose active ingredient is glycolic acid + betaine salicylate (bha) + allantoin + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: glycolic acid. The effect is moderately supported: betaine salicylate (bha), allantoin, panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). The formula has 10 ingredients, 4 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, oily skin, acne-prone, babies, atopic skin. pregnancy, sensitive skin, before sun — ask a doctor. rosacea, eczema, children — not without a doctor. Use: in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime. When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 8.3 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 1 of 4; after the 1 % line: panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) — the concentration is likely token; for “skin texture and pores” — 65 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); below threshold: glycolic acid; a narrow formula for one purpose). The brand states: sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

Who it does not suit

  • rosacea, eczemanot on inflamed skin
  • childrenonly if prescribed

When to stop: burning, persistent redness — stop; do not use the same evening as a retinoid; burning — stop

Per the maker's leaflet: The brand states: sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

Is this product right for your skin?

The score describes the formula, not your skin: the same product dries one person and saves another. Describe your skin type, reactions and goals, attach a photo of the ingredient list or the product — we will go through every ingredient and say whether it suits you, what to pair it with and what to avoid.

Cosmetic ingredient checkDecode my tests

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