COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

COSRX

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

face exfoliator

Added Last edited

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
47%
Combination (dry)
47%
Balanced
58%
Combination (oily)
88%
Oily
88%

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11
Ingredients
6
Benefits
2
Actives
Find Dupes

The COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is formulated with natural ingredients: 10% of apple fruit water (AHA) and 10% of willow bark water (BHA) and a mineral water base. The formula gently exfoliates dull skin, removes dead cells, prevents whiteheads and blackheads, and helps the skin to become clearer, brighter, and smoother over time.

Key Insights

Benefits

6
Anti-Acne
Anti-Aging
Evens Skin Tone
Hydration
Smooths Bumpy Skin
Soothing

Active Ingredients

2
AHA Vitamin B5 (panthenol)

Full Ingredients

11 total
WATER SALIX ALBA BARK WATER PYRUS MALUS FRUIT WATER BUTYLENE GLYCOL 1,2-HEXANEDIOL SODIUM LACTATE GLYCOLIC ACID AHA BETAINE SALICYLATE ALLANTOIN PANTHENOL Vitamin B5 (panthenol) ETHYL HEXANEDIOL

About AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Overview

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a watery-light exfoliator from COSRX, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 11 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate and Panthenol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.

What the formula does

Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Panthenol and Water.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.

Where it fits in a routine

Use it in the evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable. Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No fragrance or declared allergens
  • No essential oils
  • No drying alcohol
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • Strong humectant content for hydration
  • No common irritants flagged in the list
  • No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Hydration 4 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Soothing 2 ingredients

    Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin

  • Anti-Acne 1 ingredient

    Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores

  • Anti-Aging 1 ingredient

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

  • Evens Skin Tone 1 ingredient

    Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance

  • Smooths Bumpy Skin 1 ingredient

    Refines texture by gently exfoliating rough, uneven patches

Does not target

Blackhead Reducing Dark Spot Fading Oil Control Pore Minimizer

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Water

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration
Butylene Glycol

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

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)

Hydration
Sodium Lactate

6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium lactate

Hydration
Glycolic Acid AHA

7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Acetic acid, hydroxy-

Anti-Aging Evens Skin Tone Smooths Bumpy Skin
Betaine Salicylate

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Betaine Salycilate is the product formed by the reaction of Betaine with Salycilic Acid

Anti-Acne
Allantoin

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-

Soothing
Panthenol Vitamin B5 (panthenol)

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol

Hydration Soothing

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration High

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control None

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening Low

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing Low

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal Low

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (2)

Supporting ingredients (9)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Water Salix Alba Bark Water Pyrus Malus Fruit Water Butylene Glycol 1,2-hexanediol Sodium Lactate Betaine Salicylate Allantoin Ethyl Hexanediol

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Essential-oil-free
  • No drying alcohol
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Use with caution

  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)

    Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • BHA (salicylic acid)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • PHAs (gluconolactone)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • Benzoyl peroxide

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

Where it fits in a routine

Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Exfoliate
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise

This product is the "Exfoliate" step.

  • Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable.
  • Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
Sensitive and reactive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 11 ingredients on the label.

4
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

2
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

2
Soothing

Calms visible redness and irritation

2
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

2
Exfoliant

Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells

2
pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

1
Occlusive

Forms a film that slows water loss

1
Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

1
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Water Solvent
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water

Hydration
3 scientific references
  • Skin Research and Technology, May 2015, pages 131-136
  • Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, November-December 1999, pages 344-351
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, September-October 1993, pages 249-262
2 Salix Alba Bark Water Soothing
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Soothing

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Salix Alba Bark Water is an aqueous solution containing volatile oils obtained by the distillation of the bark of the White Willow, Salix alba L., salicaceae

3 Pyrus Malus Fruit Water
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Pyrus Malus Fruit Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the fruit of the Apple, Pyrus malus L., Rosaceae

4 Butylene Glycol Humectant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Texture agent, Solvent

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

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)

Hydration
5 scientific references
  • CosmeticsInfoorg, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
  • US Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations</em>, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
  • International Journal of Toxicology, May 2011, pages 5S-16S
  • Skin Research and Technology, November 2007, pages 417-24
  • Journal of the American College of Toxicology, September 1985, pages 223-248
5 1,2-hexanediol Solvent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

5th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

6 Sodium Lactate Humectant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Exfoliant, pH adjuster

6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium lactate

Hydration
6 scientific references
  • Nutrition Reviews Advance Article, July 2020, pages 1-16
  • Code of Federal Regulations, April 2020, ePublication
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, March 2014, pages 321-326
  • Materials Sciences and Applications, January 2012, pages 18-23
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, February 2007, ePublication
  • International Journal of Toxicology, January 1998, pages 1-241
7 Glycolic Acid Active
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Active, pH adjuster

7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Acetic acid, hydroxy-

Anti-Aging Evens Skin Tone Smooths Bumpy Skin
5 scientific references
  • Molecules, April 2018, 23(4), ePublication
  • DNA Cell Biology, February 2017, pages 177-187
  • Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, October 2015, pages 21-26
  • BioMed Research International, 2015, Volume 2015
  • Dermatology Research and Practice, February 2015, Volume 2015
8 Betaine Salicylate Exfoliant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Exfoliant, Preservative

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Betaine Salycilate is the product formed by the reaction of Betaine with Salycilic Acid

Anti-Acne
7 scientific references
  • Skin Purging vs Breakout – What Does Skin Purging Look Like?
  • What to Do When You Have Acne and Dry Skin
  • How to Minimize the Look of Post-Acne Marks
  • How to Manage Dehydrated, Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
  • Help for Breakouts on the Hairline and Scalp
  • The Best Ways to Treat Acne and Sensitive Skin
  • Say Goodbye to Body Acne
9 Allantoin Occlusive
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Occlusive, Soothing

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Urea, (2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl)-

Soothing
8 scientific references
  • Chemistry Series, March 2020, pages 7-21
  • Molecules, June 2019, pages 1-33
  • European Journal of Pharmacology, February 2018, pages 68-78
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, June 2017, Volume 76, Issue 2, Supplement 1
  • Pharmacognosy Review, Volume 5, July-December 2011
  • International Journal of Toxicology, May 2010, Supplement, pages 84S-97S
  • Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology, October 2008, ePublication
  • https://wwwaccessdatafdagov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearchcfm?CFRPart=347&showFR=1
10 Panthenol Active
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Active

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol

Hydration Soothing
7 scientific references
  • The Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, December 2019, pages 534-547
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, January 2019, pages 346-354
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, March 2018, pages 1-51
  • The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, August 2017, pages 173-180
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2011, pages 361-370
  • American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Volume 3, 2002, pages 427-433
11 Ethyl Hexanediol Solvent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol

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Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

WATER, SALIX ALBA BARK WATER, PYRUS MALUS FRUIT WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, SODIUM LACTATE, GLYCOLIC ACID, BETAINE SALICYLATE, ALLANTOIN, PANTHENOL, ETHYL HEXANEDIOL.

What are the active ingredients in AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

GLYCOLIC ACID, PANTHENOL.

How do I use AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

After cleansing, spray the toner onto a cotton pad and gently wipe onto the face, avoiding the eye and mouth area. For use during the daytime, follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 30 or greater.

What skin types is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner good for?

Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.

Is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner good for sensitive skin?

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner fungal acne safe?

No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.

Can I use AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner while pregnant?

Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.

Is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner fragrance free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.

Does AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contain alcohol?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.

Is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.

When should I apply AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

Use it in the evening, after cleansing, before serums.

How many ingredients does AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner have?

It lists 11 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.

Who makes AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner?

COSRX, a brand based in Korea.

Brand
COSRX
Country
Korea
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