I swear StyleVana* must have a psychic link to my skin’s wants and needs because I was thinking about how I wanted to do a calming toner to combat all the redness I was experiencing. I was also coming to the end of my beloved Benton toner bottle. When I opened the package, there was a Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner*! Perfect!
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner Review in a Nutshell:
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner Price
On the Round Lab official website, it retails for $27 for 10.14 fl. oz / 300 ml.
In the US, you can shop on the official Round Lab Store on Amazon* or on trusted Asian shops such as StyleKorean* and StyleVana*.
Round Lab Brand
Having launched in 2017, Round Lab is not a new brand in the Korean Market. Its parent company has other brands you may also be familiar with if you’re into the Korean Skincare world; the History of Whoo and Sum37 are two of the most popular.
Round Lab claims it focuses on helping alleviate daily weariness and stress-worn skin through high-quality skincare products. Round Lab is constantly searching for reinvigorated ingredients to formulate the best Korean skincare products to improve skin conditions, regardless of skin type and age.
Is Round Lab Cruelty-free?
Yes! Round Lab products are alcohol-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly!
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner Claims
A watery toner infused with Mugwort extract and Madecassoside which effectively moisturizes and soothes irritated skin for a healthier complexion.
The formulation of Mugwort extract contains Vitamin A, B, and Beta-Carotene which reduces skin’s stress with a soothing effect.
Panthenol, Mugwort extract, and Betaine provide moistures to skin without stickiness.
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner Ingredients
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner Ingredients List (last checked 2024)
Purified Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycereth-26, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract (11,760ppm), Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Panthenol, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Madecassoside, Xylitol, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract(240ppm), Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glucose, Butylene Glycol, Fructooligosaccharides, Fructose, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Dextrin, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum.
Ingredients referred from the Round Lab official website.
Humectant/Moisturizing Active Herb Brightening
Key Ingredients Analysis
This ingredient list shows that this is a calming, moisturizing toner.
Mugwort
Love soothing ingredients in your skincare? Check out Mugwort’s skin benefits.
Artemisia, also known as mugwort, has been a beneficial ingredient in medicine, food, and cosmetics for centuries. It is a fool-proof, flexible product for sensitive, acne-prone, dry, and dull skin.
The legend says that one day, the Heavenly God, Hwanin, was bored and decided to spy on his son, Hwanung, who was obsessed with the human world. He peeked through the clouds and saw a beautiful mountain range called Samwi-Taebaek. He thought, “Wow, that looks like a nice place to live. Maybe I should send my son there and see how he likes it.”
According to the legend, a tiger and a bear lived in a cave near the sacred Mount Taebaek. They prayed to Hwanung, the son of Hwanin, the Lord of Heaven, to turn them into humans. Hwanung heard their sincere desires. He put them in a cave with mugwort and garlic and told them to stay there for 100 days. The tiger gave up after 21 days, but the bear persevered and completed the test. The bear was turned into a beautiful woman and married Hwanung. She later gave birth to Dangun, who founded the first Korean kingdom, Gojoseon.
I’m a sucker for myths like that. Maybe if we slather ourselves with Mugwort for 100 days, we can become gorgeous and marry a heavenly prince.
Here, it is present through two species, Artemisia Vulgaris and Artemisia Princeps, which:
- antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties;
- calms irritated and sensitive skin;
- helps treat redness and atopic diseases;
- prevent breakouts;
- is full of antioxidants and Vitamin E;
- helps to protect and nourish the skin barrier;
- hydrates and brighten the skin tone, making it look more radiant and healthy.
Madecassoside
Centella Asiatica contains many active compounds. Madecassoside is one of them. Researchers believe that saponins like Madecassoside are responsible for this plant’s broad therapeutic actions. Centella Asiatica has strong antioxidant properties due to Madecassoside, and it’s also a rich source of amino acids, flavonoids, phytosterols, and fatty acids.
It has potent anti-inflammatory effects and stimulates fibroblasts, creating collagen and strengthening the skin’s structure. It also contributes to anti-aging as it is an effective antioxidant.
Packaging
It comes in a huge container compared to most toners; it’s a whopping 10.14 fl. oz. / 300 ml! It will last forever, so it’s excellent value for your money. Also, the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner packaging is adorable.
The toner has a safety seal, making it very hygienic.
Scent
The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner smells like that LUSH tea tree toner if you’ve ever used or smelled it. If you haven’t, it’s like a carbonated grapefruit/herbal smell. It’s hard to describe, but I like that smell.
Texture
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner is a colored, thin liquid that soaks easily and quickly into the skin. I loved applying multiple layers when I used it because of its light and watery consistency. The Mugwort Calming toner can be used for the seven skins method without any problems and also gets a bit bubbly/foamy if you jostle the liquid around.
My Skin Type
At this point, I wanted to add my skin type: very sensitive, combination, and rosacea-prone.
My Experience with the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
My skin was in pretty good shape when I began using this, and I have to say, it stayed that way throughout. I especially enjoyed using this post-workout because it has a delicate, clean scent and is refreshing and moisturizing. This made my skin look glowy and supple, tightened my pores, and added some hydration.
The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner delivers in terms of providing quick redness relief. I’m on my third bottle of this Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner, so I like it. It’s honestly not my favorite toner. I prefer the Benton Aloe BHA Toner, but the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner calms my skin like no other toner has ever been able to do. My hypersensitive skin was calmed down, so no more itchy bumps. It’s a bit pricey, but also easy to get as we have it on Amazon here in the States.
Although it contains citric acid, it’s very gentle, and I believe it soothes my skin because it tends to reduce the teeny bit of redness I sometimes get from using my vitamin C. I’d say it’s so soothing that it would be appropriate for fixing a damaged skin barrier.
If you sleep in an air-conditioned room or it is cold where you live, you will need a more hydrating toner at night. Related story: Guide to correctly layering chemical exfoliants and hydrating toners
How to Use the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
- First, I use an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser as part of my double-cleansing routine;
- Follow with a pH-adjusting toner;
- Drop some Round Lab Mugwort Toner on my palm and pat it on my face, neck, and chest;
- If needed, continue with a more dense, milky toner;
- Do my essences and serums;
- I apply moisturizer;
- I have some more Mugwort in my morning sunscreen.
Tip. Another way to make the most of this toner is to soak it in pads and use it as a mask.
Fungal acne safety
Nine months later – It didn’t trigger my fungal acne and was soothing to my skin. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner IS fungal acne safe. My skin feels light during the day, coupled with a lightweight gel moisturizer.
Who is Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner suitable for?
The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner can work for every skin type, but if your skin is mature and needs extra hydration, please try Thank You Farmer Miracle Age Repair Toner.
Remember, Korean toners are not like American astringents; these are meant to be moisturizing, not stripping. I had my husband, who has oily skin, try this out, and it worked just as well for him as it did for me. I have to say, I’m so glad I tried these products out; barring any new information on the ingredients that say it contains crazy things, I’m going to say I recommend it!
If it’s hot and humid where you are, the toner should be pretty refreshing.
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner vs. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
I was lucky to receive a 50 ml sample of the Round Lab Dokdo Toner*, so if you’re wondering which one to choose between the two Round Lab toners, I’d say the Mugwort toner is more appropriate for my sensitive skin. Although both toners are suitable for sensitive skin, the ingredients are different.
The Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner* contains protein enzymes for providing hydration panthenol, allantoin, betaine, glycerin, seawater, and sugar cane extract and for exfoliation. The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner contains mugwort extract, Madecassoside, glycerin, panthenol, betaine, and cacao seed extract for calming and soothing.
Regarding texture, both are very watery toners, but when applied by hand, Dokdo toner has a slight viscosity. Both are super quick, have no stickiness, layer nicely, and have no scent added. The but Mugwort Calming Toner smells like a sweet smile and the Dokdo toner of nothing in particular.
As mentioned above, the Round Lab Dokdo Toner* gives hydrating and exfoliating effect, and the Mugwort toner gives a feeling of hydrating, calming, soothing, and refreshing. In providing hydration, both of them are hydrating, but Dokdo Toner is more hydrating. The Mugwort Calming Toner is better at soothing and calming.
The Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner reduces irritation and helps skin to have a healthy glow. On the other hand, the Dokdo toner adjusts uneven skin tone and slowly smoothes skin texture.
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner* – Hydrating, gentle exfoliating toner
Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner* – Hydrating, calming, soothing, refreshing toner
(*affiliate links)
Pros
- suitable for every skin type
- provides quick redness relief, this mugwort toner delivers
- soothes and cools and doesn’t cause any irritation
- very gentle
Cons
- In terms of hydration, however, this falls short for dry skin types
- a bit pricey
Final thoughts
I’m enjoying the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner. I’d say it was a lovely summer toner. It was an excellent soothing toner for me.
Shop for Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
Lastly, I was not paid for this review or received it as a gift.
As always, you do you; be kind to your skin and yourself! Remember that every person’s skin and skin type is different, so what might work for me might not work for you, and vice versa. So, before adding a new product to your skincare routine, it pays to do a little research first.
Before adding the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner to your skincare regimen, ensure you are not allergic to it or its ingredients. You should also consult your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any medical conditions or medications that may interact with the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner. Always do a patch test before applying the Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner on your skin to avoid adverse reactions.
I am not a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician, but I have sufficient experience and knowledge I gained by testing multiple products and self-exploration. Unsure? Best to consult your dermatologist.
Happy shopping, and don’t forget the sunscreen! Here’s to great skin in 2024!
Show Me Proof
- Yun, Chanyong, Youngchul Jung, Wonjoo Chun, Beodeul Yang, Junghyun Ryu, Chiyeon Lim, Jung-Hoon Kim, Hyungwoo Kim, and Su-In Cho. “Anti-inflammatory effects of Artemisia leaf extract in mice with contact dermatitis in vitro and in vivo.” Mediators of Inflammation 2016 (2016).
- Hrytsyk, Roman Andriiovych, Roman Volodymyrovych Kutsyk, Oxana Ivanivna Yurchyshyn, Оxana Аnatolievna Struk, Igor Vladimirovich Kireev, and Andrii Romanovych Grytsyk. “The investigation of antimicrobial and antifungal activity of some Artemisia L. species.” Pharmacia 68, no. 1 (2021): 93-100.
- Iqbal, Shahid, Umer Younas, Kim Wei Chan, Muhammad Zia-Ul-Haq, and Maznah Ismail. “Chemical composition of Artemisia annua L. leaves and antioxidant potential of extracts as a function of extraction solvents.” Molecules 17, no. 5 (2012): 6020-6032.
- Elansary, Hosam O., Agnieszka Szopa, Paweł Kubica, Halina Ekiert, Diaa O. El-Ansary, Fahed A. Al-Mana, and Eman A. Mahmoud. “Polyphenol content and biological activities of Ruta graveolens L. and Artemisia abrotanum L. in northern Saudi Arabia.” Processes 8, no. 5 (2020): 531.
