I absolutely adore Innisfree’s Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner—especially in summer, when my skin tends to get greasy in the morning. The only downside is its slightly steep price. This time around, I’m testing Mentholatum’s Acnes Medicated Powder Lotion to see if it can take the place of my longtime favorite.
Innisfree’s toner relies on volcanic mineral powder to refine pores, control shine, and purify the complexion. On the other hand, Mentholatum’s formula uses a medicated powder infused with Vitamin C to fight breakouts, revitalize, and brighten the skin.
Both toners before shaking. The settled powder is clearly visible at the bottom.
After shaking, each transforms into a milky liquid.
A close look at the ingredient lists reveals that both products contain lactic acid—an AHA that gently exfoliates—and alcohol, a solvent that can sometimes irritate. In fact, alcohol appears second on both lists. Mentholatum’s formula is shorter, featuring zinc oxide to target acne, aloe extract to calm the skin, and menthol for a cooling effect. Meanwhile, Innisfree includes multiple botanical extracts plus silica for a matte finish. Only Innisfree adds fragrance.
Ingredient list of Innisfree’s Jeju Volcanic Pore TonerIngredient list of Mentholatum’s Acnes Medicated Powder LotionImage: Yvonne And Her Playground
You can find my full review of Innisfree’s toner here. Now, let’s dive deeper into Mentholatum’s offering.
The Mentholatum toner comes in a compact plastic bottle—perfect for travel. It features a screw cap with a small opening. Just like the Innisfree version, you must shake it well to blend the powder with the liquid before each use. After cleansing, pour the mixed toner onto a cotton pad and gently pat it over your face. Always follow with a moisturizer, as it can be somewhat drying.
Mentholatum’s Acnes Medicated Powder Lotion has a smaller (but still sufficient) opening.
I appreciate the minty, fragrance-free sensation of this toner. Similar to the Innisfree toner, it leaves a white cast if applied too heavily. That doesn’t bother me much, though, because the excess powder rubs off easily after moisturizer. When it comes to oil absorption, I find Mentholatum less effective than Innisfree—which actually suits me, since I have dry, sensitive skin. Both toners deliver an instant matte, calm finish without any tightness or itchiness.
Innisfree’s Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner (left) looks clearer than Mentholatum’s Acnes Medicated Powder Lotion (right), yet it actually produces a more noticeable white cast.
Both products help prevent major breakouts and whiteheads, but neither has resolved my cystic adult acne. In fact, the entire Acnes line from Mentholatum is designed primarily for teenagers—and I’m well past that stage!
Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s humidity has dropped to around 40%, so I’ve stopped using both toners for fear of over-drying my skin (I’m currently relying on plenty of ceramide and hyaluronic acid to keep it hydrated). I still adore Innisfree’s toner for its ability to sweep away dirt and makeup residue with volcanic powder, but Mentholatum’s version is considerably cheaper per milliliter. So perhaps Innisfree is best for post-makeup days, while Mentholatum works well for everyday use.
