What Does A Toner Do? Is A Toner Really Necessary?

A face toner is considered to be a secret skincare weapon. It has a water-based formula enriched with skin-soothing ingredients like eucalyptus, aloe, peppermint, or other ingredients, depending on your skin type. The primary purpose of using a toner is to gently refresh your skin without stripping off the natural oils and moisture. It prepares the skin to drink up your post-cleansing moisturizer and any other skincare products that you may apply. Incorporating the right toner in your regular CTM regime is crucial as it removes all the grime, dirt, and oil while leaving a positive impact on your skin’s appearance. It helps restore your skin’s pH balance, refines rough patches, and improves your skin tone. Now, let’s check out the 15 best Korean toners on the market!

15 Best Korean Toners For All Skin Types

1. Top Choice: N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Toner

N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Toner is one of the best Korean toners. It was developed by a team of top dermatologists and aestheticians to soothe and strengthen your skin. It keeps your skin naturally hydrated and focuses on skin concerns like dryness, dullness, and uneven skin texture. It is packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, marine minerals, and fatty acids that make your skin look supple and glowy. The thirst-quenching trio of rose water, honey, and tiger grass acts as a powerhouse to hydrate your skin. Pros

Hydrates the skin Reduces dullness and dryness Improves uneven skin tone Suitable for all skin types

Cons None

2. Best Soothing: THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner

THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner is formulated with a combination of rice extracts and other essential ingredients that reduce the appearance of dullness and uneven skin tone and balance oil production. Rice extracts remove dullness, lotus flower extract increases your skin’s vitality, and Centella asiatica extract imparts a gentle soothing effect. This Korean toner removes dirt and impurities while improving the skin texture. It is a brightening toner that provides a healthy complexion. Also Recommended By: We Heart This has also listed THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner in their top 10.[1]9 Best Korean Toners For Different Skin Types. We Heart This. https://weheartthis.com/best-korean-toners/Pros

Suitable for all skin types Dermatologist-tested Cruelty-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free No artificial fragrances No artificial dyes

Cons None

3. Best Hydrating: IOPE Super Vital Softener Facial Toner

IOPE Super Vital Softener Facial Toner gives you a fresh boost of hydration and offers the right amount of nutrition that your skin needs. It is an anti-aging facial toner that brightens your skin tone while refining fine lines and wrinkles. This ultra-moisturizing toner locks in moisture and restores its youthful glory. This Korean skin is enriched with youth-boosting plant extracts and antioxidants that delay the process of skin aging. It also boosts collagen production to give you healthy-looking and robust skin. Dr. Patricia Gaile Espinosa, MD, Philippine Dermatological Society, says, “This also protects your skin against harmful UV rays, which makes it a good anti-aging product. Flavonoids act as sunscreen, and can counteract inflammation brought about by UV rays on the skin”. Pros

Hydrates the skin Improves complexion Reduces the visible signs of aging Increases skin elasticity

Cons None

4. Best Fast-Absorbing: Enough Project Face Toner

This Korean face toner is crafted with a unique blend of ingredients that refreshes and moisturizes your skin. The mixture of hyaluronic acid and panthenol is highly effective in protecting your skin’s moisture barrier and keeping your skin rejuvenated for 24 hours. The quick-absorbing, lightweight formula glides smoothly on your skin while applying and maintains its pH level. It has a 5-free formula, i.e., it is free from animal ingredients, synthetic colorants, mineral oils, and other harsh chemicals. Its refreshing fragrance is a subtle blend of lily, jasmine, and woody notes. Pros

Protects the skin’s moisture balance Quick-absorbing formula Lightweight Vegan 5-free formula Refreshing fragrance

Cons None

5. Best Dermatologist-Tested: AHC Aqualuronic Toner

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AHC Aqualuronic Toner is a moisture-rich and hydrating toner crafted by K-beauty experts. Its lightweight, refreshing formula is a unique blend of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and French seawater. The toner has 3 types of hyaluronic acid that offer a fresh boost of hydration and refine your skin’s texture. This hydrating Korean toner has a gel-based formula and is a part of the specially designed skincare regimen based on the Korean aesthetic approach. This toner is light-weight, non-greasy, and spreads evenly(check out this video for clear visuals). Pros

Lightweight Makes the skin soft and supple Improves the skin texture Dermatologist-tested Mild fragrance

Cons None

6. Best pH-Balanced: Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Suitable for: All skin types The Supple Preparation Facial Toner by Dear, Klairs contains Phyto-Oligo, an extremely hydrating ingredient that can fight skin dryness. It also contains amino acids and plant extracts that calm inflammation and soothe it. This toner sinks into your skin quickly, keeping it hydrated and soft for longer. It is gentle on the skin, balances the pH level, have a look at the video to know more. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros

Sulfate-free Paraben-free No harmful chemicals pH-balanced formula

Cons None

7. Best Mineral Oil-Free: The Face Shop Rice And Ceramide Moisturizing Toner

Suitable for: Sensitive and dry skin types If your skin needs an extra boost of hydration, try the Rice And Ceramide Moisturizing Toner by The Face Shop. It contains ceramides, rice extracts, and rice bran oil that gently exfoliate the dead skin cells. This toner is made using naturally grown vegetable ceramides that don’t harm the natural moisture barrier of your skin. It is the best Korean toner for dry skin. This toner hydrates your skin giving plumpy feel (check out the video to know more). Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review. Pros

Gets absorbed quickly Paraben-free No mineral oil Talc-free Tar-free No artificial color

Cons None

8. Best For Improving Skin Texture: Missha Time Revolution Clear Toner

Suitable for: All skin types This toner is especially beneficial for people who have dry skin and uneven skin texture. It contains AHA and BHA that gently exfoliate the dead skin cells, even out your skin tone, and improve your skin texture. It also contains fermented yeast extracts that keep your skin hydrated and soft. Pros

No mineral oils Paraben-free SLS-free Sulfate-free No harmful chemicals

Cons None

9. Best Non-Comedogenic: Etude House Soonjung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

Suitable for: All skin types, especially sensitive and dry skin The Soonjung Relief Toner by Etude House is a weak acidic toner that helps the skin maintain its normal pH balance for a healthy and refreshed feel. It contains glycerine that protects the skin’s moisture barrier, relieves stress, and combats skin dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. It also has panthenol and madecassoside that heals damaged, irritated skin and offers a cooling effect to heated skin. Here’s a personal review video to help you get a better understanding of the product. Pros

 Non-comedogenic  Hypoallergenic  Low pH of 5.5 Dermatologically-tested  Mineral oil-free  Paraben-free  No synthetic perfume  Vegan

Cons None

10. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Dear Hydration Toner

Suitable for: Dry and sensitive skin types This hydrating toner is a favorite among people with dry skin. This intensely hydrating formula contains neem, holy basil, and peppermint extracts that help fight acne, boost skin immunity, reduce the appearance of acne scars and spots, and even out your skin tone. It is the best Korean toner for acne-prone skin. Dr. Patricia Gaile Espinosa, MD, Philippine Dermatological Society, says, “Neem contains antioxidants that helps with discoloration. Holy basil reduces inflammation and improves acne”. Pros

Paraben-free Sulfate-free No mineral oils

Cons None

11. Best Moisturizing: Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Toner

Suitable for: Combination skin This is a skin-balancing toner loaded with the extracts of Jeju green tea and green tea seeds. The green tea harvested in the nutrient-rich soil of Jeju Island contains amino acids and essential nutrients that keep your skin moisturized. It has a water-like texture that gets absorbed quickly and without causing any stickiness. best Korean toner for combination skin Pros

Paraben-free No animal ingredients No mineral oil No synthetic colors No imidazolidinyl urea Lightweight

Cons None

12. Best Non-Sticky: Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Toner

Suitable for: All skin types Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Toner contains snail mucin extracts that help maintain the skin balance and improves its vitality. It hydrates your skin, repairs any damage, and brightens it up. It contains a 30% snail slime that nourishes your skin without feeling sticky. It is the best Korean skincare toner. Pros

Paraben-free No artificial fragrance SLS-free No mineral oils

Cons None

13. Best For All Skin Types: Cosrx AHA BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Suitable for: All skin types This exfoliating toner has a very mild AHA/BHA formulation. AHA and BHA mainly help exfoliate dead skin cells and even out the skin tone and texture to reveal a bright and clear complexion. Moreover, this gentle peeling solution makes sure that the other skincare products you apply sink deep into your skin. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Note: If you have sensitive skin, do a patch test before using it. Apply sunscreen before stepping out. Pros

Paraben-free SLS-free Sulfate-free Low pH formula

Cons None

14. Best Multipurpose: COSRX Hydrium Watery Toner

Suitable For: All skin types, especially sensitive skin Korean skincare is all about natural and fermented ingredients. This Hydrium Watery Toner by COSRX deeply moisturizes the skin, keeping it hydrated for long. It contains Hydrium Synergy-8 complex, a blend of hyaluronic acid, D-panthenol, and allantoin that keep the skin moist and intensely hydrated for an attractive dewy glow. This toner can also be used as a facial spray, cleansing, or cooling mask. Pros

 Hypoallergenic  Multipurpose  Dermatologist-tested  Paraben-free  Sulfate-free  Phthalate-free  Alcohol-free  Cruelty-free

Cons None

15. Best Anti-Aging:  Skin Food Peach Sake Toner

Suitable for: Oily and acne-prone skin types Rice’s sake (rice wine or fermented rice water) has immense skin benefits. It has anti-aging and skin softening properties. The Peach Sake Toner by Skin Food contains rice wine and peach extracts that help control excess oil production by reducing the appearance of skin pores. It also contains herbal extracts that soothe irritation. It is the best Korean toner for oily acne-prone skin. Pros

Natural extracts Paraben-free SLS-free No mineral oils

Cons

Contains artificial color Contains synthetic fragrance

Wondering what are the benefits of adding a toner to your skincare routine? Find out below!

Benefits Of Using A Toner

Cleanses your skin. Effectively removes grime and impurities. Keeps your pores clean and prevents acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Hydrates your skin. Restores your skin’s pH balance. Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Diminishes the appearance of pores. Prevents the growth of ingrown hairs. Evens out the complexion of your skin. Gives your skin a radiant and vibrant glow.

Facial toners are crafted with different formulas according to different skin types. Therefore, before you purchase a toner, certain factors need to be taken into account: Check them out in the next section.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Skin Toner

Skin Type

Determine your skin type – whether it’s dry, oily, mature, sensitive, or combination.

Ingredients

Check the ingredients list before buying a toner. Irrespective of the skin type you have, avoid toners with harsh astringents like alcohol, menthol, and witch hazel. These ingredients will cause skin irritation and deplete your skin’s natural oils. Also, do not buy toners with fragrance, such as rose water or citrus fruits. Fragrances can also cause skin irritation. Now, let’s answer the most important question.

Do You Need A Toner?

A toner removes leftover dirt, makeup, and oil after washing your face with a cleanser. Besides, it restores the skin’s pH level. It also allows other skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers, to get absorbed better into your skin, thereby increasing their efficacy. Toner is recommended for people with acne-prone skin as it eliminates oil and prevents breakouts. They also help in exfoliating, moisturizing, and re-balancing your skin. They shrink the size of enlarged pores. Those who have dry skin can prevent dryness by using toners. There’s more! Toners also have anti-aging benefits. Alcohol-free toners can soothe your skin. Now, if you’re wondering if it’s essential to use a toner, there’s no compulsion. But, it can be a beneficial addition to your skincare routine. It can help you get your desired skin.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

The author of this post, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach. After thorough research and an extensive read of many different products, she recommends these best Korean toners. She also adds that these products help you reach your ideal skincare goals. These toners are a must-have in your skin care regime, and the best part is along with minimizing the appearance of your skin pores, these toners also hydrate your skin as they are made with natural ingredients. How do I properly use a toner? Saturate a cotton pad with your favorite facial toner, then swipe it over your entire face and neck. Always use a toner after washing your face and before applying a serum or a moisturizer. Can I use a toner with other skincare products? Toners act as the primary and most crucial step to your cleansing routine. They can always be used before you apply other skincare products like facial serums or moisturizers. How does toner differ from an essence and cleansing water? A toner is used to balance your skin’s pH level and get rid of any other impurities left on it after cleansing. An essence is most commonly used in a Korean skincare routine to prepare your skin for other skincare products. Cleansing water, on the other hand, helps you remove makeup or other impurities. How do Koreans put toner on? Usually, those who follow a Korean skincare routine, deep-clean their face with an oil-based cleanser and follow it up with a water-based cleanser. Then, they soak a cotton pad with a few drops of the toners and gently apply it to their cleansed skin. The last step is to apply a lightweight moisturizer. Is toner safe to use every day? Yes, toners are completely safe to be used daily. They gently exfoliate your skin and allow your skin products to penetrate deeper and utilize their potency to the most. Some toners can also prevent acne. Can I skip moisturizer after toner? No. Toners that have hydrating agents do boost intense moisture into your skin and act as a humectant. However, very few toners are so potent that they can replace a moisturizer. It’s always advisable to use a light moisturizer after applying a hydrating toner.

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