Best Korean Toners: Have you decided to start using Korean toners for your skin and looking for the best Korean toner? If yes, it could be one of the best decisions for your skin. Do you know why? It is because K-products are far more effective than Western products. Most of the toners from the west have witch hazel and alcohol as their main ingredients. Also, they only work on mitigating the oils and cleaning the dust from your skin.
However, Korean toners are many times more hydrating and soothing than western toners. They do many activities on your skin, as they prepare your skin to accept other skincare products without any problems. Hydrating, balancing pH levels and thorough cleansing of your skin are some of the activities Korean toners do to your skin.
According to a popular Korean beauty company, Peach & Lily, the purpose of the toners should be to rebalance your skin.
Sokoglam, another famous K-cosmetic company, insists on using the right toner, as it prepares the skin to absorb other cosmetic products that you apply later. Dermatologist recommends spend enough time choosing the right toner, as using the right one can improve your complexion’s overall color and brightness.
Choose the toner that is apt for your skin and gels well with the other skincare products you use.
Using a Korean toner is similar to how you use any other normal toner. Cleanse your face well, and apply a few drops of the toner on your hand or cotton pads to be applied on your skin.
If your skin gets very dry or oily during the day, you can use a Korean toner even during midday to give yourself a quick refresh.
Also read: 10 Best Korean Face Masks For Every Skin Type Women
Top 21 Best Korean Toners for Oily, Dry, and Acne Prone Skin Types
Read out the complete list to find out which is the best for your skin type.
Best Selling Koran Toner
1. Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner
Soko Glam’s Acwell Licorice pH balancing cleansing toner is one of the renowned Korean skin toners in the market today. Known for its deep-cleaning and brightening properties, this skin toner is specially designed to suit all skin types.
This toner comes with powerful ingredients such as peony extract and licorice water that get absorbed into your skin to give it a natural brightness. The green tea extract in this toner helps fight against pigmentation issues, acne and dark spots, leaving your skin extremely soft and supple. This toner can remove all impurities altogether, which is why it helps to prepare your skin to accept other skincare products properly. It comes with an effective pH balance of 5.5.
Compatible with – Acne Prone skin | Combination skin
Pros
- Perfect for all types of skin but suitable for acne prone and combination skin type.
- One of the most popular Korean skin toners today
Cons
- One reviewer found it a bit greasy
2. NMF Intensive Hydrating Toner
Formulated by reputed dermatologists and aestheticians, the NMF Intensive Hydrating Toner is considered one of the best skin toners in the Korean cosmetic market. It comes packed with effective ingredients, such as marine minerals, hyaluronic acid and important fatty acids that give your skin the natural hydration, smoothness and glow. The ingredients of rose water, honey and tiger grass help your skin to retain moisture, thereby keeping it supple for a long time.
Compatible with – Combination skin | Dry skin
Pros
- Keeps the skin hydrated
- Visible reduction of dullness and dryness
- Helps to bring evenness to your skin tone
- Compatible to be used with all types of skin
Cons
- None that we know of
3. THANK YOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner
Are you looking for a skin toner that protects your skin from dullness, irregular skin tones and imbalances in oil production? This Thank You Farmer Rice Pure Essential Toner is the right choice for you. Made with rice extracts, lotus flower extracts and Centella Asiatica extracts, this toner does a great job preventing dullness, improving the overall vitality and soothing your skin also removes excess oil. It also serves the purposes of dirt removal, impurities removal, brightening, and overall skin texture improvement.
Compatible with – Dry skin | Irregular skin
Pros
- Great for all skin types
- Dermatologist-Tested formula
- Free from animal cruelty, parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances and dyes
Cons
- Not for sensitive combination skin
4. IOPE Super Vital Softener Facial Toner
Known for its refreshing burst of hydration, the IOPE Super Vital Softener Facial Toner is one of the best nourishing skin toners for your skin. It comes with extreme hydration properties, which help lock in moisture and keep the skin young and glowing. It also helps to fight against anti-aging symptoms such as fine lines and wrinkles effectively. The plant extracts and antioxidants of this toner help retain your skin’s youthful look while increasing its collagen-producing potential.
Compatible with – Dry skin | Sensitive skin
Pros
- Provides good hydration
- Visible improvement in the overall complexion
- Fights against aging symptoms
- Improves the elasticity of the skin
Cons
- None that we know of
5. Enough Project Face Toner
The Enough Project Face Toner is highly popular, thanks to its effective ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol. These ingredients do a great job of hydrating your skin extremely well, by improving its moisture-retention properties. Your skin remains refreshed for about 24 hours after applying this toner. With its light and quick-absorbing texture, this toner is very easy to apply to your skin to balance its pH levels. It is free from toxic chemicals, animal products, artificial and synthetic colors and other mineral oils. You can smell lily, jasmine and woody notes in this toner.
Compatible with – Dry skin | Combination skin | Oily skin
Pros
- Keeps the moisture of the skin well-balanced
- Gets absorbed easily into the skin
- Lightweight formula
- Can be used by vegans as well
- Inbuilt with 5-free formula
- Excellent fragrance
Cons
- None that we know of
6. AHC Aqualuronic Toner
Made from French seawater, hyaluronic acid and ceramides, the AHC Aqualuronic Toner is a lightweight toner that hydrates your skin very well. Its gel-like structure makes it one of the best-selling Korean skin toners today. It comes packed with three types of hyaluronic acid that help to retain the moisture in your skin, keeping it refreshed and supple at all times.
Compatible with – Dry skin
Pros
- Lightweight texture
- Improves the softness and suppleness of the skin
- Overall improvement of skin texture
- Dermatologist-tested formula
- Pleasant but mild fragrance
Cons
- Contain Alcohol
7. Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
The Supple Preparation Toner from Dear Klairs contains a unique ingredient – Phyto Ogio, known for its extreme hydrating properties. The amino acids of this toner help to keep inflammation, dryness and redness at bay. This toner can get absorbed into the skin quickly, providing you continuous refreshment and moisture.
Compatible with – Sensitive skin | Combination skin
Pros
- Free from sulfates, parabens and toxic chemicals
- Comes with a formula to balance pH levels
Cons
- The price may be a turn off to some
Also Read: Best Moisturizers for Rosacea Recommended by Dermatologists
8. The Face Shop Rice and Ceramide Moisturizing Toner
Made from ceramides, rice extracts and rice bran oil, this toner from the Face Shop, specializes in exfoliating dead cells and giving your skin the extra dose of hydration it deserves.
According to Dr. Kaveri Karhade, MD, a dermatologist in San Francisco, ceramides help to retain the skin’s barrier with their hydration properties.
The vegetable ceramides used in this toner are organic, and they are extremely safe for your skin. If you are looking for the best Korean toner for normal skin, this is the right choice for you.
Compatible with – Normal skin
Pros
- Quick-absorption formula
- Free from parabens, minerals, talc, tar and artificial colors
Cons
None that we know of
9. Missha Time Revolution Essence/Toner
Replete with AHA and BHA, this toner is specially designed for people with very dry skin and uneven skin texture. The powerful ingredients of this tone, like fermented yeast, not only keep your skin soft & supple, but also exfoliate dead cells and improves the overall texture of your skin.
Compatible with – Dry skin
Pros
- Free from mineral oils, parabens, SLS, sulfates and harsh chemicals
Cons
- It’s like water so you have to be careful not to waste it.
10. Etude House Moistfull Collagen Intense Facial Toner
This toner from Etude House comes in a texture of water essence. It is made from powerful ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen and White Lupin seeds. While the former keeps your skin bouncy thanks to the extra hydration, the latter sinks deep into your skin, keeping it supple and vibrant. This makes it one of the most popular Korean skin toners in the market.
Compatible with – all skin types, but more useful for dry and aging skin
Pros
- Free from mineral oils, imidazolidinyl urea, silicone oils and tar
- Dermatologist-tested formula
Cons
- None that we know of
11. Dear Hydration Toner
If you have dry skin, you should try this extremely hydrating toner right now. It is replete with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as neem, holy basil and peppermint extracts. These help to fight inflammations and keep your skin free from acne, breakouts, scars and uneven skin tone. It helps to improve the overall immunity of your skin. People, with acne-prone skin, love this toner.
Compatible with – Acne Prone skin | Sensitive skin
Pros
- Free from sulfates, parabens and mineral oils
Cons
- None that we know of
12. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Toner
Replete with Jeju green tea and green tea seeds, this toner comes with very high skin-balancing properties. Green tea, which is used in this toner, is grown in the fertile soils of Jeju Island. Hence, they are rich in amino acids, which help to keep your skin hydrated and supple. It comes in the texture of water, due to which it gets absorbed very quickly into your skin.
Compatible with – Normal skin | Combination skin
Pros
- Free from parabens, animal ingredients, mineral oils, synthetic colors and imidazolidinyl urea
Cons
- Some users complain that it dries out their faces
- Extremely Fragrant
13. Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Toner
This Snail Repair Intensive Toner from Mizon comes with snail mucin extracts, which do a great job of skin-repairing and hydration. It improves the overall vitality of the skin, and restores the skin balance quickly. The 30% snail slime in this non-greasy toner helps to your skin nourished always. This is one of the most popular Korean skin toners in the market today.
Compatible with – Dry skin
Pros
- Free from parabens, SLS, mineral oils and artificial fragrances
Cons
- It is not recommended for sensitive skin.
14. Cosrx AHA BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
This is an exfoliating toner that comes with a mild AHA and BHA formula. Thanks to this formula, you can use this toner to get rid of dead cells, get an even skin tone, improve your skin’s overall texture, and improve your complexion. This is a gentle toner that gets absorbed quickly into your skin.
Note – Always do a patch- test before trying this or any toner, to know if you can use the product. Use sunscreen over your toner if you are going out.
Compatible with – All types of skin
Pros
- Free from sulfates, parabens and SLS
- Comes with a low pH formula
Cons
- None that we know of
15. COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
The Centella Asiatica present in this toner give your skin the intense hydration, reduce excess oil and rejuvenation that it deserves. Considered as one of the best Korean toners for oily skin, its low pH formula keeps your skin’s pH levels under control.
Compatible with – Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal skin type
Pros
- Free from alcohol, artificial fragrances, parabens, sulfates and mineral oils
- Comes with a pH level of 6
Cons
- None that we know of
16. Skin Food Peach Sake Toner
This toner contains rice wine and peach extracts that keep the oil production of the skin under control, thereby reducing the appearance of clogged pores. The anti-inflammatory herbal extracts found here give a soothing effect to oily and acne-prone skin, which is why it is a super hit toner for these types of skin.
Compatible with – Oily skin | Sensitive skin | Acne-prone skin
Pros
- Made from natural extracts
- Free from parabens, SLS and mineral oils
Cons
- Not entirely free from artificial colors and fragrance
Also read: Weleda Skin Food Review 2023 – Does it works
17. Skin Food Premium Avocado Rich Toner
This toner comes with extremely nourishing ingredients like avocado extract, avocado oil and natural ceramides that help it to stay supple and hydrated for a long time. While it may not be very effective for oily skin, this toner is a blessing for people with very dry skin. Continuous use of this toner can also help eliminate uneven skin tone, rough patches and itchiness.
Compatible with – Dry skin
Pros
- Made from natural extracts
- Free from parabens, SLS and mineral oils
Cons
- Not entirely free from artificial colors and synthetic fragrances
18. Benton Snail Beed High Content Skin Toner
Snail mucin has been widely used in almost all Korean cosmetic products. It is known for its effective properties, such as:
- Overall repairing of the skin
- Providing extreme hydrating and soothing effects for the skin
- Offering evenness in skin tones (which is why people with scars from breakouts can benefit hugely from it)
- Providing a natural glow and brightness to your skin
Compatible with – All, Oily, Sensitive, Acne-Prone, Dry and for skin with scars from breakouts
Pros
- Considered as the best snail beed toner
- Keeps your skin well-hydrated
- Visible reduction in scars due to breakouts
- Natural glow to your skin
Cons
- Not suitable for vegans
19. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
The Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner is Glow Recipe’s newest product. It contains two exclusive ingredients of watermelon extract ( replete with amino acids to give your skin the natural hydration and soothing) and cactus water (to help the skin’s moisture-retention capacity). The Korean Aqua Peel Facial has inspired this product’s formula.
It specializes in the tightening of enlarged pores, as 6% of the toner is made up of polyhydroxy acids (PHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs present in the form of willow bark). These ingredients help to keep the clogged pores tight by unclogging them and removing excess sebum production.
Compatible with – Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal
Pros
- Unscented
- No Parabens
- No Sulfates
- No Phthalates
- No Drying Alcohols
- No Synthetic Dyes
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Reduce the appearance of clogged pores and blackheads
- Delivers essential vitamins to the skin
Cons
- Not for reactionary skin type.
20. Some by Mi AHA-BHA-PHA, 30 Days Miracle Toner
This 30-day miracle toner is a super hit with women. One toner bottle is sold every 3 seconds today. What makes this so effective?
The main reason for its effectiveness is its powerful ingredients. The toner contains three effective exfoliant chemicals: alpha-hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids and polyhydroxy acids. It also contains papaya and witch hazel extracts, which give a boost to your skin by deep-cleaning it, to remove all enlarged pores, leaving it soft and supple.
Though this toner comes with these strong chemicals, it still comes with the best pH level of 5.5, making it extremely suitable for your skin.
Compatible with – All skin type, Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal
Pros
- Gently exfoliates dead skin cells
- Unclogs pores and helps manage sebum production
- Improves skin texture and tone
- Soothes irritation
- Targets wrinkles and dullness
- No Artificial fragrances & colors
- No parabens
- No sulfates
- No alcohol
- No mineral oil
- No silicone
Cons
- May be too harsh for sensitive skin types
- Can dry out the skin if used excessively
- May irritate the skin if not used properly
21. Mamonde Rose Water Toner
This is a skin toner that gives a natural and immediate soothing sensation to your skin. You can smell like a bouquet of roses when you use this, as it is infused with 90% rose water. The water is taken from special 100% Damask roses, to give your skin the refreshment and hydration it needs. It is also the recipient of the Allure Korea Best of Beauty award. It is certified vegan product and free from alcohol. With its antioxidant-rich formula, your skin will be visibly soothed, hydrated, refreshed and purified.
Compatible with – All skin type, Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal
Pros
- Smells amazing
- Made with real rose water
- Hydrates and refreshes skin
- Award-winning
- Vegan and alcohol-free
Cons
- Expensive
- Not widely available
Best K-Beauty Toners for Skin Whitening And Hyperpigmentation
Here is the list of 6 best Korean toners for skin whitening, Hyperpigmentation And For Glowing Skin. When you use them, your skin tone will become even, dark spots will fade, and your skin will glow again.
- I’m From Rice Toner
- Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist
- Nacific Fresh Herb Origin Toner
- D’Alba Piedmont No-Sebum Balancing Toner
- Jumiso Yes I Am AHA 5%
- Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Toner
Keep reading to know what benefits can skin toners provide to your skin.
Hydrating Toners for Oily, Dry, Combo, Acne-Prone, & Sensitive Skin By @DrDrayzday
Top 10 Benefits of using a toner
- Excellent cleansing for your skin
- Complete removal of dust, grime and residue
- Cleansing of pores and making your skin less prone to acne, blackheads and whiteheads
- Keeps your skin hydrated
- Bring back the pH balance in your skin
- Visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Diminished appearance of enlarged pores
- Keeps growth of ingrown hairs under control
- Brings about evenness in your skin complexion
- Makes your skin glow naturally and radiantly
Skin toners come in different formula combinations. So, you need to keep some points in mind when choosing the right toner for your skin. Keep reading to know more about these points.
Things to Know before buying a skin toner
Skin type
This is the most important point you have to keep in mind when buying skin toners. Is your skin dry, oily, sensitive, or a combination of these factors? Then, follow these tips to choose the right toner:
- People with dry skin are more prone to peeling off skin, redness, itching, dryness and cracking. So, they need to choose a toner that contains a lot of hydrating and soothing ingredients like peptides, rose hips seed oil, jojoba oil, glycolipids and dimethicone.
- Do you have oily skin? If yes, you need a toner that is replete with refreshing ingredients. We recommend you choose toners that contain ingredients like sodium PCA, AHA and sodium hyaluronate for people with oily skin.
- If you have a combination skin, you can choose two different toners that you can use during summer and winter. You can use refreshing and oil-free toners for the scorching summers, whereas for the winters, you can use moisturizing toners with jojoba or rosehip oil for the best results.
- People with sensitive skin should be cautious while choosing toners. Ensure that your toners don’t contain alcohol, acids, dyes, or artificial fragrances, as they can cause severe inflammation in your skin. We recommend using toners with anti-inflammatory agents, such as beta-glucans, white tea extract, glycerin and sea whip.
- If you have mature-looking skin, you should use toners with antioxidant-rich ingredients like Vitamin C. The antioxidants will slow down the aging symptoms, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or dark spots on your skin. Additionally, they also boost the collagen-producing potential of your skin.
Ingredients
Check the ingredients label carefully when you buy a skin Toner. Regardless of your skin type, ensure that you don’t buy toners that contain harsh acids or alcohol, menthols, acids, witch hazel and other astringents. Also, stay away from toners that contain artificial fragrances (like those of rosewater or citrus fruits), as these can irritate your skin and rob it of its natural oils. Buy toners that has salicylic acid, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and if you have excessive oily skin try emulsion for skin as well as you don’t need much moisturiser.
So, how do you pick the right toner?
Firstly, you need to assess your skin type and choose a toner that suits the same. If you pick a toner that doesn’t suit your skin, it can lead to unnecessary breakouts and redness. Secondly, you need to read the ingredients label properly before you buy a toner. Be aware of the ingredients you are allergic to before choosing the toner, so that you don’t experience any side effects.
Expert answers for your questions on skin toners
How should I use a toner right away?
Cleanse your face well first. Then, take a little bit of your chosen toner on a cotton pad. Apply this evenly all over your face. Then, proceed to apply other skincare products like serums and moisturizers.
How well does a toner gel with other skincare products?
Always, a toner should be the first step of your skincare routine. After using a toner, you can apply other skincare products like serums or moisturizers usually.
What is the difference between a toner and an essence/cleansing water?
The primary purpose of a toner is to restore the pH balance in your skin. Also, it is used to get rid of dust, grime and other residues from your skin. On the other hand, an essence is only used to help your skin absorb other skincare products properly, according to Korean cosmetic treatment. The main purpose of cleansing water is to get rid of dust and traces of makeup only.
Which Korean toner is best for combination skin?
If you have combination skin type then go for a toner that contains Alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid or glycolic. Dermatologists recommend using the mild Alpha hydroxy acids products. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner would be a great option for you.
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation. It was definitely informative. Your post is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Which Korean toner is best for skin whitening?
Hi Kaia, I would highly recommend you to try “I’m From” Rice Toner Brand. It is a alcohol, parabens and sulfates product so it will not effect your skin negatively. It is also the best selling product at sokoglam.
Hi Hazel,
Can you please suggest which is the best Korean toner for acne prone skin?
Hi Fiona,
Use any of these:
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner
Dear Hydration Toner
Skin Food Peach Sake Toner
I would recommend using Acwell.