These Top-Rated Korean Toners Are Your Shortcut to Glass Skin
We all have our non-negotiables in skin care, depending on our skin's needs. Where some may skip out on certain serums, others are loyal to the transformative benefits of vitamin C or even retinol. However, one hotly debated category is toners—while many deem them unnecessary, they do have impressive benefits as well, especially Korean-formulated solutions.
'Traditional Korean toners were once solely focused on restoring your skin's pH,' explains Charlotte Cho, the founder of Soko Glam. Of course, as technology advances and skin concerns evolve, many of the best Korean skin care brands have evolved to provide a bevy of other benefits as well. 'These multi-taskers can provide deep hydration through cleansing and gentle exfoliation, making them an important step after cleansing. Modern Korean toners are designed to prime your skin perfectly for the next stages of your skin care routine. With their diverse functions, you'll find them categorized into 'skin toners,' 'cleansing toners,' and 'essence toners,' each crafted to meet specific skincare needs,' she adds.
Because these toners still generally work to support the skin's natural moisture barrier, Julie Monti, the director of education at Amore Pacific US, recommends them for everyone. 'No matter how great your cleanser is, water attracts water. Skin tends to be dehydrated after cleansing. And dehydrated skin could lead to other skin concerns, such as excess sebum production, breakouts, dryness, and even future signs of aging,' Monti explains. Of course, the exact formula and moisture level of the product you choose depends on your skin's type and specific needs—and we're here to help you find your match.
After speaking to experts, researching and testing a few formulas ourselves, and reviewing customer feedback for fan-favorite products, we landed on the 11 best Korean toners to balance and soothe your skin. There are exfoliating toners, ones that focus on restoring moisture, formulas meant to calm irritation, and more. Find your match below.
This toner feels as comforting as snuggling under a warm blanket on a chilly night. Conditioning ingredients fill this jar, including niacinamide, ceramides, chamomile, and rice bran extract. Great for post-procedure tightness or dryness, the Milk Skin Rice Toner supercharges the skin with hydration to encourage an even, softer complexion.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, rice bran extract, chamomile, ceramides
Size: 1.69 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'One of my favorite milky toners. Hydrates and makes my skin feel fresh. Doesn't feel heavy or greasy in any way.'
If you find that your skin is easily irritated and could use a dose of something calming, try incorporating this toner into your routine. Thanks to an infusion of hydrating and soothing artemisia, the toner instantly pacifies angry skin and provides deep moisturization.
Key ingredients: Artemisia-cica, panthenol, glycerin
Size: 5.07 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: 'I have been using this for a little bit, and it has been a great add to my skincare. Ive been using it as a in between hydration step just to add more moisture during my routine and it's been so refreshing! I love how calming yet hydrating it makes my skin!!'
This toner contains chemical exfoliating PHA 'to gently exfoliate to leave skin feeling smooth, while also providing moisture to not over-dry or strip,' Monti says. Any skin type can use the leave-on formula, and it's gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: Green tea-derived enzyme, PHA, hyaluronic acid
Sephora rating: 4.7/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: 'Don't be startled by the three-letter skin care powerhouse this toner is built around; while it contains exfoliating PHAs and green tea enzymes to slough away rough texture and dead skin, hyaluronic acid balances the treatment's effects, imparting a surge of hydration that keeps my skin happy and healthy. My skin is super sensitive and will immediately reject any product it doesn't like, but this toner has remained a mainstay in my lineup for some time now.'—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Birch juice is an ingredient beloved by Korean skin care companies for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and makes up 70 percent of this formula. It also has a one percent concentration of glycolic and lactic acids 'to refine skin texture while keeping skin hydrated and soothed,' says Cho.
Key ingredients: Birch juice, squalane, glycolic, lactic Acid
Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
Soko Glam rating: 4.4/5 stars
Our expert says: 'This lightweight toner doubles as a gentle exfoliant and hydrator, leaving my skin hydrated and super smooth. The formula is gentle but effective, minimizing breakouts, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and brightening your skin. It's a must-have for any skin care routine.'—Danielle James, beauty expert
'Perfect for sensitive or irritated skin, this toner features a low pH formula that helps maintain the skin's natural balance,' says Cho. The viral formula, which is one of the most popular toners in South Korea, boasts a high concentration of Heartleaf extract; the ingredient soothes fresh breakouts, irritation, and rosacea in the blink of an eye.
Key ingredients: Heartleaf, panthenol
Size: 8.45 fl. oz.
Soko Glam rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Soko Glam reviewer says: 'I love this product so much! I have acne [and] oily skin, and I use acne products that are prescribed to me by my dermatologist. They tend to make my skin sensitive and peel, but ever since I used this toner before my acne products, my skin is not only extra glowy, [but] it [also] feels hydrated with no dry patches! The sensitivity also seems to have calmed down.'
This toner feels like pure water and smells like nothing, so you may be fooled into thinking that there's not much to it. However, it's chock-full of nourishing minerals and made from deep ocean water by Ulleungdo, a South Korean island. That water is known to have a multitude of benefits, including helping with eczema, boosting blood flow, and mild exfoliation.
Key ingredients: Deep sea water, minerals
Size: 3.4 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'It keeps my face moisturized and doesn't dry skin. Highly recommended.'
Galactomyces is a type of yeast sourced from fermented sake, and in this toner, it helps to fortify the skin with vitamins and antioxidants and slightly exfoliate dead skin cells. Reviewers rave about how much more radiant and smooth their skin appears just days after first trying the formula.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, galactomyces, adenosine
Size: 6.76 fl. oz.
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I've been using this product for the past two days only, and my 65-year-old dry skin loves it! The toner has a very pleasant, slight herbal scent that dissipates within seconds of applying. It manages to soothe and tighten my skin at the same time. Very pleased with my purchase.'
Acne-prone skin is irritated skin, which is why harsh exfoliation can do more harm than good—even if your first urge is to try and scrub those blemishes away. This toner both soothes the skin with Centella extract and gently lifts away dead skin cells, setting your skin up for success. The addition of niacinamide means that it has a brightening effect over time as well.
Key ingredients: PHAs, Centella, niacinamide, adenosine
Size: 7.1 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'It looks like water, moves like water, and feels like water…and YET. I've been using this each morning, and I don't understand how it's managed to brighten up my skin when it just seems like water. It's hydrating but not overly so, so it doesn't leave any tackiness after I pat it in. And it's surprisingly soothing. I use it even when my skin seems irritated, and it doesn't negatively affect my skin. No scent, and it layers with other products just fine. It also seems to have helped with my pores! They're less likely to get clogged, inadvertently making them smaller.'
This toner is like the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae—it's not going to drastically improve your skin care routine, but it sure is nice to have. The gel-like formula is enriched with Sulwhasoo's signature ingredient ginger, an anti-aging superstar. With continued use, the toner softens the skin and adds a subtle glow by replenishing moisture every time you apply it.
Key ingredient: Ginseng
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I've only been using this for four days (twice a day), but I've already seen an improvement in the smoothness of my skin, and it does seem more hydrated. I've had no adverse reactions at all despite my skin's tendency to be a little sensitive. It's delivering on its promises so far!'
Comprised of only seven ingredients, this toner keeps things nice and simple. The star of the show is astragalus root extract, a deeply hydrating and nutrient-rich liquid used as the base instead of water. Try pouring it into a spray bottle to create your own refreshing facial spray, or pat a few layers onto your skin.
Key ingredients: Astragalus root extract
Size: 6.8 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I've been an esthetician since 2005, and this is honestly the best I have ever used. I'm on my third bottle. It's so hydrating and refreshing. It's thicker than water, so your skin truly holds on to the toner. It's very calming to the skin as well.'
Women in South Korea love to use toner pads at night, but they also use them before applying makeup as a face mask. Placing a few of these madecassoside-based ones on your forehead and cheeks for a couple of minutes will calm and moisturize your skin, creating an ideal base for any products you put on top.
Key ingredient: Madecassoside
Size: 100 pads
An Amazon reviewer says: 'I am fair-skinned, and my face has a tendency to get red easily. It's not super sensitive, but it can be very reactive, so keeping it calm helps me avoid breakouts and redness. This is nice to use whenever I feel I need a little chill out for my skin. You can swipe it on or leave the pads on, sort of like a mask. It also holds a surprising amount of product on the pad. I can swipe my whole face and neck, shoulders and chest with just one pad. Sometimes, I leave a pad on each cheek and let it sink in. It's cooling as well, so that really helps to take away redness. I haven't bought refills yet, but I like that they offer refills for this product. The container is nice and sturdy, so it's good for reuse. Will be buying refills once I am out!'
Charlotte Cho is the founder of Soko Glam.
Julie Monti is the director of education at Amore Pacific US.
Monti recommends using it right after you cleanse your face, and that seems to be the general rule. 'Follow with your serum, eye cream, and moisturizer,' she adds. Cho, however, says that it can depend on what you want your toner to do. 'Toners are so multi-faceted that they can be used in various parts of your routine. The majority of them are used after cleansing, to prep and hydrate your skin. However, I like to use a cleansing toner as the first step of my cleansing routine to remove my eye makeup,' she explains.
The way you apply your toner will differ based on the type of toner you use. 'For cleansing and exfoliating toners, use a cotton round if your intention is to swipe away impurities like makeup. For hydrating and brightening toners, simply apply in the palm of your hand and tap into the skin,' says Cho.
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Carol Lee consulted Korean skin care experts to learn about the best Korean toners. Lee and beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose also read through countless customer reviews and evaluated each product on their features.
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