If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect and safe toner for your skin, you’ve probably heard about K Beauty toners.
There is a massive hype surrounding Korean skincare.
Have you ever seen their glowy skin with completely even texture?! That’s because Korean skincare regime is on the next level.
I did the hard work for you and carefully checked all those viral and best-selling Korean toners to see which are actually worth the hype!
Here I’m presenting you the ultimate list of the best K beauty toners that are not only effective but also safe and free from irritants!
9 Best K Beauty Toners
My favorite best Korean toners are jam-packed with skin-friendly ingredients, they balance the pH and replenish hydration, which makes the next skincare steps work more efficiently.
Here’s the list of K-beauty toner that I recommend (based on my personal experience):
1. Haruharu Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner (Fragrance-Free)
My verdict: My favorite gentle soothing toner
This is the K-beauty toner that I’ve been using the longest time (at the time of writing this review it’s been already 2 years and I’ve just finished 8th bottle!).
Together with Kaine, it is my favorite toner for my dry & sensitive skin. It is hydrating (although not as much as Kaine), but the thing I love most about it, is its soothing power and how gentle it is.
Why You Will Love It
- Sooooo calming!
It saved my skin so many times. It helped to calm it down when I had bad reaction to hair conditioner, when my rosacea was going wild, when other toner caused stinging, when I had hormonal breakouts… this was my soothing savior.
- Heals broken skin barrier
Whenever my skin gets angry, when I have compromised skin barrier (for example after skin picking) or when I have acne-related irritation, I always go for this toner.
It brings such a relief to irritated skin!
- Zero stickiness
It is a bit viscous, which I love about it, but spreads super nicely and sinks in within few second. It doesn’t leave any film or sticky residue on skin.
Keep In Mind
This toner comes in two versions: one is fragrances, and the other one is scentless and this is the only version that I recommend.
2. Kaine Kombu Toner
My verdict: One of the best Korean toners for skin dryness
This is one of my two favorite toners of all times!
This hydrating toner makes for one of the best Korean toners, especially because it contains skin-loving kombucha.
It keeps the skin hydrated all day long and soothes all kinds of irritation.
It is fragrance-free and does not contain any harmful ingredients, making it one of the best Korean toners for dry & sensitive skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Immediate hydration
It’s just so impressive how quickly this toner hydrates the skin and makes it feel rejuvenated.
It’s just an instant hydration boost!
- It soothes sensitive skin
Probiotics are the best for soothing sensitive skin and strengthening skin barrier. And this is exactly what kombucha in this toner does!
If your skin is constantly irritated, it will finally catch a break and irritation will be a thing of the past with this toner.
It calms broken skin barrier and rejuvenates it!
- Suits all skin types
Even though it’s the best for dry skin, it will also fit combo and oily skin type. And of course it’s tailored to sensitive skin.
Keep In Mind
Remember that fermented skincare is not fungal acne safe.
3. COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
My verdict: Nourishing K-beauty toner for dehydrated and mature skin
Containing 72% Black Bee Propolis extract and hyaluronic acid, this brightening toner keeps the skin moisturized yielding a better skin complexion. It is also known to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
The honey extract in this toner revitalizes the skin, adding a healthy glow while improving skin tone and texture. It is a natural humectant – perfect ingredient for a moisturizing toner.
It will make your dewy skin dreams come true while using natural gentle ingredients.
Why You Will Love It
- Deeply nourishes the skin
Among the advantages, users mention that their skin felt deeply rejuvenated. This is due to propolis, which fights free radical damage and yields healthy glowing skin. This refreshing toner penetrates deeply into the skin to improve elasticity and texture.
- Brightens the skin
What most women loved about this product is that they were finally able to see a difference in their dark spots. Thanks to propolis and Vitamin B!
- Heals acne scars
Another advantage is how it fades acne scars and prevents breakouts.
Keep In Mind
Some users think it might not be hydrating enough for dry skin types.
4. ISNTREE Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus
My verdict: Intensive hydrating toner that boost skin elasticity
The key ingredients are 5 different types of hyaluronic acid and botanical extracts (Centella Asiatica extract, aloe leaf extract, etc.) that soothe, plump, and improve the texture and skin elasticity.
Their patented formula is a 7 plant extract that locks in and retains moisture. With its slippery and dense formula, you can actually feel the moisture penetrating your skin layers.
Why You Will Love It
- Intensive hydration
This extremely hydrating Korean toner leaves you hydrated like no other because it builds moisture layer by layer.
It deeply moisturizes the skin, being the best moisturizing toner for dry skin, as well as combination skin.
- Rejuvenated skin
The hydrating ingredients prevent the loss of moisture and assist the skin with self-regeneration.
Many users claim that using this toner helps to get rid of skin tightness they experience after washing their faces.
Keep In Mind
Hyaluronic acid can cause the skin to dry out if applied to a very dry face after cleansing, drawing hydration from deeper layers.
Always apply hyaluronic acid toner to damp skin, closely followed by a serum/moisturizer to lock in the moisture.
5. Tirit Milk Skin
My verdict: Best selling Korean milky toner
When skincare addicts hear “milky toner” they probably either think about I’m From Rice Toner (which sadly gave me really bad reaction and stinging) or this Tirtir Milk Skin toner!
It is packed with rice bran extract, beta-glucan and cermide NP (which have soothing and hydrating effects), niacinamide (brigthening + oil control) and peptides.
It’s super nourishing and makes skin so soft!
Why You Will Love It
- Delivers REAL hydration
This toner moisturizes the skin and keeps it hydrated for HOURS.
- Oh-so-soft skin
Once it’s absorbed the skin feels silky soft and smooth. It’s such a wonderful feeling.
- Improves dry skin
If your skin feels flaky and dry after cleansing, it will soothe it and provide proper hydration.
- Glass skin
This is really glass skin locked in a bottle. It gives the skin beautiful glow and radiant look.
Keep In Mind
This toner is SO HYPED and people rarely complain about it… Not a lot of people talks about it, but Tirtir toner IS STICKY.
And that stickiness just stays on your skin… I couldn’t accept it in my morning routine, but in PM skincare I don’t mind a bit of tackiness (it gets slightly better once you apply moisturizer on top of it).
PRO TIP: If your skin is more on the oily side, and you don’t want that sticky finish, try the Tirtir Light or go for Beauty Of Rice Milk Toner (my favorite summer milky toner).
6. AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Toner
Mu verdict: Great option for minimizing the visibility of pores and dark spots
This is one of the best Korean toners for hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, post-acne marks and post-inflammatory pigmentation.
It’s also super popular especially among people with oily skin who are trying the Korean skincare routine.
This toner contains 5% niacinamide, squalane, panthenol, some fermended ingredients, willow bark (often seen as gentles alternative to BHA, of course also less potent), ceramide NP and lots of various peptides.
Why You Will Love It
- Forget about dark spots
Niacinamide is a real dark spot banisher! This toner reduces melanin – helping to reduce the visibility of red marks and skin discolorations. It leaves your skin with more even complexion and smoother texture.
- Pore refiner
Niacinamide controls excess oil production, giving a mattifying finish while reducing the pore’s size.
- Optimal hydration for oily skin
If you have oily skin type, this toner will ensure proper hydration level, leaving your skin bouncy and supple.
Keep In Mind
It is not hydrating enough for very dry skin.
Don’t forget to shake it before using as it has two layers that need to be mixed before applying!
7. Thank You Farmer Baku Vita Treatment Toner
My verdict: Awesome toner for well-aging (for people scared of retinol!)
This toner is packed with ingredients that reduce skin aging, especially photo-aging (bakuchiol, vitamin C, adenosine) and fade dark spots (niacinamide).
Bakuchiol is often described as plant retinol – according to studies it gives similar results for reducing signs of aging (wrinkles and fine lines) as retinol, but often feels more gentle on skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Great for slowing down wrinkles
It can be used not only for mature skin, but also to prevent (or slow down) fine lines.
- Reveals healthy skin
Most women who use this skin toner claim that their uneven skin tone, dullness, and skin texture improved with regular use, revealing glowing skin. This facial toner helps to reduce visibility or dark spots, sun spots, scars after acne and other types of hyperpigmentation.
Keep In Mind
Start slowly to see how your skin reacts to actives in this toner.
8. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
My verdict: One of the best Korean soothing toners
Round Lab calming toner lives true to its name. It contains Mugwort which has been known to calm the redness while preventing breakouts.
The anti-inflammatory, calming, and skin-protective Mugwort combats acne-causing bacteria, making it one of the best Korean toners for acne-prone skin types.
Added bonus: Mugwort contains vitamin A that helps with skin renewal, as well as vitamin C that offers brightening benefits.
Another ingredient of this Korean toner, Madecassoside (the active ingredient of the Centella Asiatica plant) helps reduce inflammation while improving skin quality.
Irish moss boosts the moisture content of the skin due to its hydrophilic nature, protecting the skin’s moisture barrier.
Also, this water-based lightweight toner applies easily leaving no residue and layers easily.
Why You Will Love It
Here are some of the benefits of this soothing toner that make it wonderful choice for sensitive skin:
- It soothes skin like no other
Most girls who used this Korean toner raved about its calming properties and being gentle on their skin. It reduces redness and skin irritation. If you have sensitive skin, girl you’re in for a treat!
- It reduces breakouts and acne scarring
According to women who have been using this toner, it is a great pick for people with acne-prone skin.
It helps improve acne scars and eczema and even boosts the production of collagen (thanks to the Centella Asiatica extract), making it the right toner for repairing acne-prone skin.
- Perfect sebum control
It renders the skin supple while removing excess oil. Many individuals with oily skin have reported that it can help control oil production without drying the skin out.
This makes it a great option for people with oily skin.
- Anti-aging benefits
As you may know, antioxidants fight free radical damage, reversing the signs of aging.
Many users reported clearer skin with improved skin texture after using this toner, due to its anti-aging properties.
Keep In Mind
Some individuals with dry skin report that they need to add extra moisture after using this toner, hence this might not be the one for very dry skin.
9. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
My verdict: Best Korean toner for exfoliation
It is one of the best Korean toners easily, if you are looking for an exfoliating toner or want to get this for blackheads and whiteheads. It exfoliates dead skin cells and removes dirt, revealing fresh skin that is ready for the next skincare products.
Some people might be skeptical about the so many acids but rest assured, this toner is perfect for anyone who yearns for clarified skin and wants to reduce blemishes. And it is actually not harsh – suits even sensitive skin!
The glycolic acid (AHA) exfoliates skin with visible clarity and reduces the appearance of fine lines. Whereas salicylic acid (BHA) helps combat excess oil production and decongest pores – helping with reducing blackheads. PHA improves skin tone, while tea tree helps to fight acne and heal pimples faster.
Simply one of the best toners for acne-prone skin and easily clogging pores.
Why You Will Love It
- It exfoliates without drying out the skin
This AHA BHA PHA clarifying toner has earned Some By Mi some loyal fans because it offers gentle exfoliation without stripping the skin’s natural oils.
Some individuals with oily skin rave about their skin feeling instantly refreshed.
- It softens the skin
This exfoliating toner removes dull skin and improves skin texture. It leaves the skin smooth, soft, and glowing.
- It can prevent breakouts
AHA, BHA and tea tree work together to prevent acne and reduce breakouts, hence being suitable for acne-prone skin.
- Bye-bye clogged pores!
Often thought of as the holy grail for women with oily skin, this magical toner controls excessive sebum and removes dead skin cells, blackheads, whiteheads, and other impurities.
Many users claim that this Korean toner minimizes the appearance of skin pores.
Keep In Mind
It contains peppermint oil and it really has this menthol/mint smell. You can get used to it, but in the beginning for me it was a bit annoying.
PRO TIP: Remember that your skin doesn’t need exfoliation every day! Even if labels on toners (or cleansers) with AHAs and BHAs say that you can use them every day, you should not do that. Exfoliation 1-3 times per week (depending on your skin type and concerns) is enough.
If Some By Mi toner is too strong for you, I recommend you Haruharu PHA serum – it exfoliates skin in way more gentle way. It’s really watery, so it feels like toner. I layer it with 2nd, more hydrating, toner.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Korean Toner?
From all of my favorite Korean toners, I choose Haruharu and Kaine as the best toners.
Here are the reasons: they are both soothing and hydrating, and support natural hydro-lipid skin barrier. They helped to relieve my stressed and angry skin so many times, that I simply cannot imagine my skincare routine without them.
What Does Korean Toner Do For Your Face?
Depending on the skin type, Korean Toner can prep your skin, deliver adequate moisture, combat dry skin, balance skin’s pH level, protect the skin barrier from harsh cleansing, and maximize absorption of the next product(s).
Depending on what your toner contains, it can have soothing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, exfoliating, and nourishing properties.
Korean toners are usually better and safer than their Western competitors, as they are alcohol-free.
What Are The Best Korean Toner Brands?
Some of the best Korean toners belong to:
- Haruharu
- Kaine
- COSRX
- Glow Recipe
- Benton
- Isntree
- Rovectin
- Round Lab
- I’m From (by Wishtrend)
How To Choose A Toner For Your Skin Type
1. Assess Your Skin Type
Identifying your skin type is the first and foremost step to choosing the right toner.
- Normal skin: It is neither too dry nor too oily. Well-balanced skin that appears healthy and has good texture.
- Oily skin: If you have oily skin, it appears greasy with large pores due to excessive oil production.
- Acne-prone skin: This is usually oily skin with greater chances of sprouting pimples and comedones.
- Dry skin: Dry skin has small pores and tends to appear dull and flaky, especially in winter. It is often prone to dry patches, peeling, and redness.
- Combination skin: It has an oily T-zone with large pores on the forehead, chin, and nose. The remaining skin on the face is either normal or dry.
- Sensitive skin: Sensitive skin is more prone to itching, burning, redness, and inflammation.
2. Type Of The Toner
Once you know your skin type, you can find the right toner according to your skin concerns:
- Gentle toner: These work well for sensitive skin. They are gentle on the skin because they are formulated without harsh chemicals.
- Hydrating toner: These provide moisture to dry skin as they are formulated with hydrating and moisture-locking ingredients.
- Refreshing toner: These can work wonders for oily skin, eliminating excess sebum. Mostly they do not contain alcohol since it causes the skin to produce more oil.
- Anti-acne toner: These toners are crafted to help absorb the treatment better while calming irritated skin and redness.
- Refreshing and hydrating toner: If you have combination skin, you can benefit from such toners that refresh and hydrate the skin simultaneously.
How To Use A Toner?
Always start off with a cleansed face.
With clean hands, apply toner on a cotton pad and swipe it on your face, neck, and chest, avoiding the eye and mouth area.
You can also opt for toner spray and simply sprinkle toner on your hands and pat gently on your face.
Follow with serum (optional), moisturizer/cream (must-have).
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority.
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