If you’ve jumped on the Korean skin care trend (which isn’t really a “trend” as it is centuries old!), then you’re probably doing 5 or 10-step Korean Beauty routine every day. Which means, in addition to a cleanser, moisturizer and face mask, you need an effective hydrating toner, too.
If you’ve struggled with sensitive skin that is easily irritated your whole life, Korean skincare might be the answer for helping you get smooth, glowing skin you’ve been dreaming of.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 6 best Korean toners for sensitive skin types that I had an opportunity to try – and they all suited my sensitive really well without any redness, dryness or breakouts.
If you’d like to see my ultimate list of the best toners for every skin type in 2024 (not only for sensitive type), check out this article.
6 Most Gentle & Safest Korean Toners For Sensitive Skin
Here are the best Korean toners for sensitive skin types. But because not all people who struggle with sensitive skin have also dry, flaky skin, you’ll find here the best Korean toner for oily skin or acne prone skin, too.
These are the safest and most gentle, non-irritating toners from the K-beauty market.
PRO TIP: If you have sensitive, irritated skin or compromised skin barrier, you need to adjust your whole beauty routine. Gentle toner is one step, but it’s also very important to follow up with proper moisturizer. Here you can see my ranking of the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin >>
1. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner For Sensitive Skin
My verdict: Overall best toner for sensitive skin
It’s no secret that I like this Korean Skincare brand. Haruharu skincare products feature the natural benefits of rice, are vegan and free of parabens, mineral oils and other unwanted chemical ingredients.
This Haruharu Black Rice Toner features hyaluronic acid and the power of rice extract, making it the best Korean toner for sensitive skin, no matter if your skin is on the dry or oily type. If your skin gets easily irritated or you have reactions, then choose this facial toner with its hypoallergenic formula.
Why You Will Love It
- Improves skin elasticity
Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid are known to improve elasticity and helps with collagen production in the skin. These two ingredient stars make this not only one of the best Korean toners for super dry skin, but also for aging skin.
- Soothes flare-ups
I can’t even count how many times this toner calmed down my irritated, angry skin in the past 2 YEARS (yes, I’ve already emptied 8 bottles!).
Whether it’s acne-related irritation, broken skin barrier from skin picking or bad skin reaction to hair conditioner (yep, it happened to me) – Haruharu toner has been my savior.
Besides, it’s proven to have anti-inflammatory benefits!
- Improves skin texture
For friends dealing with skin concerns like dark spots, the fermented black rice reduces pigmentation for more even skin tone and smoother complexion.
Keep in mind
This K-beauty toner also comes in two versions: fragrance-free (which I’m reviewing here) and a beautifully scented version (which is not so suitable for sensitive skin).
If you have a very delicate skin, make sure you choose the unscented facial toner when shopping.
2. Kaine Kombu Toner
My verdict: Most hydrating Korean beauty toner for sensitive skin
This toner (together with ampoule from the same line) has been my biggest discovery in 2024.
I didn’t know that my skin will love drinking kombucha that much! And that it has so many benefits for skin.
It’s a real treat for irritated skin, with its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
This toner helps to keep skin supple and bright, without added fragrances or other nasties that could irritate sensitive skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Simple, soothing ingredients
Don’t you just love a short ingredients list? This one is short and sweet, with 60% fermented black tea as the main ingredient, plus 1% panthenol (hello soothing!) and a few types of hyaluronic acid that attract moisture and help to heal rough, itchy skin.
I’ve been using this toner for 6 months (almost done with 2nd bottle) and it’s been an essential whenever I have compromised barrier after skin picking, when acne hits back and my skin freaks out, or when my skin feels sensitized.
Kaine Kombu simply feels like a loving, soothing hug.
- No added fragrances
Sensitive skin types should always reach for fragrance-free products, and this simple skin toner soothes skin and helps clean out skin pores without risking irritation due to added chemicals.
- Soooo hydrating!
My skin is on the dry side, but get this: sometimes when I apply this toner in my PM routine I forget to apply moisturizer afterwards!
It already happened to me few times that I realized I skipped my night cream but my face was feeling so hydrated, plump and supple, with just one layer of this kombucha toner!
As someone who struggled with dry patches the whole life, this is incredibly impressive that a toner can so SO HYDRATING!
Keep In Mind
Remember that fermented ingredients are not recommended for fungal type of acne.
3. Beauty Of Joseon Glow Replenish Rice Milk Toner
My verdict: Best Korean toner for sensitive & oily skin
This is my favorite milky toner – which I recommend for oily skin or normal/dry skin during summer!
Before I tried this toner, I didn’t have that wonderful experience with Korean milky toners. I’m From Rice Toner sadly caused purging, stinging, redness and gave me itchy bumps.
Tirtir Milk Toner, although super moisturizing, annoys me with its stickiness.
I guess third time’s a charm, right?!
This Korean toner features the power of rice extract to hydrate and keep skin soft. In contrast to I’m From Rice toner, it doesn’t contain niacinamide. I know lots of people like this ingredient for its brightening properties, but for my skin it’s so easy to overdose it (did you notice it’s in almost EVERY skincare product?!).
Why You Will Love It
- Boosts skin barrier
Its formula is ideal for replenishing your natural skin barrier. All thanks to rice extract, glycerin and panthenol.
- Power of rice
Ahh, the benefits of rice! Korean toners that feature rice extract are known to offer a soothing effect, be naturally anti-inflammatory, improve skin elasticity and offer anti-aging benefits with continued use.
Those with sensitive skin and a dry skin type should stick with the best Korean toners that feature the skin-healing power of rice for beautiful, supple skin.
- Super lightweight
Usually milky toners are viscous and thick, but this one is almost watery!
And that’s why it is an oily skin’s best friend. It offers just enough hydration, without feeling heavy or tacky.
Keep In Mind
I love using this toner during summer, when my dry skin type becomes more normal. Then it’s is hydrating enough. However, during winter I’d have to layer it with another toner because it wouldn’t be enough. But for oily skin it would be!
4. Sioris Drops Of Omija Calming Mist
My verdict: Most convenient Korean toner for sensitized skin with blemishes
Don’t you just love toners in spray bottles? They are so convenient to use!
I love mists particularly in summer to give my thirsty skin hydration boost throughout the day.
Mist is also a fantastic option to use right before reapplying your sunscreen or using sunstick.
And Sioris mist is your best choice, if your skin is on the sensitive side.
Why You Will Love It
- Simple formulation with only soothing ingredients
Its short ingredient list features only skin-healthy ingredients, no added fragrances, colors or nasty preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin.
It has 34% of Omija extract (it boost skin’s elasticity and reduces signs of aging), 2% Centella extract, aloe, glycerin and beta-glucan.
That’s just a powerful calming combo.
- Helps to battle breakouts
It contains zinc – which is well know for its benefits for acne skin.
- Smooth & soft skin
I just love how my skin feels silky soft, one this mist is fully absorbed.
Keep In Mind
It doesn’t have added fragrance, but has distinct sweet & herbal scent. I actually enjoy it, and because it’s all natural it doesn’t trigger my skin, but I know some sensitive noses may be less pleased.
5. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
My verdict: Fantastic K-beauty toner for sensitive skin & acne
For friends with acne-prone skin who are dealing with redness and breakouts, allow me to introduce Mugwort.
No, it’s not something out of the Harry Potter books, it’s a real plant (also called wild wormwood, chrysanthemum weed, common artemisia, and French tobacco).
As an edible tea, mugwort has been used for centuries to help with menstrual issues and digestive problems. As a facial toner it prevents breakouts and minimizes pores, making it the best choice for oily or acne-prone skin types.
Why You Will Love It
- High amount of mugwort
Each bottle contains 10,000 parts per million (ppm) of mugwort (labeled as Artemisia Vulgaris Extract in the key ingredients). Mugwort not only helps calm skin, but is also controls oil production – perfect for oily skin.
- Naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
If you are facing acne-prone skin, you know how important it is to use ingredients that are anti-bacterial, and this is. It wipes away dead skin cells that could lead to breakouts without being harsh on your skin.
- Madecassoside
This fancy-sounding name is for a purified, powerful form of centella extract. It calms irritated skin and leaves you with a smooth canvas for your next skincare step: moisturizer.
Keep In Mind
This Korean toner has a formula with more ingredients than other products on my list.
Some of the chemicals are really beneficial (like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, which helps regulate sebum production for clear skin).
Don’t knock it just because you don’t recognize all the names, but also know your skin type and what your sensitive skin can handle.
6. ONE THING Hyaluronic Acid Complex
My verdict: Best Korean facial toner for sensitive & aging skin
More than a toner, ONE THING Hyaluronic Acid complex has a plethora of skin benefits, from reducing fine lines, to deeply hydrating dry skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Multipurpose
This is more than a toner, you can add it to your skin serums or mix with a face mask to get more skin benefits and keep your skin hydrated.
- Super moisturizing
Of all the best Korean toners on this list, this one, full of hyaluronic acid is the most moisturizing. It is incredible for dry skin.
- Skin tightening and plumping
Hyaluronic acid is praised for its ability to increase skin firmness and make skin appear fuller, plumper, too(which is awesome for reducing wrinkles).
Keep In Mind
I love that the product has so few ingredients, but advertising as “single-ingredient’ or only containing “one ingredient” is misleading.
Here is full ingredients list: Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water.
Almost all the ingredients are humectants (which attract and retain water to keep skin hydrated), which is amazing. But I wish they wouldn’t suggest it’s a “one ingredient” product.
PRO TIP: Make sure to always apply this toner on damp skin, otherwise hyaluronic acid will attract moisture from deeper layers of the skin, making your skin actually… drier!
Final Verdict: Which Korean Toner Is Best For Sensitive Skin?
While all of these best Korean toners are wonderful choices if you’re dealing with reactive skin, I think the best Korean toner for sensitive skin is Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Toner in fragrance-free version.
The simple ingredients list makes it a winner basically for all skin types. I’ve been using it for 2 years and it’s been always working magic for my sensitive skin and rosacea.
Korean Toner For Sensitive Skin – FAQ
What’s the biggest difference between Korean toners for sensitive skin and traditional toners?
Many basic toners made by American brands are quite drying on the skin. That’s why I recommend using a hydrating Korean toner for healthy skin.
Should People With Sensitive Skin Use Toner?
Using a toner is part of a multi-step skincare routine. It helps to prep skin to receive moisturizers after a good cleanse. If you have sensitive skin it’s a good idea to use a hydrating toner to:
- Prep your skin to retain moisture when you add a moisturizer as the next step in your skin routine.
- Calm the skin and reduce irritation. Over time, it can help improve skin tone and texture.
A toner helps remove impurities and excess dirt that your facial cleanser may have left behind. This way you don’t risk clogged pores when you add a hydrating cream or night-time moisturizer on your skin.
What Type Of Toner Should I Use For Sensitive Skin?
The best Korean toners are alcohol-free and fragrance-free, too. Choose a skin toner that will protect skin’s natural barrier, and if you have sensitive skin it should be hypoallergenic and contain ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties, too.
If you are dealing with sensitive skin or other skin concerns, you want a gentle, refreshing toner that doesn’t disrupt skin’s natural oils, nor is too heavy as the next step in a Korean skincare routine is moisturizer.
Best Ingredients For Sensitive Skin
1. Kombucha – ideal for all skin types, including combination skin and hypersensitive type. Its soothing properties are incredible!
2. Mugwort – if you have problems with acne and blemishes.
3. PHA – use if you have oily skin.
4. Centella – perfect for soothing inflamed skin and trading skin irritation for bright, radiant skin.
5. Green tea extract – great for keeping skin fresh and restoring skin’s ph balance if it’s been thrown out of wack by products that are causing irritation.
6. Rice extracts – Some Korean toners for sensitive skin feature natural ingredients like rice bran oil or fermented rice extract. Rice is wonderful to treat irritated skin and act as an intensive hydrating toner. Reach for products with rice if you struggle with skin dryness or your sensitive skin is easily irritated.
Ingredients To Avoid If You Have Sensitive Skin
1. Synthetic fragrances – Those with sensitive skin types should choose fragrance-free products, or ones with only natural fragrances occurring.
2. Sulfates – You likely won’t find sulfates in a toner, as they are generally used as a foaming agent, such as in a facial cleanser.
Look at the full ingredients of you facial cleanser for anything ending in ‘sulfate’, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sulfates can throw off your skin’s natural ph balance and contribute to irritated skin or, over time, an uneven skin texture because of a lack of ph balance.
3. Phenoxyethanol – this is a stabilizer found in cosmetics and has been linked to severe dry skin, eczema, and dangerous allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to read the ingredients and avoid this chemical.
4. Essential Oils – not all essential oils are bad for your skin. But be aware that some types of essential oils are not good to use on sensitive, delicate skin.
Particularly, citrus oils like grapefruit, lemon and orange can contribute to dry skin. Avoid these natural ingredients for the best moisturizing toner for sensitive skin.
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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Other pictures: Pictures of One Thing Toner belong to One Thing Brand. Source: https://www.instagram.com/onething_official/
