Korean Toner

Everything to Know about Korean Face Toners

An essential part of anyone’s beauty regimen, toners are typically the second step in the skin care routine after cleansing. All skin types benefit from using Korean skin care toners. Toners help balance skin’s pH, boost skin hydration and remove makeup or cleanser residue on face post-cleanse. It doesn’t end there. Many modern Korean toners are essence toners formulated with unique ingredient blends or textures to cater to different skin needs. For example, an essence toner formulated with anti-aging ingredients like fermented black rice and snail mucin improves elasticity and helps manage skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles. A soothing toner containing centella asiatica leaf water or lavender extract provides relief to irritated skin. A moisturizing toner amped up with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid delivers intense moisture to dehydrated skin. Exfoliating and cleansing toners rich with natural AHAs tackle dead skin cells, acne and an oily T-zone.

Read on to discover different types and ways to use toners, and some of the best Korean toners available at YesStyle.

How to Use a Korean Face Toner

The main functions of a face toner are to rebalance skin after cleansing, remove any trace of cleanser or makeup, and prep skin for the forthcoming products in your routine. Ask any Korean makeup artists, and they’ll tell you that toner is an important step for skin care and makeup prep. Applying a Korean toner can be as simple as directly patting it onto face with your hands, or wiping a cotton pad soaked in toner across your face. When applying an exfoliating toner formulated with key ingredients such as AHA (like glycolic acid) and BHA (like salicylic acid), it would be better to use the latter method. Soak a cotton ball or pad with toner, and wipe across face to gently exfoliate skin and remove debris. Exfoliating Korean toners suit those with skin issues such as buildup of dead skin cells, clogged pores and uneven skin texture. An exfoliating toner may not be suitable for daily use, especially for those with sensitive skin. To prevent skin irritation, always refer to the toner product labeling for recommended usage and application method, and check whether the ingredients are suitable for your skin type and concerns.

Korean skin care brands have developed many different innovative versions of essence toner. As the functions evolve, the application methods have broadened too. Non-exfoliating Korean toners can also be used as toner masks for deep hydration and other skin benefits. Simply soak cotton pads with essence toner and leave the pads on your face like a sheet mask.

Many K-Beauty brands offer pads pre-soaked in essence toner for convenient application. Korean toner pads come in various forms, formulations and textures for different functions. Cleansing toner pads with exfoliating ingredients often come as dual-sided pads, so you can cleanse, hydrate and nourish skin with the smooth side, and gently exfoliate skin with the embossed side. There are also many non-exfoliating pads that come in non-irritating soft material drenched in toner essence for you to simply swipe or place on face. Due to the diverse functions and active ingredients of Korean toner pads, it’s best to follow the instructions on the product labeling for recommended usage and application method.

What is the 7-Skin Method?

In Korea, many different toner application methods have emerged in recent years and one of the techniques that went viral on social media is the “7-skin method.” This type of Korean treatment for skin involves layering your choice of toner on cleansed face seven times to enhance the hydrating care and other effects associated with the product. When trying this Korean skin care routine, you can use one type of essence toner or different types of toner to reap more benefits.

Best Korean Toners from Popular K-Beauty Brands

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

Hailed as a skin care holy grail, this much-loved Korean toner is capable of boosting skin hydration while alleviating flare-ups. Containing a high concentration of heartleaf extract and centella asiatica extract, the Anua heartleaf toner instantly calms skin irritation. Glycerin, panthenol and burdock root extract provide hydrating and skin barrier care to promote soft and supple skin. The non-comedogenic formula is safe to use on all skin types including acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. If you prefer the convenience of Korean toner pads, go for the Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad pre-soaked in the Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. Another popular toner from Anua is the Peach 77 Niacin Essence Toner.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water

Great for those with mature skin, this popular Korean essence toner delivers hydrating care while reducing fine lines and wrinkles with key ingredients such as ginseng root water, ginseng complex, sodium hyaluronate and adenosine. The Beauty of Jeoseon toner contains 2% niacinamide to even skin tone and neutralize dullness. Free of parabens, mineral oils and artificial fragrances, the vegan toner is gentle on skin.

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Are you dealing with clogged pores, acne, blackheads or uneven skin texture? Packed with exfoliating ingredients like betaine salicylate (a type of BHA), this Korean facial toner from COSRX purifies pores, rids skin of blackheads and smooths skin. Besides gentle exfoliation, the COSRX toner features niacinamide, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate to support the skin barrier and leave skin smooth and radiant. The low pH and fragrance-free solution is perfect for those with acne-prone and oily skin. COSRX offers other soothing, hydrating and cleansing toner options, including the Hydrium Watery Toner ideal for dry skin types and the Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner, an essence toner packed with propolis extract for radiant skin.

Haruharu WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner Fragrance Free

Part of Haruharu WONDER’s signature line harnessing the power of fermented black rice, this essence toner firms and improves elasticity of skin with antioxidant-rich black rice extract as well as ginseng extract. Hydrating ingredients hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan provide intense moisture to promote plump and radiant skin. Free of fragrance, alcohol and essential oil, the essence toner is safe for sensitive skin. There is also an original scented version of the Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner that includes essential oil. Besides toner, Haruharu WONDER’s Black Rice line includes face cream, ampoule, essence and eye cream.

I’m from Rice Toner

Enjoy the many benefits of Korean rice on skin with this beauty favorite that is consistently among the bestselling Korean toners at YesStyle. The deeply hydrating Rice Toner is formulated with 77.8% goami rice extract to fade pigmentation and soften rough skin texture while perking up tired skin. Other key ingredients such as rice bran extract, adenosine, heartleaf extract and niacinamide deliver soothing and anti-aging effects. Free of fragrance and alcohol, the essence toner comes in a milky texture that prevents dry skin.

Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, go for a toner formulated with astringent, sebum-absorbing powers like this Korean face toner packed with green tea ingredients. Tannin-rich green tea helps to remove impurities and excess oil on skin while delivering antioxidant benefits. Infused with 80% Jeju-sourced green tea and combined with Anti Sebum P, the Isntree toner regulates sebum production and provides pore care. Infused with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan, the watery green tea toner is also a moisturizing toner that provides deep hydration and a refreshing finish with no sticky residue. The hypoallergenic product is suitable for oily, combination and sensitive skin types.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Formulated with astragalus root extract, butylene glycol and arginine, Pyunkang Yul’s Essence Toner uses minimal ingredients for maximum benefits. Astragalus root extract, or milkvetch root extract, contains isoflavonoids that offer antioxidant effects to protect and improve skin condition. Recommended for combination and dry skin types, this essence toner is deeply hydrating and works to nourish and revitalize skin.

SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

This cult-favorite SOME BY MI toner features a powerful blend of AHA, BHA and PHA to remove dead skin cells, combat acne and even out skin texture, while being gentle enough for sensitive skin. Promising to do wonders for skin in 30 days, the Korean face toner also contains sodium hyaluronate for hydration and tea tree and witch hazel extracts to soothe skin.