11 Best Korean Hydrating Toners for Glowing Skin

Do you feel that toners are a waste of money and that you’re better off without one? Here’s why facial toners are essential and why you should include one in your regimen ASAP.  

 “Is a face toner really necessary?”— this is a common question that is asked about skin toners and many people think it’s a skippable step in their skincare routine. If you’re one of them, you’re missing out on huge benefits of what this incredible liquid can offer you.

Face toners have received a bad reputation in the past few decades. When most people think of toner, they are used to thinking about the old fashioned version—which contains high levels of alcohol or witch hazel that are too harsh for the skin. Today, toners are no longer just astringents which cause dryness, stinging or a burning sensation.

In Korean skincare, toners play positive roles that get your skin to glow from the inside out. Some of them are not just for hydrating but also designed to target an array of skin concerns, such as excess oiliness, redness, and acne breakouts.

This article we’ll explain what toners do for skin and why it’s a vital part of your daily face care routine for a healthy, dewy complexion.

What is a face toner and what does it do?

Facial toners are typically water-based liquids that help remove any last trace of excess oil, makeup, or residue thats stuck in pores, prepping the skin for the next step of your regimen.

In other words, they’re the in-between skin care product for the final stage in cleansing, but before applying your essence, serum or moisturizer. 

Is a toner really necessary?

Many people tend to omit a toner especially in the AM skincare routine, but once you find the right one for your skin type, using toner is a great way to get enviable, radiant skin. 

A good toner helps in restoring the skin’s pH level, boosting hydration, calming irritated skin or reducing the appearance of blackheads and enlarged pores. 

What are the benefits of skin toner? 

Toners can provide numerous benefits for every skin type if you use the right one that fits your current skin conditions. These benefits include:

• Rebalancing the pH level of your skin
• Clearing away stubborn makeup and debris after cleansing
• Visibly reduce the appearance of pores
• Exfoliating dead skin cells
• Soothing redness and irritation
• Controlling excess oil and decongesting pores
• Boost hydration and nutrients
• Help improve the absorption of other products
• Keeping the blackheads away
• Improving minor breakouts and blemishes

When and how to use face toner?

Facial toners should be applied at the last step of cleansing by using cotton pads or your (clean) hands, as it removes any remaining dirt or product residue which may be stuck in your pores after (double) cleansing.

The double cleansing method means you wash your face in two steps, first by using oil-based cleanser and followed by a water-based cleanser for a thorough wash. When you do the 10-step Korean skin care routine, the exfoliator comes right before applying the toner.

After applying the toner, you don’t need wash it off— just let it sit on the skin for a little bit so that it can be soaked up fully or if you’re using your fingertips, press it into your face for better absorption. In general, toners can be used twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. 

Do men need to use a skin toner?

It’s a common assumption that a toner is just for women, especially for those who wear makeup daily. The truth is that adding the right toner can take a man’s basic skin care routine to the next level. 

Here’s why — in fact, men tend to have more oily skin types and are at a higher risk of acne breakouts and those skin types are the one who can benefit the most out of using a toner.

Men’s facial toners offer various benefits, from removing left-over grime, balancing skin pH, unclogging and tightening pores, to improving skin tone and texture. 

10 Hydrating Face Toners for Every Skin Type 

Huxley Secret of Sahara Toner Extract It

Infused with more than 90% naturally derived ingredients, this pH balancing toner helps improve skin’s moisture barrier to prevent dryness and allow better absorption of nutrients in the following steps.

This antioxidant-powered toner is packed with organic Sahara’s prickly pear cactus seed oil and extract and other botanicals, which deliver superior hydration and essential nourishment to the skin, leaving it plump and glowing. 

💘 Check out Huxley Toner Extract It

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner 

Filled with 90% Astragalus membranaceus root extract in place of purified water, this gel-type toner focuses on rebalancing, revitalizing, and replenishing moisture and antioxidants and nutrients to dry, dehydrated, and dull skin. 

Made of 7 gentle ingredients, which makes this low-irritant toner suitable for even sensitive skin types and this product is also free from artificial fragrance, dyes, parabens, alcohol and other harmful chemicals. A great toner for those who like to do the 7 skin method.

*What’s 7 skin method? After cleansing, applying a toner or a lightweight, watery essence seven consecutive times to cure dry, dehydrated skin and give it a glow.  

💘 Check out Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner 

Absorbs quickly into the skin, the base of this calming toner is 80% aloe vera juice, which is a moisturizing agent that works to draw moisture from the air and keep the skin deeply hydrated.

The K-beauty superstar, snail mucin provides healing and brightening benefits whilst salicylic acid works for gentle exfoliation, giving your skin that burst of clarity and radiance it needs.

💘  Check out Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner

Abundant with nutrients and antioxidants, Cosrx’s daily boosting toner is powered with 72.6% of black bee propolis and 10% honey extract that leaves skin softer, smoother, and visibly healthier.

The powerhouse bee propolis boasts anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-septic properties - perfect for both soothing and healing blemished skin.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Skin Toner

Infused with a potent mixture of snail mucin filtrate and a hint of bee venom to hydrate, improves skin texture and repair damaged, scarred skin.

This refreshing toner strengthens and improve your skin's barrier function, protecting skin from harsh environmental factors and helping it retain moisture. Free from harmful ingredients including alcohol, synthetic fragrance and dyes.

💘  Check out Benton Snail Bee Skin Toner

Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner

A mist-type toner contains 82% mineral water from Jeju island, 10% centella asiatica extract and leaf water to soothe, clarify and hydrate skin while providing relief to irritated and sensitive skin.

This soothing toner Helps regain optimum pH balance after cleansing. Great for all skin types including sensitive, acne-prone inflamed red skin.

💘  Check Out Cosrx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner

Olivarrier Dual Moist Toning Lotion pH 5.5

EWG verified and certified Cosmos Organic, this mildly acidic toner is excellent in toning, moisturizing, and protecting the skin.

Formulated with olive-derived squalene, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, and ceramides that lock in moisture and adjust the oil-moisture balance for a supple and comfortable complexion.

This vegan toner is cruelty-free, hypoallergenic that doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, dyes, mineral oil, or alcohol.

💘 Check out Olivarrier pH 5.5 Toning Lotion

Cosrx One Step Moisture Up Pad 

Cosrx’s all-in-one moisturizing pads are presoaked in toner consisting of propolis extract and hyaluronic acid—which acts as a powerful, natural humectant to draw moisture into skin and add extra nutrients to help ward off free radicals. 

Propolis has excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, and anti-fungal properties that is effective in soothing blemishes, acne, and redness. This is a very convenient way to replenish hydration both in your busy morning and lazy night routine.

💘 Check out Cosrx Moisturizing Toning Pads

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Loaded with 50% of three different types of hyaluronic acids including sodium hyaluronate which helps quench the skin’s thirst by acting as a moisture magnet.

Along with powerful humectants, it also contains birch sap, and phyto oligos to restore a moisture-protective barrier, leaving the skin feeling revitalized and well-treated.

Etude House SoonJung PH 5.5 Relief Toner 

This Soon Jung line is a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and low pH formulas that are particularly designed for those looking for soothing, non-irritant, and gentle skincare products. 

This slightly acidic toner uses 97% naturally sourced ingredients including Panthensoside™, which is made of panthenol and madecassoside — great for soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin. Free from potential irritants such as parabens, artificial fragrances, and dyes. 

💘 Check out Etude House Soon Jung pH 5.5 Toner

I’m From Rice Toner

A revitalizing, brightening toner that is infused with 77.78% Yeoju rice extract that targets dullness, dark spots, uneven skin tone, irritation, as well as dry and dehydrated skin.

The nutrient-rich formula contains niacinamide(vitamin B3) and purslane — which is Known as an Asian traditional medicine herb that is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging components.