May 12, 2024beauty skincare

Face Toners: All Your Questions Answered

Face toner is that mysterious middle step in your skincare routine. Do you need it? What does it do? And how do you pick the right one? This guide will answer all your toner questions and introduce you to some of the best Korean toners on the market!

What is a Face Toner?

Traditionally, toners were astringent liquids used to remove leftover cleanser and "balance" the skin's pH after cleansing. These days, toners have evolved into multi-tasking marvels. Modern face toners can:

Remove leftover impurities: Even the best cleansers might leave behind traces of makeup, sunscreen, or pollution, however, face toners can remove these.

Balance skin pH: While harsh cleansers can disrupt your skin's natural pH balance, toners can restore it, creating an optimal environment for healthy skin.

Hydrate and soothe: Toners are packed with hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, leaving your skin refreshed and plump.

Exfoliate: Some toners contain AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting brighter, smoother skin.

Prep for the next steps: Toners prepare your skin for better absorption of serums and moisturisers.

Do You Need Toner?

The short answer: it depends! Toners are an excellent addition to your routine. But they aren't essential for everyone. Here's a quick guide:

Skip the toner if you have very dry or sensitive skin and your cleanser is gentle.

Consider toner if you have oily or acne-prone skin, wear a lot of makeup, or want to target specific concerns like enlarged pores or dullness.

Picking the Perfect Toner

With toner being such a versatile product, the key to picking the right one is understanding your skin type and concerns. Here's a breakdown:

Dry Skin: Look for hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides, such as J-beauty ROHTO MENTHOLATUM Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.

Oily Skin: Opt for toners with ingredients like witch hazel or niacinamide to control oil and minimise pores, such as SOME BY MI Yuja Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Toner.

Sensitive Skin: Choose alcohol-free, fragrance-free formulas with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or Centella Asiatica, like COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner.

Acne-Prone Skin: Look for toners with BHAs like salicylic acid to unclog pores and reduce breakouts, such as TOCOBO AHA BHA Lemon Toner.

Best Korean Toners

Here are some top Korean toners to consider:

ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner: A gentle, K-beauty alcohol-free toner with 77% heartleaf extract perfect for calming redness and irritation.

SIORIS Time Is Running Out Mist is a hydrating mist toner that contains fermented ingredients and antioxidants to brighten and protect the skin.

BE THE SKIN Pore Zero BHA+ Toner uses BHA to gently exfoliate and minimise pores, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin.

NEOGEN Dermalogy Real Ferment Micro Toner is packed with probiotics to strengthen the skin barrier and improve hydration.

NUMBUZIN NO. 3 Super Glowing Essence Toner is all about achieving a radiant complexion. It brightens, exfoliates, and hydrates the skin as it's packed with Vitamin C and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids)

JUMISO Pore-Rest PHA9 Deep Purifying Facial Toner is a gentle giant for oily or acne-prone skin. The key ingredient, PHA (polyhydroxy acid), offers several benefits as it removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores.

BENTON Deep Green Tea Toner offers a calming and refreshing experience for all skin types. Green tea extract has anti-inflammatory properties that calm irritation and redness.

NACIFIC Fresh Herb Origin Toner is a multi-purpose toner formulated to be gentle and effective for all skin types. This formulation is gentle enough for even sensitive skin types, reducing the risk of irritation.