Facial toners are an essential step in the Korean beauty skincare regimen.
They complete the cleansing process and prepare the skin for exfoliating and moisturizing.
Since most are alcohol-free, there’s no worry that they will cause dryness or irritation.
With a wide variety available, you can choose from the best Korean toner for every skin type.
Today, we’ll review toners made for sensitive, oily, mature, and acne-prone skin.
What is Korean toner, and what can it do for your complexion?
K-beauty toner is what to apply after double-cleansing. It might be a transparent or creamy liquid that you use with cotton, or it may come as pre-saturated pads.
It eliminates any leftover impurities. But that’s not all it does.
The toner moisturizes and offers additional benefits according to skin type.
For example, Korean toners for acne-prone complexions fight bacteria and tighten pores. And those made for oily skin balance sebum production.
Plus, there are advantages for everyone. Natural ingredients like mineral water and plant extracts provide nourishment to keep the skin healthy while facing environmental stressors.
Korean toners also restore the natural acidity or pH. It’s essential to correct the pH level after washing your face because even pure water (with a pH of 7) can wreck the balance.
But the right toner protects against irritation and moisture loss. A proper pH level prevents excess oiliness as well.
Best Korean Toner for Every Skin Type
Let’s review the best K-beauty toners now.
All skin types
Many Korean toners are suitable for all skin types. Even though I’ve grouped them by categories on this page, feel free to view them all to find the perfect match for your complexion.
MEDIHEAL – N.M.F Intensive Hydrating Toner
Whether you have normal, combination, oil, sensitive, or dry skin, this toner promises to improve it.
It was developed by a team of aestheticians and dermatologists to hydrate, smooth, and brighten.
The secret is a patented formula called NMF. It stands for “Natural Moisturizing Factor.”
The essential ingredients include lipids and amino acids, minerals, peptides, and organic humectants. They keep the skin supple and dewy fresh.
After all, that’s the whole point of the Korean beauty regimen – to maintain your complexion as young as possible.
COSRX One Step Moisture Up Pad
The best Korean toner for large pores is suitable for all skin types. It comes as a pre-saturated pad.
Not only will it remove residue, but it also exfoliates dead skin with betaine salicylate to unclog pores. As a result, blackheads shrink and disappear over time.
Then, it moisturizes with hyaluronic acid and propolis extract.
Finally, it evens out skin tone and brightens the complexion with lemon and bergamot.
Dry skin
Whether your skin is naturally on the dry side, or if it’s struggling to cope with acne medication and harsh weather, these toners will rejuvenate it.
TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner
The best Korean toner for sensitive, dry skin is fortified with ceramides.
This crucial component is found in healthy skin, but lacking in dry and sensitive skin. It forms a natural barrier against moisture loss and infection.
Next, the toner boosts hydration with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best humectants on Earth as it holds up to 1000 times its own weight in water.
Happily, this product uses EWG Green ingredients that are safe for both humans and the planet.
Also, you can enjoy it in a variety of ways. Apply it quickly with a cotton pad, or soak a dry sheet mask and wear it for 10 minutes for intense moisturization.
You can even spritz it on to refresh your face during the day.
[THEFACESHOP] Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Facial Toner
This creamy toner features ceramide, rice extract, and rice bran oil. It absorbs surprisingly fast, leaving the skin silky smooth.
Then, the blend exfoliates and whitens the complexion to diminish discoloration like acne scars.
Happily, the ceramide comes from a plant source. Plus, there are no parabens, mineral oil, or talc in the bottle.
MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence
Dry skin benefits from exfoliation as it removes the dead cells and allows moisture to penetrate better.
But what kind of exfoliant can you use on sensitive skin?
The answer is lactic acid. It doesn’t strip moisture, and it’s not as harsh as other alpha or beta hydroxy acids.
Alongside this gentle exfoliator, it has cica enzyme and Pearl reef and rice extracts. They promote healing and brighten skin tone.
Besides that, the toner is made with a special fermenting technique that helps the skin utilize it more effectively.
It helps the skin feel comfortable under makeup. It also defends against environmental aggressors.
Banila Co Dear Hydration Toner
Regular tap water can throw your skin’s pH balance out of whack. But this toner has a trademarked Urban Water Guard System.
It fixes the pH level while it removes impurities.
It has no parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, or phthalates. Instead, it’s infused with delicious natural extracts like peppermint, holy basil, and neem leaf.
These help stressed skin recover while they fade discoloration.
Moreover, fermented lotus and flower water refresh and hydrate.
AHC Toner Aqualauronic Hydrating Skin
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a glowing complexion with plump, healthy skin?
Then, you need to try this Korean facial toner. It’s enriched with three types of hyaluronic acid to ensure every cell gets all the moisture it needs.
Hydrated skin is supple and smooth. It can better withstand the daily challenges like long-wear makeup, pollution, and bad weather.
The formula also has a refreshing burst of French seawater and ceramides.
Pat it on with a cotton pad to prepare your face for the long day ahead.
Nature Republic Toner Emulsion
In my experience, Nature Republic is the smart choice if you’re on a budget.
This set includes two bottles: both toner and emulsion. Apply the toner first, then the emulsion after washing your face.
They keep the skin moisturized for 24 hours with olive leaf extract and vitamin E. Those ingredients don’t just heal dry skin, but they also fight premature aging.
Cosrx Galactomyces Toner
Skip the alcohol and try the fermented yeast.
Seriously, this toner uses fermented Galactomyces to exfoliate and brighten the complexion.
Use it twice a day to revive dull skin.
[SECRET KEY] Milk Brightening Toner
Here’s another toner with no alcohol, no parabens, and no other chemical preservatives, either.
It whitens and moisturizes the skin with natural ingredients like fermented yeast, pomegranate, milk protein, and botanicals. There are 15 kinds of extract in total.
Apply it to a cotton pad and wipe after cleansing, or wear it as a mask for intensive treatment. In either case, regular use leads to more lustrous skin.
Sensitive skin
It’s wonderful how many Korean toners are suitable for sensitive skin. Most don’t contain alcohol or other harsh ingredients.
ISNTREE Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner
Don’t put chemicals on your face – you don’t need them to look beautiful.
This toner is free from parabens, phenoxyethanol, alcohol, artificial colors and fragrances, formaldehyde, and even essential oils.
It’s ideal for sensitive skin as it contains only EWG-verified ingredients. It’s also been tested by dermatologists.
Feel free to use it on sensitive, acne-prone, oily, or combination skin. It doesn’t clog pores or feel greasy.
Enjoy it after shaving to soothe away irritation.
Plus, the moisturizing effects last up to 24 hours.
[KLAIRS] Supple Preparation Facial Toner
KLAIRS is a go-to brand for users with sensitive complexions.
This calming toner sinks in fast, moisturizes, and balances the pH level. It has a serum-like texture that feels pleasant on the skin.
Furthermore, it’s made from scientifically proven ingredients like hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, and beta-glucan.
Combination skin
Taking care of combination skin is less complicated when you use a Korean toner.
Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin
The best Korean toner for combination skin is excellent because it reduces shine, and it’s not drying.
The lightweight liquid leaves no residue, yet it moisturizes dry cheeks.
It’s based on fresh green tea harvested on Jeju Island. The minerals and amino acids from the plant help the skin retain water.
At the same time, it calms oil production to mattify the complexion.
What’s more, it’s free from parabens, artificial dyes, formaldehyde releasers, and animal ingredients.
Etude House Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner
They call it a “facial freshener” because it boosts moisture retention. It’s a toner that also fights signs of aging by providing collagen to firm the skin.
Meanwhile, it shrinks and tightens pores.
Users say it helps clear up breakouts and leaves their skin soft, never sticky. Just a little bit of toner covers the entire face.
Mature skin
Those with mature skin aren’t just battling wrinkles. They’re likely to find that their complexion has become unbalanced with more visible pores. It’s also common to develop combination skin with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.
Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Toner
The best Korean toner for mature skin has snail mucus in it.
Even if you’re not a fan of slime, you can relax. It won’t leave a sticky film behind.
Instead, it forms an invisible layer to lock in hydration and minimize fine lines.
It won’t trigger excess oil, either, as it exfoliates and unclogs pores. It’s the ideal solution for aging, combination skin.
Happily, it has no fragrance, and it’s paraben-free.
KLAVUU WHITE PEARLSATION Revitalizing Pearl Treatment Toner
Whether it’s from acne scars or sun damage, many people deal with hyperpigmentation at some point.
That’s where this toner comes in handy. It corrects discoloration with pearl extract and niacinamide.
But that’s not all – it also offers sunscreen and doubles as a primer for underneath makeup. It’s a smart choice if you’re doing skip care instead of the full K-beauty regimen.
Sadly, it’s not paraben-free.
Oily skin
If you’re tired of your makeup melting off by midday, you need one of these Korean toners for oily skin.
SKIN FOOD Peach Sake Toner
No, it’s not alcohol-free. It also has artificial colors and a fragrance. Therefore, I’d be reluctant to recommend it for sensitive skin.
On the other hand, it has an enormous fan base with oily complexions. Or should I say, less oily complexions because they’re using this product.
The formula reduces excess sebum and shrinks visible pores. As a result, it mattifies the skin throughout the day.
Furthermore, it’s based on peaches and Japanese wine, packed with vitamins that reverse environmental damage.
Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Toner 2X
Although it has no parabens, this toner has alcohol and a light fragrance. But don’t let that stop you because there are plenty of benefits.
For one, it features Sebum Control Technology. Just like it sounds, it keeps the skin clean and fresh by managing excess oil.
With actual volcanic ash in it, it’s made to remove residue left over after cleansing. Therefore, users recommend shaking it before applying it.
Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Peel away dull skin to reveal a healthy complexion. This toner blends both types of hydroxy acid to remove dead cells and excess oil.
Use it daily in the place of scrubs and other harsh treatments. It will clarify the complexion and minimize blackheads over time.
The active ingredients include willow bark, glycolic acid, and apple water.
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
If I left off this toner, loyal K-beauty fans would be offended. It’s a best-selling cult favorite touted by beauty bloggers around the world.
It features three kinds of chemical exfoliants that speed up the skin’s natural regeneration. It also has tea tree to calm inflammation and clear up pimples.
With a pH of 5.5, it protects sensitive skin. What’s more, it has no artificial color or fragrance, no parabens, and no alcohol.
There is one thing you should know, however. This toner is potent, and it may aggravate acne for a while until the pores are purged.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling to achieve the results you desire, try a Korean toner.
Not only will it improve how you cleanse your skin, but it also boosts moisture and balances oil production.
It’s an essential step that enhances all of the other skin care that you perform.