While the norm is that a toner should be an astringent that removes grime and dirt while balancing the pH, Korean toners work to give the skin instant hydration as the first step after cleansing with a face wash. In the past, “toners were used to ensure there is no trace of makeup left after you wash your face and also to balance your skin’s pH—because in the old days, most of the face washes were soap-based and could be alkaline,” cosmetic chemist Ginger King previously told Vogue.
Even still, esthetician Emma Jin affirms that Korean formulas stand in a category of their own, not to be compared to Western formulas. “[Korean toners] are typically much more hydrating and skin-forward, featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid, fermented extracts, centella asiatica, and rice water,” Jin tells Vogue. “ These formulas are designed to add moisture, not strip it. Meanwhile, a lot of western toners historically leaned on alcohol and astringents, which can compromise your skin barrier over time.”
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Toners
Laneige Cream Skin Refillable Toner & Moisturizer with Ceramides and Peptides
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And that’s not exclusive to toners only, but all of Korean skincare. “K-beauty revolves around nurturing [the skin] barrier–optimizing the hydration within and blocking out pollutants and environmental stressors,” says Dr. Christine Hall, a general practitioner in medical aesthetics. “The whole regime centers around maximizing hydration of the skin or ‘skin flooding’ with product after product aimed at restoring the skin barrier and locking in hydration.”
With that in mind, the best Korean toners make exfoliation and hydration feel more comfortable—shop our 8 favorite formulas below. Consider a few of our favorites, below, many of which were hand-picked by experts.
