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Toners are a product that has taken a step back in the beauty industry for a while. They were regarded as not such a good product to include in your skincare routine. But that was a long time ago. With the help of Korean skincare innovation, toners are making a comeback! I have tried some of the best Korean toners for sensitive skin and reviewed the 10 best ones in their respective categories. If you are someone with sensitive skin, then you will benefit a ton from Korean toners!
Top 10 Best Korean Toner for Sensitive Skin
Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
---|---|---|
Best Overall Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner | Check Price | |
Best Certified for Zero Irritation PYUNKANG YUL Facial Essence Toner | Check Price | |
Best for Improve Skin Texture BENTON Aloe BHA Skin Toner | Check Price | |
Best for All Skin Types TonyMoly Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner | Check Price | |
Best for Soften, Hydrate, and Seal LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer | Check Price | |
Best for Hypoallergenic & Fragrance-Free ETUDE Soonjung pH5.5 Relief Toner | Check Price | |
Best Brightening Milky Toner THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner | Check Price | |
Best for Soothing Toner Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Toner | Check Price | |
Best Balance pH Level Toner Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Check Price | |
Best for Removes Dead Skin ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner | Check Price |
1. Best Overall – Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Hydrating
- Skin Type: All; best for sensitive skin
- Material Type Free: Paraben and alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.08 fl oz. (180 ml)
- Scent: Lavender
Description
Get faster absorption and more hydrating toner from Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner! Reap the benefits from the best Korean toner without all the irritation and fuss!
Features
pH balancer: leaves your skin’s natural pH levels intact
Deep hydration: give your face the hydration it needs to prevent dryness
Natural soothers: keep your skin soothed with natural ingredients
How to use
For toners, you will need to first cleanse your face with a mild cleanser. After patting your face dry, get a cotton round and soak it in water first. Squeeze the excess water from the cotton round and then soak it in the toner. Leave it there for a minute and then directly apply the cotton round on your face in upward strokes all across your face and neck. Leave it to dry for a minute before adding moisturizer, serum, or oil to your skincare routine.
Expert Verdict
When I was reviewing this product, the amount of rave reviews made me a bit skeptical about its benefits. But since using the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner, I can confidently say that all my doubts have been gone! It leaves the skin feeling really soft and hydrated. I noticed my skin was a lot clearer than what my usual cleanser could give. It also has beta-glucan which is great for dry sensitive skin conditions such as eczema! The essential oils are both the best thing for the toner and what could be a bit drying for the skin. The good from the essential oil is that it has licorice extract that gives your sensitive skin a soothing effect. The bad is that it has a bit of fragrance which can be drying for the skin. But overall, it is still the best overall skin toner from Korea!
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Leaves skin feeling soft | Fragrance can be a bit drying |
Great hydration | |
Beta-glucan for eczema | |
Licorice extract for soothing |
2. Best Certified for Zero Irritation – PYUNKANG YUL Facial Essence Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: No irritation
- Skin Type: Best for combination skin
- Material Type Free: Paraben and alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.8 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the benefits of 7 natural ingredients and 50 years of skincare heritage from the Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner!
Features
All natural: no added ingredients
Astragalus root water: more benefits than purified water
Zero irritation: leave your face feeling firm and healthy without feeling any irritation
How to use
For this one which has a bit of a thicker consistency, you will need to apply it with a face mask for the best effect. After cleansing and washing your face, soak either thin cotton pads or a dry face mask in the toner solution. After it has been properly soaked, leave it on your face for 5 to 10 minutes before removing it. Let it dry for 2 minutes before applying any moisturizer or other products.
Expert Verdict
A product that is made from all-natural ingredients is really hard to find. Even with only 7 natural ingredients in the product, the Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner produces mind-blowing effects! The Astragalus root water provides even more benefits than normal purified water used in most toners. It leaves the skin feeling firm and healthy. The natural ingredients are also non-irritating, so you can be sure that your sensitive skin won’t have any problems with this product (unless you are allergic to any of the 7 ingredients on the list). While it does do all of this, it lacks in the hydration department. After a few uses, I could see that my face felt a bit dryer than usual. But still no breakouts and zero irritation.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Skin feels nice and firm | Can be a bit drying; not best for people with extremely dry skin |
Non-irritating natural ingredients | |
Great for sensitive skin |
3. Best for Improve Skin Texture – BENTON Aloe BHA Skin Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Exfoliating
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Fragrance-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.76 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner provides the skin with improved skin texture with also the soothing effect of aloe!
Features
Exfoliating: leaves the skin feeling renewed and healthy
Aloe goodness: soothes your skin
Slightly acidic: matches the pH levels of your face
How to use
After cleansing and washing your face, soak a cotton pad or round in the toner solution. Then apply it on your face with deep upward strokes, making sure to get every corner of the face free of oil and dirt. After using it, let it dry for about 2 minutes before moving to the rest of your skincare.
Expert Verdict
A product that is a toner is supposed to clean your face more effectively. But a product that does that with also exfoliating factors is hard to come by. That is why the Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner works wonders on the texture of your skin! It leaves it feeling renewed again, returning the healthy glow on your face once again. Its watery-gel consistency leaves no residue on your face once it dries up. The aloe in the product is straight from the Jeju Islands of South Korea which has a nourishing and soothing effect on the skin. While it does exfoliate and return a healthy glow to your face, it’s not really brightening. So if you are looking for an exfoliating toner that gives your skin a brighter appearance, then this is not it.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Returns a natural glow to your face | Not a brightening toner |
Leaves no residue | |
Aloe is soothing |
4. Best for All Skin Types – TonyMoly Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Skin barrier
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 17 oz. (500 ml)
- Scent: A slight citrus smell
Description
Get a mochi-like consistency on your face with the TonyMoly Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner! Works great for all skin types, even combination and dry skin!
Features
Ceramides: returns the natural skin barrier on your face
Panthenol: gives your face a deep nourishment
Hypoallergenic: does not cause skin breakouts
How to use
Wash your face with a mild cleanser. Then soak a cotton pad with the toner and apply it directly on your face. You could also use a mist bottle, face mask, or even your hand to apply this product. Do note that you will need to wait for it to dry before applying anything else to your face.
Expert Verdict
When you need something that you can be sure works on all types of skin, you are in luck with the TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner! It provides your skin with a soft and supple mochi-like texture, which means that your face won’t feel tight with this toner. The ceramides provide the skin with a natural barrier while the panthenol and hyaluronic acid provide the deep nourishment and hydration your face needs. The only problem with this product is that it feels a bit greasy after leaving on your face, and doesn’t respond well to other products. So make sure that the toner is fully absorbed on your face before putting anything else on!
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Natural skin barrier | Can leave the face feeling greasy |
Deep nourishment and hydration | |
Skin feels soft as mochi; no tightness |
5. Best for Soften, Hydrate, and Seal – LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer
Specification
- Product Benefits: Toner and moisturizer
- Skin Type: Dry skin
- Material Type Free: Paraben and alcohol-free
- Liquid Volume: 5 fl oz. (150 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the benefits of both a toner and moisturizer in the LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer! Leave your skin feeling soft and hydrated while also providing a barrier for your skin.
Features
White tea leaf water: for extra soothing with rich amino acid
2-in-1: get the benefit of both toner and moisturizer in one
Sealing: Strengthen the skin barrier and seal your face from environmental damages
How to use
This might be a 2-in-1 product but you will be using it in the same way as any other toner. All you will be doing is skipping the moisturizing at the end. Soak a cotton pad in the toner, applying it little by little until it is fully soaked. Then rub the soaked cotton pad on your face in upward strokes, getting all the corners of your face. Make sure to leave it to dry before applying serum or oil on your face.
Expert Verdict
Toners are supposed to clean your face. But when you have a toner that also helps to seal your face with a moisturizing effect, then the LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer is what you need! Not only does it seal your face, but it will also keep it softened and reduce the dullness on your face. The moisturizing effect on your face will also lock it up and prevent any environmental damages from occurring too! The only problem that you might face with this is that it leaves your skin feeling a bit sticky.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Moisturizing | Sticky feeling afterward |
Softens and seals your face | |
Reduces dullness |
6. Best for Hypoallergenic & Fragrance-Free – ETUDE Soonjung pH5.5 Relief Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Hypoallergenic
- Skin Type: All; best for combination skin
- Material Type Free: Fragrance-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.76 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best hypoallergenic toner with the ETUDE Soonjung pH5.5 Relief Toner! Matches your skin’s pH levels and is fragrance-free.
Features
Fragrance-free: no smell when applying on your face
Hypoallergenic ingredients: no allergic reactions
Relieves skin irritation: soothes your face from any existing skin irritation
How to use
The cool thing about this product is that you should keep it refrigerated for 30 minutes before use, especially on sensitive skin. Once you have cleansed your face and left it to dry, take a bit of the product on your palm. Then lightly tap the product on your face, leave it to dry for 1 minute, and then tap your face again. Do this about 3 to 4 times, making sure to let it dry on your face in between the taps. Finally, leave the last application to dry for 3 minutes before applying anything else on your face.
Expert Verdict
Sensitive skin is prone to breakouts from becoming too dry. That is why the ETUDE Soonjung pH5.5 Relief Toner provides a hypoallergenic product that leaves your face feeling soothed and soft to the touch. It is also fragrance-free, which is what causes your skin to become dry. The low pH balance of this product also helps by matching the pH levels of your face to cause little to no breakouts either. The only problem I faced when using this product was that it left my face feeling quite heavy and sticky. It was kind of an uncomfortable feeling to have on your face when you apply too much of the product as it does not totally absorb the skin.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Hypoallergenic | Leaves a sticky feeling on the face |
Fragrance-free | |
Matches face pH levels |
7. Best Brightening Milky Toner – THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Brightening
- Skin Type: Dry and sensitive skin
- Material Type Free: Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone, Ethanol, Triethanolamine, Clofenesin, Color, Fragrance-free
- Liquid Volume: 7.03 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best out of rice toners from the THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner and help brighten your face!
Features
Rice extract: helps to exfoliate and brighten your skin
Non-sticky milk formula: does not feel sticky or heavy on your face
2-in-1 Toner & Essence: can be applied either as a toner or an essence
How to use
This product has two distinct ways of using it. As a toner, you will want to use it with a cotton pad or cotton balls to clean your face thoroughly. As an essence, you will use it by patting it on with your palms about 6 to 7 times, waiting for it to dry in between the pats. Wait for it to dry after applying it.
Expert Verdict
When you get an essence and a toner in one product, it makes it hard to review it. But because the application case for toner and essence is different, reviewing the THANKYOU FARMER Rice Pure Essential Toner was made easy! As a toner, it does really well at cleaning your face thoroughly and helping to brighten your skin almost instantly! Its milky toner nature also does not leave your face feeling sticky either. The rice extract helps to exfoliate all the dead skin on your face while causing no irritation on your face. However, it is still a rice toner and not really an essence. Some faces find it hard to absorb when you are using it as an essence. So be warned about your face feeling a bit sticky, especially if you use it as an essence. I would
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Thorough cleanse of the face | Not a good essence, hard for the face to absorb |
Brightens skin | |
Rice extract helps to exfoliate |
8. Best for Soothing Toner – Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Soothing
- Skin Type: All
- Material Type Free: Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, Benzophenone, Ethanol, Triethanolamine, Clofenesin, Color, Fragrance-free
- Liquid Volume: 8.45 fl oz. (250 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best out of vegan ingredients that will help to soothe your skin with the Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Toner!
Features
Low pH: matches your face pH levels
Vegan ingredients: soothing natural ingredients
Serum-like consistency: easily applicable on the face with fingers
How to use
As this is a much thicker consistency than other toners on the list, it is best to use this product with your hands. So after cleansing your face, you should take a generous amount on your palm and pat it on your face. Wait for it to dry a bit, which is about a minute, then pat it across your face again. Do this at least 5 times to the best toner layering possible. Wait for it to dry before applying anything else on your face.
Expert Verdict
Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Toner is one of those products that has the vegan label which you might be unsure of at first. But trust me, the soothing effects that this provides are truly unmatched! It will get rid of any redness you have on your face and leave your skin feeling soothed with the rice extract. Its milky texture also helps give your face the much-needed hydration it needs too. The low pH levels and the soothing ingredients mean that you can be sure that you won’t have a face that feels irritated. The only downside I faced is that it works more like an essence than a toner really. It provides that lovely soothing toner effect, just not much in the clearing the dirt and oil from your skin.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Soothing | More like an essence than toner |
Hydrating | |
Low pH balance |
9. Best Balance pH Level Toner – Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: pH balance
- Skin Type: Normal and combination
- Material Type Free: Paraben-free
- Liquid Volume: 8.4 fl oz. (250 ml)
- Scent: Flowery scent
Description
The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner gives your face the best pH balance to return combination skin back to normal low pH levels!
Features
Heartleaf extract: leaves your face hydrated with 77% heartleaf extract
Clarified skin: keeps your face clarified and smooth
Oil moisture balance: keeps the level of oil and moisture balanced on your face
How to use
This has a very watery consistency so make sure to apply it with a cotton pad for the best toner effect. After washing your face, soak the toner in a cotton pad and then apply it on your face in upward strokes. Make sure to let the toner dry on your face for a bit before applying moisturizer.
Expert Verdict
The pH levels of your face are hard to maintain. Environmental damages can reduce or increase the pH levels causing dryness, breakouts, and other skin conditions. To restore that, a toner that provides pH balance like the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is exactly what you need! Its natural ingredients leave your face feeling smooth while also restoring the pH levels on your face. It also works great against acne too, making sure you have a reduced appearance of acne on your face with extended use! It does however not moisturize as well as I would have hoped so you will need to pair it up with a moisturizer to get the most out of this product.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Fights against acne | Not really hydrating or moisturizing |
Restores pH levels | |
Smoothens skin |
10. Best for Removes Dead Skin – ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner
Specification
- Product Benefits: Exfoliating
- Skin Type: Sensitive
- Material Type Free: Paraben, alcohol, and fragrance-free
- Liquid Volume: 6.8 fl oz. (200 ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
To help remove the dead skin from your face, try the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner to get the best results!
Features
Exfoliating: removes impurities and dead skin from your face
Quick absorbing: the water-like consistency means it quickly absorbs in the skin
Natural minerals: get the benefit of 74 natural minerals included in the product
How to use
After cleansing your face, apply the toner on a cotton pad or a face mask. For the cotton pad, start wiping your face instantly in upward motions, going over your face several times. For the face mask, leave it on the face for about 10 minutes and then remove the mask.
Expert Verdict
The natural minerals in the ROUND LAB 1025 Dokdo Toner is exactly what you are looking for in an exfoliating toner! The rich minerals act as exfoliants that remove the dead skin, leaving your skin smooth and brightened as a result without any irritation. The panthenol, allantoin, and betaine in the product also help to soothe skin and creates a natural skin barrier to protect it from environmental damage. The only thing that this product lacks is that it is not really good for people that have extremely dry skin that is in need of hydration. It might have hydrating ingredients, but it just isn’t hydrating enough.
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Gently removes dead skin | Not hydrating enough |
Creates natural skin barrier | |
Lightweight and fast absorbing |
What Is a Good Toner for Sensitive Skin?
The best toners for sensitive skin are the ones that won’t leave your skin feeling irritated after using them. Toners use very potent ingredients to help cleanse your face of any dirt, oil, and dead skin. For sensitive skin, the oil-absorbing property is what you need to focus on more than anything else. The next thing you have to look out for are skin-soothing properties. If the toner has chamomile, aloe vera, witch hazel, and vitamin B, you will know those are good for sensitive skin prone to break out.
One thing that is hard to find with a good toner is one with antibacterial properties. These will allow the skin to remove any bacterial impurities that can cause acne breakouts. By removing them from your face, you can be sure that breakouts won’t occur as often on your sensitive skin.
Toners with natural ingredients are what you will need. Most toners have salicylic acid, alcohol, and other drying agents that are not good for your sensitive skin in the long run. They will leave your face feeling really dry and cause even more breakouts. Natural ingredients have hydrating properties which are what you will need in a good toner for sensitive skin. Look out for these properties when you are trying to choose a good toner for your sensitive skin!
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How to Apply Korean Toner On Sensitive Skin?
You can apply Korean toners on your face in many ways, especially for sensitive skin. As these are used to remove impurities from your face, you first need to cleanse your face using either a cleanser or just washing your face. Then let’s move on to the different ways of using a Korean toner.
The first method is probably the most well-known. You simply soak a cotton ball or cotton round in the water and then squeeze out any excess water from it. That way, the toner stays on the surface of the cotton ball and you get the maximum effect of the toner. After soaking in water, you then soak the cotton ball in the toner solution until you see it not soaking in anymore. After that, simply apply the toner on your face in upward motions to help remove any impurities.
You could also use your fingers to use the toner. Some note that this method gives you extra hydration benefits that some toners offer. So first, take a bit of the toner to the back of your hand. Then blend it in there and scoop up on your palm and apply it on your face by patting it on. For fingers, you don’t want to aggressively rub the toner in your face. Just patting it on will work fine.
Then there is the cool face mask method of applying a toner. You simply take a dry face mask and slightly soak it in the toner and then leave it on your face for 10 minutes. This gives a deeper clean and great hydration. The final method is only for toners that have a water-like consistency. Mix water and toner in a mist bottle and then spray it on your face, patting it on with your palm.
The best method to apply a toner is still the cotton ball one because it will help to get rid of the impurities your cleanser couldn’t and is much easier than all the other methods.
FAQs
1. Is toner good for sensitive acne-prone skin?
Toners are good for sensitive acne-prone skin because how it helps to clean the face completely and balances the acne-creating bacteria on your face.
2. Is it OK to use face toner every day?
If you have an oily face, it is best to use toners every other day. If you have dry or combination face, I would advise you to use a toner once or twice a week at most. Toners are too drying to be used every day!
3. Can I apply sunscreen after toner?
Yes, you can! Make sure that after you use your toner, you let it completely absorb on your face before putting on the sunscreen. In fact, it will also keep the toner safer in the sun!
4. Should I refrigerate my face toner?
You absolutely can refrigerate your face toners! It is much better on thicker toners but a cold toner can give you more soothing benefits than applying it lukewarm.
5. How many minutes should I leave toner on my face?
You don’t wash away toners so you can leave it on for as long as you like. If you are applying a serum or moisturizer, you should wait 2 to 3 minutes to let the toner completely absorb into your skin.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it! The 10 best Korean toners for sensitive skin! I really enjoyed using all these toners and this was a wonderful little start to using Korean skincare products. My personal favorites have to be TonyMoly Wonder Ceramide Mocchi Toner and the Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner! These worked perfectly on my skin without giving me any trouble. I hope that you find the toner that you are looking for from this list, especially if you have sensitive skin. As always, stay classy!
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