‘It’s like glowing skin in a bottle!’: K-beauty toners worth trying

I have no doubt that right now your entire social media feed is full of people raving on about Korean skincare, and after recently returning from a trip to South Korea myself, it’s safe to say I am on the K-beauty train, too. 

Not only are the products reasonably priced, but the formulations are unlike what we see in Western beauty, making it not only a cheaper alternative but, in most cases, a more effective one. 

If you want to dip your toes into the world of Korean beauty, a great place to start is with a step that most probably neglect in their routine – toner. 

For the longest time, I was convinced that toners would dry out and strip my skin of its natural oils, but in Korean beauty routines, a toner is the cornerstone, providing the skin with hydrating nutrients and an instant glow.  

So if you’re looking for an easy-to-use product that will give your skin a glowing boost, these six toners will do the trick. 

Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Mist

$33 | Sephora

I picked up this Aestura Atobarrier365 Cream Mist on my travels for a few reasons. Firstly, I love the mist applicator, as it just eliminates the mess and risk of dirty hands touching your face. And secondly, because it boasted a pretty impressive concentration of ceramides, which are said to be helpful when it comes to nourishing the skin. 

I really enjoy this product as it is super lightweight on the skin, but still leaves me looking and feeling like a glazed doughnut, which is exactly what I am after when I am trying to hydrate. 

To see how long this glazed look would last, I skipped the rest of my skincare steps and went to bed with just the mist on. By morning, my skin was still looking fresh. This product is like glowing skin in a bottle.

Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner

$57 | Amazon

Another favourite is the Dr Jart Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner.

This product is slightly thicker in texture than other options, and it is powered by ceramides, panthenol, and glycerin to help support softer and more hydrated skin.

Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner

$38 | Sephora

The Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner is another popular product, loved for its lightweight texture and refreshing, dewy finish on the skin. 

Formulated with a blend of 70 per cent rice water, niacinamide and ceramides, it’s designed to help nourish and hydrate, while also helping to support balanced oil production. This toner is said to be suitable for a range of skin types, including combination, oily, and dry. 

Torriden Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner

$21.18 | Beauty Amora

If a milky toner isn’t really your thing, then this option from Torriden might be your pick. The Dive-In Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner is far more lightweight and watery in consistency and is formulated with a hydrating blend of hyaluronic acid.

It also contains allantoin, which offers an ever-so-slight exfoliation, so if you’re on the more sensitive side, be aware that there is a mild exfoliating effect. 

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence

$18.71 | Stylevana

COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence is formulated to help support tired skin. This essence is ultra-lightweight, but don’t let the thin texture fool you. It promises to help nourish your skin with every use. 

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

$18.98 | Amazon

The Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner has been formulated with ingredients such as fermented black rice extract, hyaluronic acid, and beta-glucan.

This toner was designed to help support skin radiance, and it is said to be suitable for all skin types. 

READ MORE: Six affordable Korean and Japanese beauty products you must try