Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The 10 Best Korean Toners for Hydrated, Glowing Skin
Lightweight formulas, heavyweight results
You may or may not have been using toners in your skincare routine since you were a teenager. But the harsh astringents of years past have come a long way, and that's largely thanks to the gentle formulas that K-beauty has brought to the industry.
"I think the fast-absorbing, lightweight, non-sticky but refreshing feel with soothing and hydrating benefits during application is what attracts people to Korean toners," says Nancy Kim, assistant brand manager for Korean skincare brand Belif. They also slip right into your existing routine: "It’s recommended to apply your skincare in the order of lightest to heaviest form, and the super lightweight Korean toner formulas help your skin not feel too heavy and make it easy to continue with your usual skincare routine," says Kim.
The Best Korean Toners
Whether you're looking for a milky toner, an exfoliating toner, or a balancing formula, we rounded up the 10 best Korean toners below, including expert picks. Keep reading to find your new favorite.
Pros
- Refillable
Cons
- If you want to use as a mist, the sprayer is sold separately
Designed for a hydrated, glass skin look, this creamy toner is a favorite of Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein. "I am obsessed with milky toners—but this is one of the best for dry skin," she says. "It leaves skin so moisturized and soft, and I love that it includes ceramides and peptides to keep skin plump and radiant."
Key Ingredients: Ceramide and peptide complex, white leaf tea
Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, and oily
Customer Review:
"I've been using this product for over a year and have repurchased many times. My skin is so soft and moisturized. It melts with makeup given a super skin like finish even with power. If your thinking about it trust you won't regret." —Anthony450
belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner
Pros
- Hydrates skin without adding heavy ingredients
Cons
- Contains fragrance
Bazaar beauty commerce editor Tiffany Dodson Davis says this hyaluronic-acid-infused toner is great for her combination skin. "It not only pairs perfectly with the brand’s cult-favorite Aqua Bomb moisturizer but is also nicely water-based and lightweight," she says.
Key Ingredients: Honeysuckle, baobab, sodium hyaluronate
Skin Types: Normal, dry, oily, and combination
Customer Review:
"I have dry sometimes dry/combination mature skin thats very sensitive and prone to breakouts. Toners are a a necessary step in my morning and evening skincare routine. I've tried many toners and all of them either irritated my skin; causes breakouts; or left a film/residue. This toner doesnt do any of that. It does the job and preps your face for the next steps. The best toner for my skin type." —Jahmeelah
Pros
- Helps minimize the look of pores
Cons
- May not be suitable for dry skin
When she needs something more suited to breakouts, Dodson Davis uses this toner from Innisfree: "Along with acne face masks and hydrocolloid patches, this Bija seed oil- and salicylic acid-based clarifying toner is one of my favorites to minimize breakouts in one fell swoop," she says.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, bija seed oil, mugwort oil
Skin Types: Acne-prone, oily, combination
Customer Review:
"I love how this product makes my skin feel so smooth afterwards, and the toner has such a nice scent as well. Innisfree has such a great selection of toners but the bija line is definitely my favorite!!!" —Ana B
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Facial Sebum Toner
Pros
- Gentle and non-drying
Cons
- Some reviewers said they spilled the product easily
Shake up this toner from the TikTok-viral brand to get both of its balancing benefits: The powder phase helps absorb excess oil, while the hydrating toner helps hydrate. Plus, it has antioxidants from the rice amino acids for an added boost of skin protection.
Key Ingredients: Rice extract, rice core protein
Skin Types: Oily, combination
Customer Review:
"I’d give its six stars if I could! I have sensitive skin and this hydrates and brightens! Super great product. Not drying at all." —Alexandria
Pros
- Great value
Cons
- If you're looking for more targeted results, this may not be the best option
It may look like a bottle of water, and that's partially by design; it's made with deep-sea water that has 72 types of minerals. A patented ingredient also provides gentle exfoliation—so gentle you can use it daily without risking damage to the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: Allantoin, panthenol
Skin Types: Combination, sensitive, dry, normal, oily
Customer Review:
"Using toners in the past never did much for me, but THIS toner has changed my perspective. After using the cleansing oil and cleansing creamer, using the tone evens everything out and provided my skin with a feeling of freshness before applying my serum and moisturizer. Thank you for making such wonderful product for my aging skin." —Grace Gheen
Pros
- Helps smooth the surface of the skin for makeup application
Cons
- Leaves a slight tacky feel on the skin
If you're looking for a more resurfacing formula, this toner contains 8 percent PHA to seriously exfoliate without irritating skin. While PHAs are inherently gentler, the formula also has ceramides and fatty acids to help reintroduce moisture to the skin barrier.
Key Ingredients: 8% PHA, ceramides, NMF
Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, and oily
Customer Review:
"This is a really great and mild toner that doesn’t irritate my skin but does leave it feeling clean, smooth, and fresh. I have issues with toners sometimes being too abrasive but this one does the job perfectly without any trouble." —Moonshroom
Pros
- Refillable cartridge
Cons
These viral toner pads have a slew of peptides and collagen to instantly plump up the look of skin, plus you can leave them on to target a specific area—the neck, forehead, or cut in half under the eyes—as a mini sheet mask
Key Ingredients: CollagenFactor complex
Skin Types: Combination, acne-prone, dry, sensitive, oily, mature, normal
Customer Review:
"The more I use these pads, the glowier my skin looks. Lately, I've been receiving compliments on my skin when I apply my makeup, and I know this product is one of the reasons. I highly recommend it!" —Frosty
Pros
- Helps minimize the look of pores
Cons
- Made with essential oils
A mixture of natural AHAs, anti-inflammatory meadowfoam seed oil, and hydrating snow mushroom comes together for a balancing toner that smoothes skin as it nourishes. Even though it does a lot—hydrating, exfoliating, brightening—it's still gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Meadowfoam seed oil, snow mushroom, niacinamide, ceramides
Skin Types: All skin types
Customer Review:
"Every time I tell myself I don't need this extra step, I regret it. Texture is less noticeable, skin is overall softer and more hydrated, I really can't recommend enough. 10/10!" —Mary
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Water
Pros
Cons
- Some reviewers said it feels a bit sticky
It may be called a "water," but nothing is watered-down about this ginseng-infused, plumping toner. Not only does it hydrate and plump skin, but with ingredients like peptides and niacinamide, it's also great for minimizing wrinkles.
Key Ingredients: Ginseng actives, ginseng peptides, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, niacinamide
Skin Types: Normal, dry, combination, and oily
Customer Review:
"I’ve tried several essences/waters, including luxury brands, but this is my favorite. I look forward to using it twice a day. It smells like nature. My skin looks hydrated and healthier when I use it." —Tiffanie
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- The texture is a bit thicker, almost like a serum
Another hydrating milky toner option, this formula helps keep skin feeling nourished all day long. And without any exfoliating ingredients, it's an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.
Key Ingredients: Panthetoin, ceramides, allantoin
Skin Types: All skin types
Customer Review:
"I moved to the Midwest, and the wind here is just crazy, and the weather is fluctuating so often. So my facial skin is got way worse than before.. but this toner saved my redness around my cheek right away !! It calms down my redness, sensitive and dry cheeks and makes my skin so soft and moisture! I am so happy that I could buy my home country cosmetic toner here!" —jihyunlee
What do Korean toners do?
They can have different benefits depending on the formula, but in general, they help prep the skin for treatments and moisturizer. "After cleansing, your skin’s pH levels aren’t ideal, so toners balance out your pH levels," says Kim. "If you use a toner pad or cotton pad to apply your toner it can also help remove any lingering impurities to ensure your skin is flawlessly clean."
Meet the experts
- Nancy Kim is the assistant brand manager for Korean skincare brand belif.
- Dr. Nava Greenfield is a board-certified dermatologist based at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
Do you need to use a toner?
Not necessarily, but they can be a great step if you find a formula that works for your skin. Board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield says that while the "branding is done very well" for Korean skincare, she rarely recommends toners—K-beauty or otherwise. Still, the derm acknowledges that "some toners have chemical exfoliating ingredients, which can be helpful if that is something your skin needs."
Looking for more K-Beauty recommendations?
Why trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
17 Editor-Loved Scents on Sale Now at Nordstrom
I Tried Meghan Sussex's Complete Skincare Routine
How to Get the Dandy Look
Ariana Greenblatt Is the New Face of L’Oréal Paris
