15 Best Korean Toners for Sensitive Skin: Reviews & Guide
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Toners are often referred to by a freshener, clarifier, or astringent. Toner is one thing you’ll regret skipping.If you are from America, you probably grew up using toners.
They were alcohol-based liquids that scrubbed dirt off your skin. They often left a stinging feeling on the skin, making you afraid to use it again.
However, in the world of Korean beauty toners, it is nothing like that. Koreans have completely changed the idea of what a toner is.
Korea, thank you for creating a toner that soothes rather than agitates!
A Korean-made toner will not dry your skin and cause irritation or stinging sensations. Instead, it will cleanse, moisturize, clarify and reset the pH balance of your skin with every application.
Although most Korean toners are gentle on the skin already, there are some best Korean toners that are specially created for sensitive skin. These toners will not cause irritations or reddening of the skin.
Our Top Picks for The Best Korean Toners For Sensitive Skins
#1. Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
Our Pick
A low-irritant, weakly acidic toner can help soothe your skin.
SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner contains Panthensoside (Panthenol, Madecassoside), which is a skin-calming agent that heals irritated or damaged skin. It is hypoallergenic and has been tested not to cause skin irritation.
This toner is recommended for people with sensitive skin. It has a watery consistency and is easy to absorb into the skin.
Read Full Review of ETUDE HOUSE Soonjung Relief Toner Here
#2. MISSHA Time Revolution Clear Toner
Enriched With Fermented Yeast Extract
Time Revolution Clear Toner by MISSHA is ideal for people who want their skin to be smooth, firm, and hydrated without any irritation or stinging sensation. The toner can also be used to repair wrinkles, balance sebum levels, and correct skin tone.
This mild toner is fragrance-free and removes dirt and impurities from your skin.
It also contains MISSHA’s famous fermented yeast extract, which helps promote cellular turnover and a bright, clear, and even skin tone.
It is free of mineral oil, parabens, alcohol, silicone, and other harmful chemicals, so it’s suitable for combination, sensitive, oily, and dry skin types.
#3. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Toner
Benefits Of Toning And Exfoliation
COSRX has another great toner that is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones.
This Clarifying Toner includes 10 percent Willow Bark Water, which is a natural exfoliating agent that softens and smoothes the skin texture.
It also contains 10 percent Apple Fruit Water, which is another natural exfoliating component that gives a more even skin tone.
It also contains 74.55% mineral water from Jeju Island, which is a better choice than purified water. It deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, keeping it healthy and glowing.
BHA and AHA are also effective in exfoliating and cleaning dead skin cells.
The toner also contains other important ingredients like allantoin, which helps nourish and soothe irritated skin. This toner has minimal ingredients and is gentle on sensitive or irritated skin.
#4. Son & Park Beauty Water Toner
Quick Absorbing Formula
This water toner by Son & Park can be used as both a toner and a cleanser. It will soothe your skin and help slow down the aging process. It can be used to exfoliate your skin.
You can also use the product at night to cleanse your skin. It will remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
To keep your skin hydrated, the toner contains all-natural ingredients like orange fruit extract, rosewater extract, and lavender water. The papaya extract and willow bark help to remove dead skin cells.
This toner is watery in consistency and easily absorbs into the skin. It also adds moisture. It is safe and free from parabens and artificial fragrances, so it’s suitable for combination, sensitive and dry skin types.
#5. BENTON Aloe BHA Skin Toner
Contains Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Benton has a soothing toner for sensitive and acne-prone skin. This skin toner contains Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract and Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice. It deeply moisturizes and soothes the skin.
It also contains 0.5 percent BHA and Hyaluronic Acid, Snail Serum Filtrate, and Beta-Glucan. This helps to restore damaged skin and keep it stress-free and irritation-free.
It moisturizes your skin, as well as removes dead skin cells and blackheads. It can also control the texture and appearance of your skin, as well as improve your skin barrier.
This toner has been approved by the OTC Drug for Anti-Acne Function. It is suitable for combination skin types, sensitive, oily and dry skin.
#6. Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Provides Deep Moisturization
The Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is recommended for people who need deep moisturization and hydration. It offers 20% more hydration than other Korean toners.
It has a lot of hydrating ingredients, including Centella Asiatic Extract, Beta-glucan, and Sodium Hyaluronate. They help retain moisture and calm irritation and redness.
This facial toner, despite its heavy emphasis on moisture, is suitable for people with sensitive skin due to the soothing plant extracts and other ingredients that have been combined to form its non-irritating and calming formula.
It is also free of alcohol, dyes, and artificial fragrances. It has a pleasant, herbal scent that deeply rejuvenates the skin.
#7. Etude House Wonder Pore Freshner
7-in-1 Solution
This Wonder Pore Freshner by Etude House is a great choice if you’re concerned about your pores. This 7-in-1 solution offers deep cleansing, pH 4.5 treatment, and sebum control. It moisturizes, provides elasticity, tightens your pores, and gives you clear skin.
This toner is best suited for sensitive, combination or oily skin. It has been specially designed to tighten pores and keep skin firm and youthful-looking.
The Wonder Pore Freshner is safe for both sensitive and dry skin types. It does not contain any harmful ingredients like silicone, animal ingredients, or artificial coloring.
It also contains a special ingredient, peppermint, which helps to effectively clean your pores. This will restore your skin’s pH balance, and repair any skin damage.
#8. MIZON AHA & BHA Daily Toner
With Papaya Enzymes and Salicylic Acid.
This MIZON’s daily toner is more than just an exfoliator. It also deeply moisturizes the skin thanks to its moisturizing ingredients, such as papaya enzymes and salicylic acid.
This daily toner is suitable for dry skin that requires moisturization. Its mild formulation makes it ideal for sensitive skin.
BHA and AHA combine to effectively remove dead skin cells while smoothing rough skin. This promotes skin renewal and maintains healthy skin conditions.
#9. Etude House Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner
Fights Signs of Ageing
The Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner by Etude House is a Korean toner that not only moisturizes and hydrates your skin but also slows down aging. It will fight wrinkles and reduce the appearance of fine lines. You can also use it as a facial moisturizer to promote glowing, healthy skin.
This gentle, effective toner contains Etude House’s super-collagen and Baobab water to give you intense moisture and balance the pH level of your skin.
It has a gel-like texture that quickly absorbs into the skin. This toner is great for all skin types, including oily, dry, sensitive, and combination.
#10. ISNTREE Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner
Tested By Dermatologist
Your skin is in need of hydration, but you don’t have a lot of time to add some extra steps to your morning routine.
Most skin care products are either too expensive or contain ingredients that irritate the skin and cause breakouts.
ISNTREE Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner is an all-day moisturizer with hyaluronic acid and Centella Asiatica Extracts for a healthy complexion.
This dermatologist-tested toner will leave your face feeling refreshed without leaving it sticky or oily, making it perfect for use under makeup during the day and before bed at night.
This lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin, so you’re able to get on with your day right away! Plus it does not contain Parabens, Dyes, Artificial Fragrances, Mineral oils, etc.
They’ve added natural extracts like green tea extract 80%, Allantoin, Hyaluronic Acid, and Centella Asiatica Extract to give this product anti-aging properties as well!
#11. AHC Toner for Face
Provides Boost Of Hydration
Dry skin is a major problem, especially in the winter months.
Some toners on the market are too harsh for dry skin and only make it worse.
AHC Toner is gentle enough to be used every day or whenever you need an extra boost of hydration.
This toner has been dermatologist tested and proven to work with all skin types, including sensitive ones!
Try this moisturizing facial toner and get back that healthy glow you’ve been missing!
#12. Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Toner
Powered With Jeju Green Tea Extracts
Innisfree’s balancing toner is made with organic and natural Jeju green tea extracts. This helps to maintain the skin’s moisture and hydration.
It also contains betaine, a natural moisturizing agent that is derived from amino acids. This helps to provide intense moisture for combination and dry skin types. It also contains hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid to moisturize, and Centella Asiatica Extracts to strengthen your skin’s barrier.
This toner is suitable for sensitive skin. It contains blueberry fruit extract to relieve skin stress and allantoin, which soothes and calms irritated skin.
This Korean toner does not contain any mineral oil, synthetic colorants, parabens, or animal-derived ingredients, and it also doesn’t have any imidazolidinyl urea, which can cause skin irritation and burning sensations.
This toner has a water-like texture and can be applied easily without causing a greasy or sticky feeling.
#13. PYUNKANG YUL Facial Mist Toner
Made From All-Natural Ingredients
People don’t want to use harsh chemicals on their skin, but they also need it to be clean.
The best way is using natural products. But how do you know which ones are good for your skin? People have been getting ripped off by companies selling ineffective and even harmful products that make big promises but deliver little results.
PYUNKANG YUL Facial Mist Toner is made from all-natural ingredients that actually work with your body’s chemistry instead of working against it.
It calms irritated skin without drying it out so you can feel confident knowing this product will not irritate or damage your face while still keeping it clean, healthy-looking, and soft!
This toner is made with 95.8% Barberry extract which instantly calms and moisturizes your irritated skin without leaving any sticky residue behind.
#14. The Face Shop Rice and Ceramide Moisturizing Toner
No Harsh Chemicals
This moisturizing toner by The Face Shop is a great starter for your skincare regimen. It contains natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin.
This moisturizing toner contains Rice Bran Oil, Rice Extracts, and Ceramide. It has a rich texture that delivers intense hydration and moisture to your skin.
Rice ingredients have many benefits, including moisturizing your skin, exfoliating dead cells, and a whitening effect. Ceramide, a natural component in skin cells, helps to prevent moisture loss.
Nanotechnology allows Ceramide to be reduced to small particles, which makes it easier for your skin to absorb nutrients. The ceramide is also made from organically grown vegetables, which helps reduce skin irritations and protect your skin against foreign substances.
This toner is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and normal. It does not contain any harsh chemicals such as mineral oil, talc, or paraben, which can cause redness and irritation.
#15. [simplyO] Natural Glow Facial Toner
Made From Natural Ingredients
Dry skin is one of the most common problems. We’ve all tried lotions and potions in an attempt to get rid of dryness, but even if we find a product that works for us, chances are good that it’s filled with ingredients we wish we could do without.
SimplyO Natural Glow Facial Toner is made from natural ingredients like sea buckthorn extracts and essential oils instead of harsh chemicals or preservatives.
It hydrates your skin while restoring its tone and texture so you can say goodbye to flaky patches forever!
It is officially certified by PETA as a 100% cruelty-free product plus it does not contain parabens, Color additives, Synthetic fragrances, Silicone oil, Mineral oil, or Animal-derived ingredients.
Important Factors To Consider While Choosing The Best Korean Toner For Sensitive Skin
1) Types of Facial Toner
There are three types of skin toners that you can choose from. These are:
a. ALCOHOL-BASED SKIN TONERS
These toners are most commonly available and contain alcohol as an ingredient. They are generally not the best option unless your skin is very oily.
b. GLYCERIN-BASED SKIN TONERS
They are certainly less harmful than the alcohol type. They do contain fragrance extracts, which can cause minor irritations or skin sensitivities, especially if you have an allergy.
c. WATER-BASED SKIN TONERS
These toners are the gentlest of all the three types and have no harmful ingredients. They are therefore the best for sensitive skin. Instead of harmful ingredients they contain some useful substances that prepare your skin for makeup and boost your daily skincare routine.
2) Ingredients
You must read the ingredients list when looking for the best Korean toner to soothe sensitive skin. Also, ensure the products are free of harmful ingredients that could further irritate your skin.
All-organic, natural ingredients are best as they are gentler and more efficient.
Avoid astringents like alcohols, menthols, and witch hazel as they can cause skin irritations. These ingredients can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing extreme redness, irritation, or peeling.
You may consider the following ingredients:
a. SALICYLIC ACID
This oil-removing compound can create a tingling sensation in your skin. This acid is gentler than alcohol and has a great ability to penetrate your pores and remove dirt and impurities. Salicylic acid also has the added benefit of removing buildups from other products.
b. GLYCOLIC ACID
Glycolic acid is a chemical that’s very similar to salicylic acid. It helps remove dirt and debris from your pores. It is also gentler than alcohol and suitable for people with sensitive skin.
c. MOISTURIZERS
These compounds, like aloe vera and hyaluronic, help to retain moisture in your skin and keep it hydrated. This is especially helpful for people with sensitive or dry skin. It keeps the skin looking fresh and youthful.
d. ANTIOXIDANTS
Toners that contain antioxidants are great because they restore the health of your skin cells, as well as help to flush out impurities and balance your skin tone.
They slow down the aging process. Antioxidants also protect you from free radicals that could damage your skin.
e. SOOTHERS
These compounds include organic ingredients such as chamomile. Soothers are used to soothe and calm your skin.
These ingredients are especially important for people with sensitive skin as they help to balance the harsh acidic properties of beauty products.
3) Consistency
This is an important consideration that most people overlook.
You may find a wide variety of tones, from the heaviest to the lightest. You can find them in lotions, creams or mists. When browsing, be aware of their various properties and how quickly they are absorbed into the skin.
4) Scent
Toners can be made more pleasant smelling by adding artificial fragrances. Synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation and redness, especially if you are allergic or have sensitive skin.
Avoid artificial fragrances, and opt for natural scents from essential oils or other herbal ingredients.
A strong scent can also interfere with your preferred scent so make sure you choose a product without scent or that has a mild scent.
5) Dispenser
There are many ways to dispense Korean toner. You can find them in sprays, squeeze bottles, flip caps, twist-off caps, and other forms.
6) Size
You should consider the size of your product, whether you’re looking to purchase an old favorite Korean toner or a new product.
If this is your third or fourth purchase, and you have found it to be very effective for your skin, it is a good idea to get the largest size you can afford.
If you are looking to test a product on sensitive skin and want to get on board quickly, you can always go for the smaller size.
7) Reviews
You won’t know how effective the product is until you actually try it.
However, it is always a good idea to read about other people’s experiences before you try it. It is strongly recommended that you read through user reviews to find out if the toner would really work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I properly use a toner?
First, wash your skin before using a toner. You don’t have to use a specific face wash product.
Warm water is best for washing your face. Then, use cold water to rinse your face and prepare it for the next stage.
Pat your face dry.
Next, you’ll use the toner with cotton pads or balls. Apply the toner to a cotton ball or pad. Then, wipe the toner onto your neck and face. It should not touch your eyes or lips. Spread the toner slowly.
Give it time to absorb before moving on to the next step of your beauty routine.
Can I use a toner with other skincare products?
Yes! You can!
Never use a toner in conjunction with any other products. You should always finish a product before moving on to the next.
When should I use a toner?
It varies from one person to another. It is a good idea, however, to apply toner both in the morning as well as in the night before going to bed.
This is because your skin will create oil during the day, which can cause an imbalanced pH level. Toner can be used before and after you expose your skin to the elements. This will help to maintain a balanced pH level for as long as possible while you’re asleep.
If you find that your skin becomes dry and itchy from using toner twice daily, you can only use it at night.
Conclusion
Koreans take their skincare seriously. You will see the results in their radiant, glowing skin.
They are passionate about innovation, know what they want, and are willing to pay for the best products and ingredients.
Their toners, especially those mentioned above, can be used to scrub dirt and grit off sensitive skin. They also moisturize your skin in a gentler manner.
Hope this article was of help to you. Please share your thoughts with us about the article.
Check out other related articles on Korean Skin Care, Best Korean Toners for All Skin Types, and 10 Best Korean Toners for Oily Skin
Emma Smith
I love staying healthy by doing working out and yoga. I am mother of a beautiful baby girl, I spend most of my time caring for her while still managing work obligations.