Best Face Toners by Korean Beauty
- Kavya Goswami
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 27
The internet is raving about Korean skincare all over the world! Are you also one of those people who can’t resist hopping on the trend and trying out the most viral Korean skincare essentials?
That’s why we’ve curated another Korean Skincare special in our K-Beauty Series, where we’ll explore some of the best face toners by Korean beauty brands. Korean face toners are formulated with hydrating ingredients and authentic medicinal plant extracts, making them a great addition to your skincare routine.
But here’s what you must know — Korean skincare products are not always formulated specifically for Indian skin types. While some products are definitely worth trying, but don’t get carried away by the hype. Not all viral products are created equal, and many may promise more than they deliver.
Be smart with your skincare choices. That’s exactly why we’ve created this Korean Beauty Skincare Guide — to help you make better, more informed decisions.
Let’s dive into our K-Beauty special and discover what’s truly worth your skin’s attention!
What are Toners?
Toners are liquid skincare products used after cleansing and before moisturizing to help prep your skin for the rest of your routine. They are usually water-based and often infused with ingredients that offer hydration, water-balance of skin, and very mild exfoliation.
Why Should You Use Toners?
Toners aren’t a mandatory step in your skincare routine, but if you’re curious about incorporating one, you absolutely can.
They’re especially popular among people with oily skin, as toners offer a lightweight, hydrating alternative when serums or moisturizers feel too heavy — particularly during the summer season. For many, using a toner strikes the perfect balance between hydration and comfort without overwhelming the skin.
But there are certain things that toners can do:
Balance the skin's pH
If you are using the wrong cleanser or using a cleanser that's too stripping and drying for your skin, using a soothing toner feels like a good option. But if your cleanser does that you need to throw it out immediately because it's not a good sign. Anyway, toner does helps to restore skin's natural pH, if made correctly.
Hydrate and Refresh
Toners are made hydrating by containing ingredients like Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Hyaluronic Acid, Rice Water Extract, Niacinamide or Rose Water.
Toners can help in oil control and tightening pores if they contain targeted skincare ingredients like Niacinamide, Salicylic Acid, and Willow Bark Extract.
Mild Exfoliation
It contains BHA (Salicylic Acid) or PHA (Gluconolactone) or AHAs like Lactic Acid and Mandelic Acid (but not to be used regularly in the case), only twice a week.
How to Use a Toner?
After cleansing, pour some toner onto a cotton pad or into your hands.
Gently pat or swipe it across your face and neck.
Follow with your serum and moisturizer.
Best Korean Beauty Toners to Buy in India
If you think the best toners are the ones that contain ingredients like denatured alcohol, think again.
In the past, many skincare brands formulated toners with denatured alcohol because it gave the skin a tight, squeaky-clean feeling — something people often mistook for effectiveness. But in reality, that ‘clean’ sensation often came at the cost of stripping the skin’s natural moisture and damaging the skin barrier.
It's better to look for face toners that are free from alcohol, essential oils, and denatured alcohol.
Dive into our best Korean Beauty Face toners:
Anua Heartleaf Soothing Toner is a good hydrating toner for all skin types, it contains skincare ingredients like:
Houttuynia Cordata Extract [Antioxidant]
Glycerin
Betaine
Centella Asiatica Extract [Soothing, Anti-inflammatory]
Portulace Oleracea Extract [Antioxidant]
Sugarcane Extract
Arctium Lappa Root Extract
Panthenol
Anua Rice Glow Milky Toner is skin-soothing toner with skincare actives like:
Rice Brand Extract
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Panthenol
Betaine
It does claim to have ceramides, but this toner has a very low concentration of ceramides, and ceramides don't penetrate well in the toner base.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water is a skincare toner for a healthier skin barrier as it contains beneficial skincare actives for oil control and skin texture improvement like:
Panax Ginseng Root Water
Niacinamide
Panthenol
Licorice Root Extract
Allantoin
Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Toner is a skin-soothing toner that hydrates and moisturizes with skincare actives:
Rice Bran Extract
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract [Moisturizer]
Japonica Root Extract [Skin-soothing, Antioxidant]
Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract [Moisturizer]
Skin 1004 Centella Madagascar Toning Toner is a skin hydrating skincare product made with ingredients like:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Niacinamide
Gluconolactone (Polyhydroxy Acid)
Skin 1004 Centella Madagascar Hyalu-Cica Brightening Toner is a hydrating product includes skincare actives like:
Centella Asiatica Extract
Niacinamide
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hyaluronic Acid
and many other fruit and flower extracts.
COSRX Centella Toner is a skin-soothing product and consists of skincare actives like:
Centella Asiatica Water
Betaine
Panthenol
Allantoin
COSRX Galactomyces Balancing Essence is toner with a yeast-derived ingredient to improve skin texture and get hydrated skin:
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate [Anti-aging, skin nourishing liquid, and has antioxidants effects]
Glycerin
Niacinamide
Betaine
Panthenol
Allantoin
I'm From Rice Toner is a skin-soothing Korean Beauty toner which is enriched in skincare actives like:
Rice Bran Extract
Niacinamide
Japanese Elm Bark Extract
Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract [moisturizer]
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is another good option to go for as it is enriched with skincare actives like:
Glycerin
Chondrus Crispus Extracts
Saccharum Officinarum Extract (Sugarcane) [Moisturizer]
Sea Water
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner, I would say, this was a hard-to-find fragrance-free product in Klairs beauty products. I'm glad to come across this one. It is a simple skin-soothing toner with ingredients like:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Centella Asiatica
Licorice Root Extract
Vitamin E
Mixsoon Centella Asiatica Toner it's an anti-inflammatory, skin-soothing toner and has a high concentration of Centella Asiatica.
Mixsoon Bean Toner is a skin moisturizing toner with skincare actives like:
Glycine Max Seed Extract (Black Seed Extract),
Betaine
Allantoin
Panax Ginseng Root Ferment Filter [antioxidant]
Korean skincare truly stands out for its use of authentic, medicinally significant ingredients — rich in antioxidants and known for their skin-soothing properties. These formulations can be worth trying, especially if you’re looking for gentle yet effective skincare.
However, it’s important to be cautious. Not all product claims are entirely true, and many rely heavily on marketing hype.
Instead of giving in to FOMO, choose products that genuinely suit your skin’s needs and concerns. Smart skincare is all about what works for you, not just what’s trending.
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