To Tone or Not to Tone? We Say YES!

by Sharon Lee Smith July 25, 2024

I will declare my bias up front - I love toners! Korean toners are some of the best in the business and they are true game changers for any skin type.

Do you need to use a toner? Is it essential? Dermatologists and skincare experts say no - the essential steps of a good, basic skincare routine are cleansing, moisturizing and sunscreen.

But will a toner benefit your skin? A resounding yes. Adding a toner to a skincare routine can address a myriad of skin concerns, from dryness, to breakouts, sensitivities, irritation and the affects of aging.

In particular, Korean toners have gained a reputation for their multitasking abilities, natural ingredients and innovative formulations. They offer multiple benefits with just one or two drops or a swipe of a cotton pad!

Benefits like:

Ensuring Skin is Really Clean - Toners can be used after cleansing to remove residual impurities and cleanser that can be missed when you rinse your face. This ensures your skin can breathe, which is important for skin health and prevention of breakouts.
Balancing Skin's pH Levels - Cleansing skin disrupts the oil-water ratio of skin's natural protective barrier. Toners will stabliize this ratio at a pH (alkalinity-acidity scale) level of around 5.5, which mimics that of healthy skin. Skin will feel more refreshed after cleansing rather than dry or tight.
Prepping Skin For the Rest of Your Skincare Routine - The clean, pH balanced skin provided by a toner will be able to better absorb the other products you apply afterwards, like essences, serums or moisturizers. A toner enables rest of your skincare products and enable them to sink into skin more effectively.
Adding a first, Penetrating Layer of Whatever Your Skin Needs - Toners are liquids -- from watery to more viscous, and they will sink into skin to provide a really important, first layer of nourishment. And Korean Toners cover a myriad of skin concerns, for one to multiple issues, all in one bottle! There are toners for hydration, managing excess oil, soothing toners inflamed acne prone or sensitive skin, and brightening, moisturizing toners to plump up fine lines and wrinkles.

Korean toners are also available in several forms, like watery or thicker liquids, or on pre-soaked pads of natural fibers to offer light exfoliation, can be used for mini facials, and are great for travel. Innovation at its best!

And as usual, Korean toners are reasonably priced.

So go ahead, enhance your skincare routine with a toner. You will never look back!

You can check out my entire Toner collection here. Or see below for some suggested toners for particular skin concerns:

1. Overall Multi Taskers

i) Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Toner Pad

ii) Etude House Soon Jung 5.5 Relief Toner

2. Brightening/Dullness

i) Numbuzin No.5 Vitamin Boosting Essential Toner

ii) Tirtir Milk Skin Toner

3. Dryness/Hydration/Moisturizing

i) Isntree Ultra Low Molecular Hyalronic Acid Toner

ii) Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner