23 May

Are Toners Expensive Water? Why Do We Need Toners and Why Are Korean Beauty Toners Special?

skincare

/ 5 min

Are Toners Expensive Water? Why Do We Need Toners and Why Are Korean Beauty Toners Special?

Inspecting your toner bottle and wondering, what's the point? Who should be using toners and are they for every skin type?

For a long time, dermatologists would shudder at the word ‘toner.’ Alcohol-heavy concoctions were the mainstay of the 90s and especially acne care. It was the second step after cleansing and us poor teenagers of the time would splash it over open whiteheads to produce a sharp, burning effect. It had good intentions – alcohol, after all, is a disinfectant. It was designed ‘nasty’ to reduce acne-causing bacteria on the surface and tightened pores. But it was largely detrimental to skin, causing damage and wreaking havoc on sensitive, recovering skin.

But toners have made a massive comeback in the 2010s and is now a compulsory part of a strong skincare routine. So, what changed? It was the eruption of Korean beauty products on the market – that studied skin extensively, especially talented in the healing of damaged skin. They tailor made toners to match their other products, to enhance the effect of serums and moisturizers and also to protect and soothe skin. They no longer looked at scorching skin to reduce acne (at the cost of the rest of the face) they looked to bring harmony and balance back to the skin barrier and help it heal.

The 3 Functions of Korean Toners

Balancing pH - Firstly, Korean toners are largely acidic. Our natural, happy face pH is 4.1 to 5.8 - whereas the pH of an alcohol-based toner tended to be alkaline and pull our skin out of balance. Korean beauty toners are carefully formulated to be between 3 to 5.5, to combat pollution and harsh cleansers that reduce this. Our skin is designed to be acidic as a natural protection against infection and to ensure our natural enzymes can function. When outside of this range, bacteria are encouraged to grow and our skin cells lose function.

Pore tightening - Apart from balancing pH, toners also are vital in pore care. It is a final step in cleansing – removing debris from pores that may be left over from cleansers. It collects traces of oil and bacteria, as well as environmental pollutants and helps bind them, separating them from the skin barrier. This is a great step for people with oily skin type or who use heavier make-up or sunscreen.

Absorbency - Finally, toners help re-hydrate the skin and prepare it for other beauty products. Due to cleansers stripping natural oils from the skin and drying it out, immediately adding serums and treatments can be repelled and lead to poor absorption of product. When toner is added, however, it creates a sticking surface that draws serums or moisturizers deeper into skin.

Who Should Use Toners?

With the variety of skincare products out there, there is a ‘toner for everyone.’ But is it truly necessary?

You’re likely to experience a good difference if you:

- wear a daily makeup routine or heavy sunscreen, where toners are able to help deeply cleanse your pores. This allows a delicate finish and prevents skin irritation/damage.

- have oily skin type or overproduction of sebum (where a toner can help tighten pores and meld away excess oils)

- have dry skin type that is resistant to moisturizers/serums (if you find products are not absorbing deeply into your skin, it can help products penetrate better).

- you are seeking out a specialized toner effect (i.e. heartleaf, AHA/BHA, Vitamin C) to add to your skincare routine.

Application

Toners are easy enough to apply. They should be applied to clean, dry skin after a good cleanser. You can either pour an amount into your hand and apply carefully to your face or you can use a cotton pad to gently draw across your face.

A lot of toners come with a ‘Toner pad’ version of the product – where cotton pads already come pre-soaked for easiest application.

What is the Best Toner?

Like any skincare product, this is dependent on your individual skin type and needs. There are some toners, however, that are bought time and again and are considered standard players in Korean skincare for a reason.

Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk – this toner is formed from fermented rice bran water, as was used in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. It is deeply soothing, non-irritating and sinks deeply into skin cells to hydrate and nourish with a balance of amino acids and vitamins.

It is carefully mixed with kaolin clay, to bind sebum and reduce oil production on the skin surface. This makes it a holy grail for ‘oily skin types’ - although it is soft and nourishing for both combination and dry skin.
Ideal skin type (Oily)

Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner – this toner is one of the best-selling in Korea, with brightening niacinamide, exfoliating salicylic acid combined with soothing Witch-hazel extract and youthful Swiftlet nest extract . This ultimate combination is ideal for acne prone skin of most types (dry, normal or oily). It is carefully combined to reduce redness, heal damaged skin and clear away excess oil that may be trapped in pores.

It is a life saver for skin that has become imbalanced. It is an exfoliating toner, so using it too much can lead to irritation, especially on oil-averse or sensitive skin types.
Ideal skin type (Normal, Acne-Prone)

COSRX P ropolis Synergy Toner – this toner helps even very dry skin achieve a soft glow that lasts throughout the day. With 72% black bee propolis extract melded with 10% honey extract, this toner provides a natural, vibrant boost to skin. It uses the properties of natural honey to provide a gentle hydration, reduce redness and inflammation and adds to skin’s natural barrier to protect against infection and pollution. If you wear make-up or heavier products that feel drying or damaging to your skin, putting on the propolis toner as a primer to start your day will defend your skin barrier and leave you with a day-long radiance.

This toner is best to treat signs of dry skin (i.e. tightness through the day, flaking, breaks in skin) and is best experienced in dry weather such as winter or sharp winds.
Ideal skin type (Dry, Flaky)

Missha Vita C Plus Brightening Toner – this toner is a powerhouse of vitamins to repair and prevent sun damage to skin, reduce fine lines and moisturize. This toner is 3% niacinamide and tranexamic acid (TXA), which work together to tackle blemishes and redness and bring unity to skin appearance.

The toner has a derivative of Vitamin C (more stable than raw Vitamin C), which helps neutralize free radicals and aids skin repair. This is all combined with hyaluronic acid, adenosine and ceramide to plump and hydrate skin. It adds a soothing additional step to a skincare routine and has a large bottle that lasts and is highly regarded for its ability to soften skin and protect against the effects of sun and pollutants.
Ideal skin type (Dry, Normal, Hyperpigmentation)

Dr Ceuracle Vegan K ombucha Tea Essence - this toner is heralded by its fans as the ultimate balancing toner. Mixed with carefully fermented kombucha, it is rich in probiotics to care for the skin barrier and soothing herbal extracts to calm inflamed, red skin. It is safe for acne prone skin, dry skin, combination skin and balances oily skin. It is silky soft on application and lightweight. It’s mixture of h ydrating glycerin, ceramides and sunflower oil provides quick absorption into skin and long-lasting hydration. This toner is a true “all skin types” product – as it works to balance any complication the user might be experiencing.

It doesn’t cause pilling (safe to wear under make-up), is non-greasy and does not trigger breakouts in the majority of users. It can be combined with the Dr Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Gel Cream for maximum benefit, with Vitamin B and a day-long, hydrated glow.
Ideal skin type (Any)

Toners are a big part of Korean skincare – although not always an essential part of every routine. If you feel however, that something is missing from your daily routine, your skin is being affected by other beauty products or you are looking to bring balance to your whole face – a good toner can be a wonderful sea change.

FAQs – Korean Toners

Are Korean skincare toners safe to use?
Yes, specifically Korean skincare toners are a very safe, soothing formulation. They are designed to be low irritation and balancing and very rarely contain alcohol or irritating agents. The goal is to hydrate and calm skin.

There can be additional ingredients that can irritate individual skin types – i.e. added retinol or seed oils, so it’s important to be conscious of what your skin might react to.

When should you use toner?
Toners can be used morning and night as preferred. As an exfoliant, it is best used to remove heavy make-up or sunscreen – so if you only want to use it once a day, evening is best. This also helps clear any pollutants from skin and prepare you for a restful sleep.

Can dry skin use a toner?
If you are smart with your selection – there are a great number of toners available on the market specifically for dry skin to soothe and hydrate. In our article, the mentioned Cosrx Propolis Toner and the Dr Ceuracle Kombucha Essence are both wonderful toners for dry skin to provide a boost of hydration and prepare skin for a deep moisturizer.

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Are Toners Expensive Water? Why Do We Need Toners and Why Are Korean Beauty Toners Special?

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