The Best Toner for Your Skin Type — And Why You Need to Use One

Skipping this key step could mean the rest of your skincare routine isn’t as effective as it could be! Here is the best Korean toner for your skin type.

There are a lot of misconceptions about toners, one being that they don’t do much at all for your skin. Essentially, a toner is a water or gel-based liquid that cleanse your skin (yes, even after double-cleansing) and restore your skin’s natural pH balance, because after your regular cleanser, your face normally becomes more alkaline (aka more prone to damage and inflammation). Tones also prep your skin to better absorb the next skincare steps, and ultimately boost the overall efficacy of your skincare routine.

If you’re looking for the perfect toner that best suits your skin type – whether it’s dry, oily, acne-prone, sensitive or combination – here are some of our recommendations:

Best Toner for Dry Skin: An alcohol-free, water-based toner that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils is great for those with dry skin. Look for formulas with hydrating ingredients, like Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner, which has been enriched with more than 97% organic botanical extracts, including fermented Dandelion and Argan Oil to nourish the skin, leaving it dewy and deeply hydrated.

The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is another favourite for dry and sensitive skin types. It adds the right amount of hydration and soaks in quickly to the skin without irritating or aggravating sensitive skin.

Best Toner for Oily Skin: Look for a toner that gently exfoliates your skin while controlling oil production. The COSRX Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol is formulated with 60% Black Bee Propolis that help soothe, repair and hydrate the skin, and natural AHAs and BHAs that exfoliates dead skin cells and balances moisture retention to decrease sebum production.

Best Toner for Acne-Prone Skin: Toners that are designed to balance the pH of your skin are ideal for those with acne-prone skin. Look for formulas that contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid, like the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. This toner maintains the skin’s optimal pH level, while preventing the early development of whiteheads and blackheads.

Best Toner for Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, finding the gentlest toner on the market can be a struggle. A cult favourite for sensitive skin types is the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner, which is a hydrating and gentle toner that's formulated with no alcohol or parabens. The amino acids in this toner also help to strengthen your skin's protective barrier, and gently balances your skin's pH after cleansing. This Klairs toner is often referred to as the "best toner ever" because it provides deep hydration alongside healthy, glowing skin.

Best Toner for Combination Skin: For skin that’s both oily and dry, use a toner that will rebalance your skin’s pH and encourage cell turnover without drying out your skin. The Son & Park Beauty Water uses papaya extract to gently remove dead skin cells and debris after double-cleansing, while lavender water, rosewater, and orange fruit extract soothes and hydrates the skin. This product is also so versatile, you can use it in five different ways!

Do you have a favourite Korean toner? Let me know your favorite in the comments!