Lest you thought we forgot about everyone else, who doesn't have dry and dehydrated or oily and acne-prone skin—fear not. The final installment in our exhaustive guide to Korean toners covers combination skin, normal skin, skin in need of brightening—and look besides the names of each product as we've noted when a toner is also great for those of you looking for anti-aging routines.
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The necessity of toners is often questioned, but the truth is, these liquid formulas, meant for use right after cleansing, are indeed essential.
Oftentimes, people assume that cleansed skin + moisturizer is all that you need. But if you know even just a bit about K-Beauty, then you know that the Peach & Lily approach is a bit different (to say the least)! While many toners, especially Western ones, are traditionally astringent, Korean toners take a different approach to the category. Even toners for acne-prone & oily skin make sure to hydrate the skin too, never stripping it of the essential natural oils our skin creates.
In Korea, beauty is ritual—and toner is the natural step following a double cleanse.
Better yet, toners can help to tighten the pores (minimizing their appearance) and control oil production. They remove dead skin cells (and any remaining debris and residue post-cleanse). Many also help brighten! And yes, they can also help tighten the pores and control oil production.
Of course, like with all skin care products, toners do not come one size fits all. Here at Peach & Lily we’ve curated a variety, and we're sure there's one you will love. Of course, should you need any more help selecting which is best for your skin, you can always #AskLily—just email us at hello@peachandlily.com.
For Combination Skin
Aromatica, Sea Daffodil Aqua Toner
Aromatica’s Sea Daffodil collection (which also includes a foaming cleanser, gel cream, and a sheet mask!) is a standby for many of our combination skin customers. And the toner is perhaps the most popular piece. Sea Daffodil is a star ingredient which helps fade discoloration and prevent sun spots. But every other ingredient in this formulation is just as intentional and efficacious. Soothe with hydrating, calming aloe and adenosine which also smoothes fine lines, brightens, and encourages cell regeneration. Glycerin alleviates dehydrated skin and allantoin conditions the skin. Finally, botanical extracts (lemon oil, orange peel oil, bergamot oil) are brightening, astringent, and mattifying—helping to keep the oily spots clear of blemishes and banish shine.
Aromatica, Rosemary Refresh Toner
Aromatica’s nontoxic formulations are some of our favorites due to their gentle, natural formulations. The rosemary toner is a great choice for combination skin, as rosemary itself is antibacterial, absorbs excess oil, and eases irritation. Hydrate and soothe with aloe and glycerin. Soothe finicky skin with antioxidant chamomile.
For Dull Skin
Be The Skin, Purifying White Waterful Toner
Be The Skin’s formulas are bouquets of carefully chosen botanical extracts and this one contains ingredients that brighten and revitalize dull skin: peony extract, niacinamide, witch hazel, and licorice all work towards this goal. Antioxidant rich green tea, hydrating glycerin, and antibacterial, antiinflammatory thyme complete the package, preparing your skin for essence, and all the subsequent steps of your regimen.
Aromatica, Orange Blossom Toner (+ uneven texture)
The namesake orange blossom brightens and absorbs excess oil, and smells like blend of citrus (yes, orange) and subtle floral notes. Eucalyptus sloughs away dead skin cells, leaving the skin texture brightened and evened out. Skin is hydrated with aloe and soothed with chamomile.
Shangpree, Bitgoa Hue Essence Toner (+ antiaging) (+ an essence)
While this formula is a 2-in-1 “essence toner,” there is nothing that feels “time-saving” or utilitarian about it. This slightly milky formula smells herbal and the liquid silk texture feels spa-like even in the most rushed circumstances of application. It’s hydrating and anti-aging—but most of all it concentrates on revitalizing dull or lacklustre complexions. A blend of incredible, natural fermented ingredients (e.g. lotus, soybean, pomegranate, rice, pumpkin, milk, rye, and ginseng root) helps you achieve your most radiant skin. Collagen-boosting niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid round out the formula.
For Normal Skin/All Skin Types
Be The Skin, Botanical Nutrition Toner
This is the perfect toner for skin care newbies—and those #blessed with well-behaving, even-keeled skin. It keeps things in check—even if you’ve got normal skin—Still. Use. a. Toner. Witch hazel balances sebum and keeps natural oils in check. It’s also anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, eases irritation, and tightens the pores. Be The Skin is masterful when it comes to understanding just how hard working, multi-tasking and effective botanical extracts can be. Hyaluronic acid keeps the skin hydrated, and gets that hydration deep into the skin. As for that general skin nutrition? Antioxidant bay leaf is rich in vitamin C, and renews and heals the skin.
Lagom, Cellus Mist Toner (normal, combination, oily, dehydrated)
Our newest brand curation packaged their toner in this convenient, and chic chubby spray. It’s so easy, there’s literally no excuse not to spritz before the rest of your skin care. (Literal) hero ingredient DermaFlux hydrates the skin via Nobel-Prize winning aquaporin technology. Antioxidants (grapefruit, bergamot, orange oil, green tea, rose oil) are abundant and protect the skin from pollution and environmental damage (which leads to visible signs of aging).
Aromatica, Lavender Relaxing Toner (sensitive, combination, oily, dry)
This watery lavender toner lives up to its name—it is relaxing. In fact, the scent feels like a trip to Provence. Lavender itself is antiseptic, balances sebum, and calms the skin. Additional botanicals hydrate (USDA approved organic aloe vera) and soothe (chamomile).
