The necessity of toners if 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.
Furthermore, 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! 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 in this guide we’ll go over the best for oily & acne-prone skin. 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.
Mizon, AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner (+ antiaging)
This toner has a cult-following—so much so that when it temporarily went MIA due to production issues in Korea, loyal fans begged us, as Mizon’s only licensed U.S. distributor, to bring it back. This is an exfoliating toner, making it a great choice for oily/acne-prone skin. It contains salicylic acid (classified as a BHA) which is helpful for blackheads as it penetrates below the skin’s surface to provide a deeper pore cleanse. Papaya extract is also good for this, in addition to removing dead skin, brightening, and balancing oil production. As for the LHA, lactic acid resurfaces the skin, leaving it brighter. But this toner isn’t all about purifying—arnica is healing and nourishing and glycerin adds hydration, so your skin won’t feel stripped.
Aromatica, Tea Tree Balancing Toner
Tea tree is one of nature’s greatest weapons against acne. This extract kills bacteria that causes acne, but does so gently—and in fact is actually soothing to the skin. This key ingredient is coupled with a 93% concentration of super-soother, aloe vera, which also cools and eases redness. Natural extracts are, unsurprisingly, plentiful in this aromatica formula—there’s antioxidant rosemary, soothing chamomile and verbena, which is also smoothing. Niacinamide helps fight acne scarring, stimulates collagen, and strengthens the skin’s barrier, while anti-inflammatory adenosine speeds up cell regeneration.
Be The Skin, Botanical Pore Toner
This is another Peach & Lily cult-classic. Customers are so loyal to this toner that they buy in bulk, so it’s always flying off our virtual shelves. Much more watery than its orange sibling for dry skin, it shares a similarly intoxicatingly delicious scent. Witch hazel is a must-have ingredient for oily & acne-prone skin types: it eases irritation, absorbs excess oil, and tightens the pores. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory soybean ferment extract and thyme extract soothe and protect the skin. Soybean ferment extract also stimulates the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid (oily skin needs hydration too!), and thyme extract brightens and eases inflammation. Now, here’s where it gets fun. K-Beauty is big on fermented ingredients and this one does not disappoint. Fermented mistletoe extract is an antioxidant, anti-bacterial healing ingredient. Imperata cylindrica root ferment extract is also antioxidant rich and hydrating.
