Like impossibly elegant sunscreens and bouncy, cloud-like moisturizers, you can thank the rise of Korean beauty (yet again) for the best hydrating toners. These formulations, which fine-tune your skin’s pH and replenish hydration, live somewhere between face toner and essence, and the hype behind them isn’t slowing down anytime soon. If anything, it’s actually growing, with more and more formulas arriving both stateside and from Korea.
While toners aren’t especially new—in fact, the American History Museum has one in its archives that dates back to 1930—the Korean emphasis on ample moisture gave rise to “milky” toners and more barrier-friendly formulations a few years ago. That’s a big deal, as toners of the past were known for being packed with alcohol, with an oftentimes drying effect on skin.
So, why not simply reach for an essence? Unlike the K-beauty mainstay, which is meant to restore moisture after cleansing and prep skin for skincare products to follow, toners balance the pH of skin—which is naturally acidic and critical for maintaining a healthy skin barrier. (In other words, it serves a different purpose.) And with the new hydrating toners, you can enjoy the best of both worlds, as well as healthier, more radiant skin. Scroll on for our favorites.
Best Overall: Laneige Cream Skin Refillable Toner & Moisturizer
Why We Love It: Formulated to offer the benefits of a moisturizing cream with the lightweight feel and quick absorption of a toner, this formula succeeds in delivering the best of both worlds. It “combines the benefits of a nourishing moisturizer with a lightweight texture of a toner,” says Dr. Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY, who calls out its fluid, milky base. Driving its benefits is a ceramide and peptide complex, which both bolster the skin barrier and result in firmer skin over time. Not surprisingly, it’s especially beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin, says Chang.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, white leaf tea
Best For: Normal-to-dry skin, mature skin
How to Use: After cleansing, dispense into hands and pat it into skin, layering as needed for additional hydration.
Best for Dull Skin: I’m From Rice Toner
Why We Love It: Chang is a fan of this bi-phase formula, which “is formulated with rice extract, offering both skin-softening emollients and skin-brightening ingredients,” she says, noting that it’s particularly helpful for people with dull or uneven skin tone. “When shaken, it becomes a milky hydrating fluid that leaves a silky finish without heaviness.”
Key Ingredients: Rice extract, rice bran extract, purslane extract, adenosine
Best For: Discoloration, brightening
How to Use: Shake well to emulsify the formulas, then dispense onto a cotton pad (or into your hands) and pat it into your skin.
Best for Dry Skin: PCA Skin Hydrating Face Toner
Why We Love It: One advantage of toners is that they offer extra cleansing power. This medical-grade formula is no exception, gently removing any excess sebum or grime that your cleanser may have missed. It’s also “packed with humectants like glycerin and sodium PCA, which act like water magnets to keep skin plump and balanced,” says Gohara. “It’s a great pick for those with dry or combination skin who want hydration without heaviness.” She recommends storing it in your fridge for an extra-refreshing feel.
Key Ingredients: Evening primrose oil, glycerin, watermelon, apple, and lentil fruit extracts
Best For: Dry or combination skin
How to Use: Morning and night, moisten a cotton pad and smooth it over your face and neck.
Best Under Makeup: Rhode Skin Glazing Milk
Why We Love It: This hydrating essence calms skin post-cleanse and sets the rest of your routine up for success. “Lightweight yet nourishing, it delivers barrier-loving ceramides and beta-glucan in a silky base that preps skin beautifully for serum or moisturizer,” says Gohara, who recommends layering it onto damp skin to lock in moisture. On top of that, it also offers long-lasting hydration and soothes irritated skin to reduce redness over time with the beta-glucan, a molecule that calms and moisturizes. It’s so gentle that it’s earned the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, beta-glucan, magnesium
Best For: Dry, sensitive, and irritated skin
How to Use: After cleansing, apply a generous amount to hands and pat it onto face, neck, and décolleté.
