Korean skincare has taken over the skincare industry. It’s arguably better for keeping the skin barrier strong and healthy. But not all skincare is made equally. Not all toners are meant for or are suitable for brown skin tones. In this blog post, I’ll give you the best Korean toners for brown and medium skin tones.
Exfoliating Korean Toners
Acne Prone Skin Types
Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner
If you have acne-prone skin and are looking for an exfoliating Korean toner, then the Peach Slices ones are calling your name. This is a gentle, but potent exfoliating toner with a combination of AHA and BHA acids. It works well for oily, acne-prone skin.
If you tried Paula’s Choice 2% BHA toner or something similar but didn’t love it, you’ll appreciate this Korean toner very much. It is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and has no scent. Within seconds you can no longer feel in on your skin, but you’ll wake up with smooth, soft skin.
Acne Prone Sensitive Skin Types
The Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA
If you have acne-prone skin but can’t handle more aggressive exfoliating toners, try this Beauty of Joseon Korean toner. It is a gentler, less irritating version of Peach slices with a blend of acids. The percentage of acids is lower, making it perfect for sensitive acne-prone skin, or exfoliating toner newbies. I love using this one to keep my acne at bay.
Sensitive Skin Types
Haruharu Wonder Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum
Even if you have sensitive skin, you should still be exfoliating. However, many toners can be too hard for your skin type, leaving your skin red and irritated. Try the Haruharu Korean toner serum to achieve smooth skin. This contains the gentlest acid, PHA, and a concentration that won’t irritate your skin. This Korean toner has enough punch to get rid of dead skin cells without going overboard.
Hydrating Korean Toners
Oily Skin Types
The Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
If you have oily skin, you will love the Beauty of Joseon ginseng toner. With oily skin, while we have enough oils and moisture, we sometimes lack hydration. This Korean toner is the perfect drink of water that leaves your skin feeling fresh and hydrated without any extra weight. It’s fast absorbing and leaves no residue on the skin. Plus the niacinamide helps control oil throughout the day.
Normal Skin Types
If you have normal to oily skin and want added hydration each day, try out the Pyunkang Yul Korean toner. This is my favorite Korean essence to use to maintain my already happy, healthy skin. It has a tiny bit thicker consistency than the ginseng toner above, but still incredibly lightweight and fast absorbing. It is a toner that you can use year-round to keep up with hydration on your skin.
Dry Skin Types
Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer
If you have a drier skin type, the Laneige toner is a must-try. This milky, thicker Korean essence consistency provides both hydration and moisturizer. As an oily skin type, you might be able to get away with just this toner and no moisturizer in the summer because of the ingredients. This is a great Korean toner if moisturizer isn’t always enough.
Dehydrated Skin Types
Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Kombucha Tea Essence
Try this Korean toner if you have dehydrated skin. Dehydrated skin feels tight and dull even after your skincare routine. Oily skin types can often have dehydrated skin because of the imbalance in types of oil. The dual-phase of this Korean toner means it has an essence at the bottom and a cream layer at the top. This works as a one-and-done, all-in-one skincare product. It’s a toner, essence, and cream in a single product.
Final Thoughts
I get the struggle of finding Korean toners that work for brown skin. There is a wide range of these Korean essences and Korean toners on the market, and it gets hard to figure out what will work. I hope this blog post was helpful. If so, comment below!
With love,
Aditi <3
Aditi Rani – Figuring Out Life in Your Twenties
*Disclaimer: This is not professional advice. Some links are affiliate. By clicking and/or purchasing, I may receive a commission. It does not alter the price or change your buyer experience.