If you’ve jumped on the Korean skin care trend (which isn’t really a “trend” as it is centuries old!), then you’re probably doing 5 or 10-step Korean Beauty routine every day. Which means, in addition to a cleanser, moisturizer and face mask, you need an effective hydrating toner, too.
But if you have ultra-sensitive and reactive skin just like me, you may be hesitant about using facial toner as many traditional toners have been linked to skin irritation or even causing dry skin, tightness and peeling off!
If you’ve struggled with sensitive skin that is easily irritated your whole life, Korean skincare might be the answer for helping you get smooth, glowing skin you’ve been dreaming of.
That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 6 best Korean toners for sensitive skin types that I had an opportunity to try – and they all suited my sensitive really well without any redness, dryness or breakouts.
I’ve broken them down based on you specific skin concerns: the best Korean toner for sensitive and acne-prone skin, the best Korean toner for sensitive and dry skin, Korean skin toners for reactive and oily skin etc., so you could pick the right one for your skin type!
If you’d like to see my ultimate list of the best toners for every skin type in 2023 (not only for sensitive type), check out this article.
6 Most Gentle & Safest Korean Toners For Sensitive Skin
Here are the best Korean toners for sensitive skin types. But because not all people who struggle with sensitive skin have also dry, flaky skin, you’ll find here the best Korean toner for oily skin or acne prone skin, too.
These are the safest and most gentle, non-irritating toners from the K-beauty market.
1. Round Lab Mugwort Calming Toner
Our verdict: Best K-beauty toner for sensitive skin & acne
For friends with acne-prone skin who are dealing with redness and breakouts, allow me to introduce Mugwort.
No, it’s not something out of the Harry Potter books, it’s a real plant (also called wild wormwood, chrysanthemum weed, common artemisia, and French tobacco).
As an edible tea, mugwort has been used for centuries to help with menstrual issues and digestive problems. As a facial toner it prevents breakouts and minimizes pores, making it the best choice for oily or acne-prone skin types.
Why You Will Love It
- High amount of mugwort
Each bottle contains 10,000 parts per million (ppm) of mugwort (labeled as Artemisia Vulgaris Extract in the key ingredients). Mugwort not only helps calm skin, but is also controls oil production – perfect for oily skin.
- Naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial
If you are facing acne-prone skin, you know how important it is to use ingredients that are anti-bacterial, and this is. It wipes away dead skin cells that could lead to breakouts without being harsh on your skin.
- Madecassoside
This fancy-sounding name is for a purified, powerful form of centella extract. It calms irritated skin and leaves you with a smooth canvas for your next skincare step: moisturizer.
Keep In Mind
From all K-beauty toners that I tried, my sensitive and reactive skin loved this one the most. However, keep in mind that this Korean toner has a formula with more ingredients than other products on my list.
Some of the chemicals are really beneficial (like Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, which helps regulate sebum production for clear skin).
Don’t knock it just because you don’t recognize all the names, but also know your skin type and what your sensitive skin can handle.
PRO TIP: If you have sensitive, irritated skin or compromised skin barrier, you need to adjust your whole beauty routine. Gentle toner is one step, but it’s also very important to follow up with proper moisturizer. Here you can see my ranking of the best Korean moisturizers for sensitive skin >>
2. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner For Sensitive Skin
Our verdict: Best alcohol-free toner for dry skin
It’s no secret that I like this Korean Skincare brand. Haruharu skincare products feature the natural benefits of rice, are vegan and free of parabens, mineral oils and other unwanted chemical ingredients.
This Haruharu Black Rice Toner features hyaluronic acid and the power of rice extract, making it the best Korean toner for sensitive, dry skin. If you have dry skin that is easily irritated or you have reactions, then choose this facial toner with its hypoallergenic formula.
Why You Will Love It
- Improves skin texture
For friends dealing with skin concerns like dark spots, the fermented black rice reduces pigmentation for a more even skin tone and smoother complexion.
- Improves skin elasticity
The ingredient, beta-glucan, is known to improve elasticity and helps with collagen production in the skin. Making this not only the best Korean toner for super dry skin, but also for aging skin, too.
- Proven non-irritating formula
They don’t just say it’s good for sensitive skin, they have a certificate to prove it! This has been clinically-tested to be non-irritating, anti-inflammatory for your skin.
Keep In Mind
This is a wonderful moisturizing toner, but it isn’t right for oily skin. If you have dry patches – use this, but if you want something that controls oil product, choose another product from this list.
PRO TIP: This K-beauty toner also comes in two versions: fragrance-free (which I’m reviewing here) and a beautifully scented version (which is not so suitable for sensitive skin).
If you have a very delicate skin, make sure you choose the unscented facial toner when shopping. If you’re skin is not so reactive, check out this Haruharu scented toner here. It’s still pretty gentle and contains only safe ingredients!
3. I’m From Rice Toner
Our verdict: Best Korean toner for sensitive skin & uneven tone
Another Korean treatment toner featuring the power of rice extract to hydrate and keep skin soft. The difference with this rice toner is that it features Niacinamide to brighten and smooth out skin for that healthy, radiant glow.
Why You Will Love It
- Boosts skin barrier
This ph-balanced formula is ideal for replenishing your natural skin barrier and acting, not only as a toner to wipe away dead skin cells, but also as a treatment toner for uber-dry skin.
- Power of rice
Ahh, the benefits of rice! Korean toners that feature rice extract are known to offer a soothing effect, be naturally anti-inflammatory, improve skin elasticity and offer anti-aging benefits with continued use.
Those with sensitive skin and a dry skin type should stick with the best Korean toners that feature the skin-healing power of rice for beautiful, supple skin.
Keep In Mind
The texture is a bit heavy compared to other toners, it’s more milky than watery. While the smooth texture might be great for your dry skin, if your skin issue is too much oil production, this might be a bit thick (go with this Benton Green Tea toner, instead).
One more thing: because it doesn’t have added chemicals in this skin-safe formula, some natural separation may occur. You should gently shake the bottle to mix up the toner before each use.
4. COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
Our verdict: Most convenient Korean beauty toner for sensitive skin
This Centella Water Toner is the best all-around facial toner and is suitable for all skin types. This hypoallergenic toner helps to keep skin supple and bright, without added fragrances or other nasties that could irritate sensitive skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Simple, soothing ingredients
Don’t you just love a short ingredients list? This one is short and sweet, with active ingredients like Sodium Hyaluronate and Panthenol that attract moisture, Centella and allantoin that improve skin texture and work to heal rough, itchy skin.
- No added fragrances or dyes
Sensitive skin types should always reach for fragrance-free products, and this simple skin toner soothes skin and helps clean out skin pores without risking irritation due to added chemicals.
- Comes in a convenient spray bottle
This moisturizing toner comes as a mist, in an easy-to-use pray bottle, so you don’t need to worry about pouring out too much. Just spray your face, dab with a cotton pad, and watch your skin get that healthy glow.
- Mineral water infused with centella
The mineral water used in this facial toner is taken from fresh water sources on Korean’s beautiful Jeju Island and blended with powerful centella, which has been used in traditional skin care for centuries due to its natural healing properties.
Keep In Mind
Because this is so popular, scammers have made fake replicas of this skin toner. Make sure you’re ordering the authentic Centella Water product (it should arrive sealed and not carry any scent).
If a deal sounds too good to be true, you may be dealing with a fake product.
5. Benton Deep Green Tea Toner
Our verdict: Best Korean toner for sensitive and oily skin typesWhy You Will Love It
- Composed of 50% green tea
- Gentle exfoliation
- No nasties
Keep In Mind
The caffeine of green tea can lead to dryness, so don’t use this if you’re already dealing with dry skin.6. ONE THING Hyaluronic Acid Complex
Our verdict: Best Korean facial toner for sensitive & dehydrated skin
More than a toner, ONE THING Hyaluronic Acid complex has a plethora of skin benefits, from reducing fine lines, to deeply hydrating dry skin.
Why You Will Love It
- Multipurpose
This is more than a toner, you can add it to your skin serums or mix with a face mask to get more skin benefits and keep your skin hydrated.
- Super moisturizing
Of all the best Korean toners on this list, this one, full of hyaluronic acid is the most moisturizing. It is incredible for dry skin.
- Skin tightening and plumping
Hyaluronic acid is praised for its ability to increase skin firmness and make skin appear fuller, plumper, too(which is awesome for reducing wrinkles).
Keep In Mind
I love that the product has so few ingredients, but advertising as “single-ingredient’ or only containing ‘one ingredient’ is misleading.
Here is full ingredients list: Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water.
Almost all the ingredients are humectants (which attract and retain water to keep skin hydrated), which is amazing. But I wish they wouldn’t suggest it’s a “one ingredient” product.
Final Verdict: Which Korean Toner Is Best For Sensitive Skin?
While all of these best Korean toners are wonderful choices if you’re dealing with reactive skin, I think the best Korean toner for sensitive skin is this Round Lab Mugwort Toner.
It’s basically suitable for all skin types. The simple, natural ingredients list makes it a winner and the high amount of skin-soothing Mugwort works magic for sensitive skin types.
Korean Toner For Sensitive Skin – FAQ
What’s the biggest difference between Korean toners for sensitive skin and traditional toners?
Many basic toners made by American brands are quite drying on the skin. That’s why I recommend using a hydrating Korean toner for healthy skin.
Should People With Sensitive Skin Use Toner?
Using a toner is part of a multi-step skincare routine. It helps to prep skin to receive moisturizers after a good cleanse. If you have sensitive skin it’s a good idea to use a hydrating toner to:
- Prep your skin to retain moisture when you add a moisturizer as the next step in your skin routine.
- Calm the skin and reduce irritation. Over time, it can help improve skin tone and texture.
A toner helps remove impurities and excess dirt that your facial cleanser may have left behind. This way you don’t risk clogged pores when you add a hydrating cream or night-time moisturizer on your skin.
What Type Of Toner Should I Use For Sensitive Skin?
The best Korean toners are alcohol-free and fragrance-free, too. Choose a skin toner that will protect skin’s natural barrier, and if you have sensitive skin it should be hypoallergenic and contain ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties, too.
If you are dealing with sensitive skin or other skin concerns, you want a gentle, refreshing toner that doesn’t disrupt skin’s natural oils, nor is too heavy as the next step in a Korean skincare routine is moisturizer.
Best Ingredients For Sensitive Skin
1. Hyaluronic acid – ideal for all skin types, including combination skin and uneven skin tone. Most beneficial for dry and mature skin.
2. Mugwort – if you have problems with acne and blemishes.
3. PHA – use if you have oily skin.
4. Centella – perfect for soothing inflamed skin and trading skin irritation for bright, radiant skin.
5. Green tea extract – great for keeping skin fresh and restoring skin’s ph balance if it’s been thrown out of wack by products that are causing irritation.
6. Rice extracts – Some Korean toners for sensitive skin feature natural ingredients like rice bran oil or fermented rice extract. Rice is wonderful to treat irritated skin and act as an intensive hydrating toner. Reach for products with rice if you struggle with skin dryness or your sensitive skin is easily irritated.
Ingredients To Avoid If You Have Sensitive Skin
1. Synthetic fragrances – Those with sensitive skin types should choose fragrance-free products, or ones with only natural fragrances occurring.
2. Sulfates – You likely won’t find sulfates in a toner, as they are generally used as a foaming agent, such as in a facial cleanser.
Look at the full ingredients of you facial cleanser for anything ending in ‘sulfate’, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate.
Sulfates can throw off your skin’s natural ph balance and contribute to irritated skin or, over time, an uneven skin texture because of a lack of ph balance.
3. Disodium EDTA – This is a preservative, derived from formaldehyde (a known carcinogen), and a form of cyanide (which is a toxin). The purpose of Disodium EDTA is as a preservative, preventing discoloration or binding of certain chemicals.
This particular chemical (EDTA) is still undergoing testing to see if is a harmful chemical, but being made from formaldehyde and sodium cyanide makes it a “no” in my book. There are much safer, natural products available on this list of Korean toners.
4. Phenoxyethanol – this is a stabilizer found in cosmetics and has been linked to severe dry skin, eczema, and dangerous allergic reactions. If you have sensitive skin, make sure to read the ingredients and avoid this chemical.
5. Essential Oils – not all essential oils are bad for your skin. But be aware that some types of essential oils are not good to use on sensitive, delicate skin.
Particularly, citrus oils like grapefruit, lemon and orange can contribute to dry skin. Avoid these natural ingredients for the best moisturizing toner for sensitive skin.
The purpose of this article is informative and entertaining. It’s not a substitute for medical consultation or medical care. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Safety should be your priority. This article contains affiliate links.
All pictures in this article with YouAreBeautie logo belong to YouAreBeautie.com and were taken by the owner of this website. All these images are copyright-protected. Sources of other pictures:
- Pictures of I’m From Rice Toner belong to I’m From Brand (Wishtrend). Source: https://wishtrend.com/
- Pictures of Benton Toner belong to Benton Cosmetics Brand. Source: https://bentoncosmetic.us/
- Pictures of One Thing Toner belong to One Thing Brand. Source: https://www.instagram.com/onething_official/