Toners – Korea's favorite product you shouldn't skip.
Toners , better known as facial toners in the West, are a product that we hear many people have a hard time understanding and therefore have many questions about. This blog post is here to clarify the meaning and actual function of the product in the Korean skincare routine and try to convince you why you should start prioritizing one of Korea's super-hyped products, namely toner!
The West vs. South Korea.
If you’ve been taught that toners are to be applied to a cotton pad to remove the last of your makeup after cleansing, this is the Western way of using a toner. The Korean use of toner is completely different. A toner is not considered a cleansing product in the Korean skincare routine (thanks to double cleansing), but rather a hydrating and balancing product that should be applied to the hands and gently patted into several layers when the skin is at its cleanest to prepare the skin’s surface for the essence, serum, and creams to come. A Korean toner should not contain drying alcohols like some traditional Western products can.
What is the purpose of a toner?
The main purpose of a Korean toner is to hydrate the skin. Imagine your skin surface is like a dry, hard sponge, what would happen if you dripped a drop of serum on it or applied a little cream on it? Not much, the product would stay on the surface and eventually maybe start to penetrate and sink into the skin.
Now imagine that your skin surface is a damp sponge that is soft and can be squeezed out of a lot of liquid. What happens if you drip serum or put a cream on the moistened sponge? It absorbs and soaks up the product. It is the same with the skin, the more moisturized it is, the better it can absorb subsequent products such as essence, serum and emollient creams.
pH value and toners.
A Korean toner also has the task of balancing the skin to its normal pH value. The pH value refers to how acidic or basic a substance (in this case the skin) is. The skin has a pH value of 4.5-5.5, which makes it slightly acidic, while neutral pH is around 7. When we wash our face with water, this has a value of around 7-9, which is slightly alkaline. When the skin's acid mantle (your skin barrier) is disrupted, the skin can become unbalanced, so a toner restores the skin to its natural starting point where it thrives and feels its best.
How do you apply a toner?
According to the Korean skincare routine, toner comes as step number 3 after double cleansing. Double cleansing is not necessary for everyone in the morning routine and then toner can be applied after the first cleanse as step number 2. Pour a little product into the palms of your hands and warm the product between your hands before gently patting or pressing it into the skin.
Layer-on-layer and 7 Skin Method.
A toner has a light, runny consistency that can be applied in several layers to deeply hydrate the skin! Did you know that in Korea, the words "toner" and "skin" are synonymous?
Do this:
Apply a few drops of toner to the palm of your hand, gently pat into the skin after cleansing.
Just before it has completely absorbed, apply the next layer in the same way.
The skin should never have time to dry completely to really boost moisture levels for a dewy glow.
Repeat as many times as you want, up to 7 times and you have completed the 7 Skin Method!
You can apply as many layers as you want and have time for, and of course you can mix different toners with different effects to suit your skin type!
Glass skin effect with tones.
On cleansed skin - apply up to 5-7 thin layers of your favorite toner for the coveted “glass skin” look on the skin. Follow with a hydrating essence, serum and then a softening cream to encapsulate all the previous skincare steps.
Toners containing acids should only be applied in one layer but can then be combined with a moisturizing toner. It is important to remember not to combine two different exfoliating toners at the same time. Acids should be used sparingly, 1-3 evenings a week depending on skin type. The more resistant the skin, the more often, the more sensitive the less often.
Two exfoliating toners that both you and we love are Saturday Skin Pore Clarifying Toner and By Wishtrend 5% skin Prep Water.
GLOWiD recommends toners:
All skin types benefit from a toner, not just dry skin. Dry, mature, combination, oily, acne-prone, sensitive, etc. There's something for everyone. Below are some of our recommendations and favorites.
Dry skin: Dr. Ceuracle Hyal Reyouth Toner – a slightly more viscous toner with 6 different forms of hyaluronic acid. This ingredient loves water and has the ability to bind 1000 times its own weight in water. It will attract moisture from your surroundings so apply this to damp skin! It will also boost your own moisture levels as hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that we are born with.
Mature skin: Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner from COSRX – A hydrating toner with propolis, an antioxidant-rich ingredient that protects cells and provides plenty of nourishment to the skin. Propolis also gives a fantastic glow to dull and lifeless skin.
Combination skin: Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner – A classic that suits all skin types as it balances the pH value and at the same time soothes with the help of amino acids (building blocks of proteins). It is also available in unscented for those who wish it. A perfect product to have as your all-round toner to mix with other toners.
Oily skin: Dr. Ceuracle 5 alpha Control Clearing Toner – contains witch hazel which has a calming and slightly degreasing effect on oily skin along with “5 alpha hormone” which reduces and balances sebum production in the skin. This product has a mattifying effect on a shiny surface.
Acne-prone : Hyggee Own Vegan Calming Toner – a super light, mild exfoliating toner that contains low levels of LHA and BHA acid (below 2%) that is suitable for sensitive acne-prone skin as it works to regulate sebum, cleanse and soothe!
Sensitive : Dr. Ceuracle Cica Regen 92 Toner – A completely fragrance-free toner containing the super ingredient Centella asiatica / cica that repairs and soothes along with panthenol that reduces redness and irritation and strengthens the skin barrier.
Please contact our Authorized Skin Therapists with any questions regarding your skin type and our product range, we will be happy to help you! Email us at info@glowid.se
I hope you learned a lot of valuable information about this popular skincare product, toner!
Hugs team GLOWiD!
