Choose the right tones for your skin type

Therefore, the right toner is important for your skin type

Using a good toner (facial water) as part of your skincare routine helps to care for the skin and restore its pH balance after cleansing. A toner can also act as a pore-tightening, hydrating, and refreshing agent by removing the last traces of makeup and impurities that may remain. With the K-beauty trend, toners have experienced something of a resurgence and have become one of the most sought-after products in the skincare routine. However, not all toners suit everyone; choosing the right toner for your specific skin type can make a big difference. Below, we guide you through the four most common skin types: normal, oily, dry, and sensitive, and which types of toners and ingredients usually work best for each.

Normal skin

A mild, balancing toner like Round Lab Dokdo Toner often suits normal skin well, as it hydrates without disturbing the skin's balance. Normal skin is neither particularly oily nor particularly dry, and is not unusually sensitive or acne-prone. It is in balance, and the goal of a toner for normal skin is primarily to maintain that balance. You with normal skin can use most products without major concerns, but it doesn't hurt to choose a toner that hydrates and nourishes to maintain the skin's moisture balance. A light exfoliating ingredient can also provide extra radiance without being too strong.

Good ingredients to look for for normal skin

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a moisture-binding star ingredient that can bind up to 1000 times its own weight in water. It deeply hydrates the skin and helps keep it soft and supple, perfect for maintaining normal skin's natural moisture balance.

AHA Acids (mild)

Low levels of AHA acid (e.g., lactic acid or glycolic acid) can gently exfoliate and provide glow. AHA acids remove old dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal, contributing to a more even skin tone and improved moisture retention in the skin. A toner with a mild AHA can thus help normal skin look clear and healthy without irritation.

Oily skin

A good exfoliating toner with BHA 2% (salicylic acid) that suits oily and acne-prone skin is BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner. Oily skin produces excess sebum, which can make the face look shiny and easily suffer from clogged pores, blackheads, and pimples. For an oily or acne-prone skin type, it is good to have a toner that helps control sebum production and keep the pores clean. Toners with astringent effects can reduce shine and balance the skin, and a light exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells so they do not clog the pores. Also, remember that even oily skin needs moisture; hydration is just as important for an oily skin type as it is for a dry one. Therefore, choose a light, non-oily toner that hydrates without making the skin shiny.

Good ingredients to look for in oily skin

BHA acid (salicylic acid)

A fat-soluble acid that penetrates the pores and dissolves sebum as well as removes excess oils. BHA acid counteracts clogged pores (goodbye blackheads!) and is a classic for oily and acne-prone skin. A toner with salicylic acid can keep the skin clear by preventing pimples and blackheads.

AHA acids

Water-soluble acids that exfoliate the surface of the skin and remove dead skin cells. For oily skin, mild AHA (like glycolic acid) can help speed up cell turnover and keep the skin smooth, as well as prevent dead cells from building up on the surface. The combination of AHA + BHA is popular in toners for oily skin, as it both cleans deeply and improves the texture of the skin surface.

Centella Asiatica

A soothing ingredient that can be worth its weight in gold if your skin also gets pimples or irritation. Centella Asiatica (also called cica) contains antioxidants and amino acids that help calm red, inflamed skin. In a toner for oily skin, centella can reduce redness and promote the healing of blemishes without adding any oiliness.

Dry skin

A moisturizing, milky toner with rice extract and ceramides like Anua Rice 70+ Toner gives dry skin a substantial hydration boost. Dry skin has low sebum production and can feel tight, flaky, or rough. It often lacks radiance and can itch or become irritated easily, and fine lines appear more prominently when the skin is dehydrated. For a dry skin type, hydration is essential; the skin craves moisture and nourishment. The toner you choose should therefore be packed with moisturizing and barrier-strengthening ingredients that can quickly relieve a thirsty and easily irritated skin. Avoid drying alcohol in toners, as it can worsen dryness. Instead, opt for a toner that truly saturates the skin with moisture and soothes any irritations.

Good ingredients to look for in dry skin

Hyaluronic acid

The number one moisture-binding expert for dry skin. Hyaluronic acid can bind moisture up to 1000 times its own weight, providing the skin with an intense moisture boost and plumping effect. A toner rich in hyaluronic acid helps dry skin regain elasticity and softness through deep hydration.

Mild exfoliants (AHA/PHA)

Dry skin can sometimes have a barrier of dead skin cells that prevents moisture from penetrating. Very gentle acids like lactic acid (an AHA) or PHA acids in low doses can help gently exfoliate away flaky areas and improve the skin's ability to retain moisture. The result is a smoother, softer skin where subsequent creams are more easily absorbed.

Centella Asiatica or panthenol

Dry skin is often also sensitive, so soothing ingredients are important. Centella Asiatica and provitamin B5 (panthenol) are examples of ingredients that can quickly calm irritation, redness, and strengthen the skin barrier. A toner with such ingredients provides both moisture and relief to dry, easily stressed skin.

Sensitive skin

Centella asiatica is a popular plant ingredient that acts anti-inflammatory and soothes sensitive skin. Sensitive skin is characterized by easily reacting with redness, stinging, or other discomforts when exposed to strong products or environmental factors. The skin may be thin or have a weakened barrier, and sometimes irritation can also lead to rashes or small pimples. If you have sensitive (or rosacea-prone) skin, it's important to be extra careful with your toner. Choose a product that is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and full of soothing agents; thankfully, many Korean toners are just that, rich in ingredients that care without irritating.

Good ingredients to look for in sensitive skin

Centella Asiatica

Sensitive skin loves Centella! This ingredient is known for reducing redness, inflammation, and helping the skin heal. Thanks to its content of antioxidants and amino acids, Centella is ideal for soothing sensitive, irritated, and inflamed skin. A toner with centella extract can provide immediate relief to flushed skin and strengthen the skin barrier over time.

Aloe vera and green tea

Natural extracts like aloe vera and green tea are also gentle favorites for sensitive skin. Aloe vera hydrates and cools the skin, while green tea provides antioxidants that can reduce irritation. These ingredients help to balance and soothe without the risk of irritation.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin

To hydrate sensitive skin without disrupting the balance, mild moisturizers are key. Hyaluronic acid binds moisture in the skin and glycerin draws moisture to the skin's surface, both are tolerant even on reactive skin. A simple, hydrating toner with these ingredients provides deep moisture to the skin and prevents it from feeling tight, without triggering redness. Sensitive skin generally benefits from 'less is more.' Therefore, keep your toner routine simple and avoid strong exfoliating acids (AHA/BHA) in daily toner use, saving such for special peeling steps when needed. By opting for gentle, soothing toners, you can help your sensitive skin become more balanced. Many Korean brands, such as Klairs or Anua, offer excellent mild toners without alcohol and fragrance that are specially adapted for sensitive skin.

Summary

Regardless of skin type, the purpose of the toner is to prepare the skin for upcoming steps and provide an initial dose of active ingredients.

• Normal skin can handle most things but can benefit from extra moisture and a bit of glow.
• Oily skin needs help to keep pores clean and shine under control.
• Dry skin thirsts for moisture and barrier support.
• Sensitive skin wants calm and peace with a mild, nurturing toner.

By choosing a toner that is tailored to your skin's needs with the right ingredients for your specific skin type, you give your skin the best conditions to stay healthy, balanced, and radiant. Take advantage of the ingredient list, feel what your skin thrives on, and don't hesitate to ask us for advice. With the right toner in your routine, the path to glowing skin becomes both easier and more fun!