What Is A Toner?

A facial toner is essentially a water-based skincare product that mildly cleanses the skin and shrinks the pores. It is an in-between step in your skincare routine that comes after cleansing and before moisturizing. Toners have evolved from being basic hydrating sprays to complex formulations that address different skincare concerns, such as acne, dryness, redness, inflammation, dark spots, and sebum control.

How To Use A Toner?

Once you have cleansed your face with a cleanser, soak a cotton pad with the toner solution and wipe it across your entire face, neck, and chest area. Alternatively, you can also pour a few drops of the toner on your palm and gently dab it across your face or use a spray bottle to spritz it all over. Let’s now look at the best Korean toners for acne-prone skin.

9 Best Korean Toners For Acne-Prone Skin

1. Best Gentle:STOPClear Face & Body Toner

The A.STOPClear Face & Body Toner is designed to control excess oil on the face and body, heal existing acne, and prevent the appearance of new pimples. It is formulated with raspberry extract, rich in glycolic acid, vitamin C, and antioxidants, to remove dead skin cells from the skin surface and make it smoother. The salicylate acid-rich white willow bark extract unclogs pores, and the propolis extract soothes irritated skin. This multi-functional full-body toner can heal acne around the face, chest, back, legs, shoulders, thighs, and buttocks. Key Ingredients: Raspberry extract, White willow bark extract, and Propolis extract Pros

Gentle Non-irritating Pleasant scent Alcohol-free PEG-free Dermatologist-tested

Cons

May leave a film.

2. Best Hypoallergenic:IOPE Derma Trouble Toner

The IOPE Derma Trouble Toner’s lightweight and gentle formula is custom-made to target acne and other skin concerns, making it the best Korean toner for oily and acne-prone skin. It unclogs pores and reduces dark spots to revitalize dull skin. This toner is infused with willow bark extract that targets acne, controls excess oil production, and soothes irritation. It also contains peppermint extract that heals the skin and keeps it smooth and rejuvenated all day long. Key Ingredients: Peppermint extract and Willow bark extract Pros

Oil-free Imparts glow Gentle Hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Mineral oil-free Fragrance-free

Cons

Expensive

3. Best Vegan:Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner

The Pyunkang Yul Acne Toner is a multi-functional astringent that addresses multiple skin concerns. It is the best Korean toner for acne-prone and sensitive skin due to its incredible calming properties. The Asiatic pennywort and tiger lily in the formula lends it anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This duo works together with the Centella Asiatica extract to soothe skin irritation and minimize pores. The copper tripeptide helps in regenerating damaged skin. The white willow bark extract in the toner contains natural salicylic acid and tannins to gently exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, boost cell turnover, and target acne breakouts. Other ingredients like green tea, niacinamide, and chamomile flower extract control excess sebum, heal damage and soothe the skin. Key Ingredients: White willow bark extract, Green tea extract, Chamomile extract, Asiatic pennywort, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica extract, Copper Tripeptide, and Tiger lily Pros

Non-drying Gentle Non-greasy Vegan Cruelty-free Alcohol-free Fragrance-free Colorant-free

Cons None

4. Best Lightweight:COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive

The COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive is designed to target acne and heal your skin for an overall healthy appearance. It is infused with propolis extract, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, to treat infected and cystic acne. It also hydrates the skin. While zinc PCA calms irritation and provides protection from external aggressors, the plant-derived alcohol exfoliates dead skin cells and controls excess sebum production. This toner is powered by the exclusive CentellAC-Rx Complex that soothes irritation, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, maintains its pH balance, and evens out the skin tone. Key Ingredients: Propolis extract, Zinc PCA, Plant-derived alcohol, and Centella-Rx Complex Pros

Gentle No redness or irritation Lightweight Paraben-free Cruelty-free

Cons

Contains alcohol Expensive

5. Best Non-Drying:belif Problem Solution Toner

The Problem-Solution Toner from Belief is a gentle herbal formula suitable for acne-prone skin. It is infused with tea tree oil and willow bark extract that prevent breakouts and naturally exfoliate the skin to make it look clearer. This skin-softening solution restores the skin pH level and tones down redness, giving your skin a silky-smooth appearance. Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil and Willow bark extract Pros

Alcohol-free Lightweight Non-drying Gentle A little goes a long way

Cons None

6. Best Brightening:One Thing Citrus Unshiu Fruit Extract

The One Thing Citrus Unshiu Fruit Extract is a 100% organic toner with citrus unshiu fruit extract from Jeju island. It is filled with vitamin C, polyphenol, and flavonoids that improve skin tone and reduce blemishes. The citrus unshiu fruit extract contains hyaluronic acid to lock moisture in the skin. Key Ingredients: Citrus unshiu fruit extract Pros

Mild fragrance Brightens the skin Vegan Cruelty-free

Cons

May cause a tingling sensation.

7. Best Exfoliating Formula:Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Peeling Pad Toner

The Papa Recipe Eggplant Clearing Peeling Pad Toner is a soft and moisturizing exfoliator designed for acne-prone, sensitive skin. The 100% naturally derived, vegan viscose pads help in the gentle exfoliation of dead skin cells. They are infused with eggplant, tea tree leaf, and birch sap extract that moisturizes your skin and soothes irritation. These toner pads also contain a blend of fruit-derived AHA, BHA, and PHA that targets dead skin cells and improves nutrient absorption. Key Ingredients: Eggplant extract, Tea tree leaf extract, Birch sap extract, and AHA Fruits Complex Pros

100% vegan Soft Large size for full coverage

Cons

Strong scent Contains alcohol

8. Best Value For Money:BE PLAIN Chamomile pH-Balanced Toner

4.5 BUY ON AMAZON | $20.99 This toner from BE PLAIN is gentle, lightweight, and designed to restore the natural pH balance of the skin while deeply hydrating it. It is enriched with French chamomile flower extract that calms irritation, prevents breakouts, reduces acne, targets discoloration, and soothes and nourishes the skin for a natural glow. The Centella Asiatica extract strengthens and calms sensitive skin, promotes healing, and prevents future scarring and new blemishes without stripping the skin and making it dry. Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica extract and French chamomile flower extract Pros

Lightweight Gentle pH-balanced SLES-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Value for money

Cons None

9. Best Nourishing Formula:Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

4.4 Image: Pyunkang Yul BUY ON AMAZON | $10.08 The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner has a deeply nourishing and clean formula that hydrates and revitalizes dry skin. It contains milk vetch root extract, which is deeply absorbed into the skin to improve skin vitality and elasticity. It also has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that calm troubled skin. Key Ingredients: Milkvetch root extract Pros

Non-irritating A little goes a long way Absorbed quickly Vegan Fragrance-free Color-free

Cons None Korean skincares are taking over the world especially because of their elaborate and extremely nourishing products. One of the most important steps in a Korean skincare routine or any other skincare routine, is the toner. Toners are used to clean dirt and oils from the pores, balance your skin’s PH level and help with acne. So, here is how you can choose a toner from your favorite Korean skincare brand to help with acne.

Points To Remember While Buying The Best Korean Toner For Acne-Prone Skin

Ingredients Choose toners with AHAs such as salicylic acid. AHAs act as gentle exfoliators that can unclog pores and remove dirt and oil from the face. They help you in achieving a clear and acne-free skin. A toner with AHAs will ensure a clean face without being harsh on the skin. Opt for toners with vitamin C, tea tree oil, and aloe vera. Alcohols in toners can be extremely drying and rip the skin’s natural oil making it irritated and flaky. If you have acne-prone skin, it is best to choose a gentle formula that won’t cause any pain or discomfort. Skin Type If you have dry and acne-prone skin, choose toners that can keep your skin from becoming too cracked and flaky with a buildup of dead skin cells. The toner should keep peeling, redness, and itchiness at bay. People with oily and acne-prone skin should opt for non-comedogenic formulas that can keep pores clean and control excess sebum. Formula If you have acne-prone skin, toners which are heavy and oil based can do more harm than good. Go for toners that are light and gentle and will not feel sticky on your skin and irritate your acne.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

The author of this post, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach. After thorough research and an extensive read of many different products, she recommends these listed best Korean toners for oily skin. She also adds that these products help you reach your skincare goals faster. These toners are a must-have for oily skin. They are non-comedogenic, non-greasy, and are perfect for daily use. Are toners good for acne-prone skin? Absolutely! Using a toner for acne-prone skin is an ideal way to remove impurities, nourish the skin, and tighten the pores. What happens if you use toner every day? Toners are gentle on the skin. You can use it once or twice every day to remove dirt and pollution from the skin. It also helps in shrinking the pores and improving skin texture. How long do I leave the toner on my face? Toner gets absorbed into the skin within minutes as they are water-based and skin-friendly. Leave it on and apply other skin care products like serum and moisturizer. How do I know if my toner is working? The results of using toner are not seen immediately. The results are only visible after 1 to 2 weeks of regular use. The skin starts appearing softer, brighter, and smoother. Can toners make acne worse? Alcohol-based toners can trigger acne and also increase the risk of breakouts, especially on acne-prone or sensitive skin types. However, if you use acne-friendly toner, they will instead be beneficial to the skin. Why am I getting pimples after using a toner? Adding new skin care products to your skin care routine can lead to breakouts or skin flaking. This process is called purging. This is quite normal, and will only exist for a short term. However, if you have acne-prone skin, always use an alcohol-free toner.

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