aprilskin toner pad — Image Credit: @aprilskin_korea

If you have a Korean skincare routine, chances are high that you already know about the importance of toners as a crucial step in K-beauty and have tried some of the pricier or more affordable Korean toners out there. So today, let me introduce you to my top 10 K-beauty toners (many of them are best sellers in South Korea!) that are loved and recommended on global, as well as Korean skin care TikTok in 2024.

Toners featured:

1. MEDIHEAL Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad

2. Isntree: Onion Newpair Essence Toner

3. APRILSKIN: Carrotene IPMP Instant Calming Serum Pads

4. Torriden: DIVE IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner

5. Numbuzin: No. 3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

6. Abib: Heartleaf Calming Toner Skin Booster

7. I'm From: Rice Toner

8. Pyunkang Yul: Essence Toner

9. Dr.G: Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner

10. Round Lab: 1025 Dokdo Toner

Disclaimer: This is an independent blog post that expresses my professional opinion as a cosmetics marketer. None of the mentioned brands compensated me for reviewing their products. I was not sponsored to write this post nor received or accepted any products/PR packages.

MEDIHEAL

Retinol Collagen Lifting Pad

Skin Concern: First fine lines & wrinkles (especially crow’s feet & smile lines) + sagging skin (hi jowls!)

Effect: This is one of the most interesting anti aging skincare products I've seen launch in recent months: Not because of its active ingredient, retinol, which we all love, but because of how these toner pads utilize the structure of the pad to achieve a temporary lifting, firming effect. Whether this is a gimmick or not, you will have to try it for yourself but I've seen many positive (unsponsored of course!) reviews on TikTok and rave reviews on Powder Room, one of Korea's online beauty platforms also make it a favorite of skincare nerds in Seoul and beyond.
Application: While holding down one end of the pad, gently stretch and apply it in an upward manner so that the area of the skin you attach it is lifted ever so slightly. Layering, especially cross-layering the pads into a patch mask will give you an even more powerful tightening effect. If you're just getting started with retinol, I wouldn't recommend daily use – start incorporating the pads into your Korean skincare routine once per week at first and slowly work your way up as your skin gets used to this potent active.
Product feel: The vegan toner pads have an elastic, spiderweb-style design that makes them feel almost cushioned and soft to the touch. Typical for Mediheal, the pads are not only big in size allowing you to cover large areas of your face but are generously soaked in a rich toner essence.
Ingredient highlight: The pads feature a blend of microencapsulated retinol (500 ppb) formulated to prevent possible irritation as well as 300 Da of low molecular weight, hydrolyzed collagen (50ppm) to add a bit of "spice" to the anti aging formula.

Isntree

Onion Newpair Essence Toner

Skin Concern: Dark spots, hyperpigmentation, superficial acne scars + inflamed acne breakouts

Effect: If you ever tried fading scars or hyperpigmentation, you will be familiar with onion as an ingredient used for its potent brightening qualities and naturally high content of Vitamin C. This toner packs a gentle yet mighty punch and with daily usage will help you fade unwanted reminders of not-so-good skin days over time. Keep in mind that for deeper, pitted scar healing, you will need something more concentrated in the form of a serum or targeted cream.
Application: This toner is amazing if you already love or want to try K-beauty's famous multi-layering method: Apply the first layer of toner, gently dab it into your skin, then apply a second layer of toner to enhance the product's hydrating properties. Follow up with a moisturizer and adapt the amount of toner layers depending on how much moisture your skin feels comfortable with (spoiler alert: too much of a good thing can still cause skin issues such as breakouts or greasiness. So if you're an acne-prone girlie or boy, pay close attention to how well your skin takes to layering).
Product feel: According to Glowpick users, one of Korea's leading, community-based beauty review platforms, this toner with a lightweight formula and zero artificial color additives has a rich, yet non-sticky texture that effortlessly soothes and hydrates even the most sensitive of skin.
Ingredient highlight: Muan Red Onion extract as the very first ingredient at 75% (758,078 ppm) acts as an anti-inflammatory that counteracts acne and pigmentation — don't worry, it does not smell like onion. Grown in red clay, red onions cultivated in Korea's Muan region famous for its large mudlands and nature are said to have up to 40 times more antioxidants, particularly the flavonoid quercetin than regular white onions.

APRILSKIN:

Carrotene IPMP Instant Calming Serum Pads

Skin Concern: Acne breakouts + enlarged pores

Effect: Skin temperature plays a big role in the daily skincare routine of many Koreans and when I went to the skin clinic in Seoul for the first time, my dermatologist also mentioned lowering my skin temperature in order to combat redness and inflammation.
Aprilskin's vegan toner pads which have been trending on both Koren, as well as global TikTok effectively help lower your skin temperature which, according to my derm, helps prevent heat-induced sebum (aka excess oil) production.
Application: With this toner pad box, you're getting generously sized pads (2.7 inches/7 cm) that are perfect for masking your cheeks and forehead. Remember to remove the pads after a maximum of 15 minutes when they're still slightly moist and to not leave them on for too long as this may dry out your skin/soak the moisture you just spoiled your skin with back into the pad.
Product feel: The pads are soaked in a creamy essence that feels rich, luxurious, and very healing to the skin.
Ingredient highlight: Carrotene IPMP™ is a potent blend created by Aprilskin meant to help fight acne-causing bacteria while improving oily skin and large pores. By now, we all know that pore size is genetic and pores can't "open and close" but pads like this one can help improve the appearance of your pores and gently care for them to make them look less visible.
Other ingredients worth mentioning: Enriched with antioxidants carrot seed oil, carrot root water, and carrot root extract to help protect your skin from free radicals.

Torriden

DIVE IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner

Skin Concern: Dehydrated skin, Dry skin + compromised moisture barrier

Effect: Torriden's DIVE IN toner has been leading the Hwahae Charts as one of the best face toners beloved by Korea's beauty community for a while and is now being hyped on TikTok as well: If you're looking for deep hydration, this toner was made for you.
Application: This toner is great for single swipe application using a cotton pad as well as for masking/packing using multiple toner essence-soaked cotton pads.

Product feel: Described by Torriden as "weakly acidic", the watery, deeply hydrating toner is meant to maintain the skin's pH level and features a naturally light blue color that comes from the malachite extracts it is formulated with.

Ingredient highlight: At this point, we all know hyaluronic acid as a staple ingredient, and no skincare lover is blown away by its mere existence in a formula anymore. What is interesting about Torriden's approach to this ingredient is how they use a blend of hyaluronic acid, which essentially features 5 different types of hyaluronic acid to enhance the absorption. Referred to as their "5-D Complex", the toner has been tested to improve the inner skin layer hydration, helping to effectively replenish your skin's moisture levels from the inside out if you will.

Numbuzin:

No. 3 Super Glowing Essence Toner

Skin Concern: Rough & dry skin + lack of radiance

Effect: Numbuzin's Super Glowing Essence Toner has been a steady bestseller at Olive Young but recently, it also took over TikTok: If you're looking to give your skin its glow back, this hydrating toner that harnesses traditional Korean fermentation heritage will bring you one step closer to that “glass skin” look.
Application: For this toner, I would suggest applying it using the dabbing method as its texture is perfect for it: Simply apply a bit of toner to the palms of your hands and gently press them into your skin. If you're going for intense hydration, repeat this process multiple times, paying close attention to when your skin looks moisturized but not greasy/overdone.

Product feel: This cruelty-free toner with a beautifully beige hue that stems from its natural ingredients/ferments comes with a slightly viscose texture that feels rich and moisturizing but never sticky or heavy.

Ingredient highlight: Fermentation is central in Korean cosmetics and culinary culture (I explore Korea's over 3000-year-long fermentation history in this blog article) and with their 50 types of different fermented ingredients, Numbuzin continues this rich tradition by feeding your skin's microbiome with a nutritious, revitalizing formula.

Abib

Heartleaf Calming Toner Skin Booster

Skin Concern: Irritated skin, reactive skin + redness

Effect: Abib's Heartleaf range, including their aesthetic face mask, the "Mild Acidic pH Sheet Mask Heartleaf Fit" as well as the Heartleaf Spot Toner Pads is iconic and beloved by many in the K-Beauty scene. So it comes as no surprise that the matching Heartleaf Toner the brand released has been a hit on TikTok as well.
Application: This soothing toner is a truly gentle, everyday toner without any acids that is best applied by dispensing into your hands and padding into your skin but can also be used to create calming toner packs.
Product feel: Abib's Heartleaf Toner toner strikes the perfect balance between feeling watery and slightly viscous and in a small scale, brand-lead study has been shown to improve transepidermal water loss, meaning the water skin naturally loses overnight.
Ingredient highlight: Not only is heartleaf extract (aka houttuynia cordata extract) leading the ingredients list at 50,000ppm but Abib intentionally harvests the plant in the pristine region of Mountain Jiri, which features untouched nature and is home to the second-tallest mountain in South Korea.
Other ingredients worth mentioning: While Abib doesn't indicate the percentages of their other botanicals, other ingredients that contribute to the calming, soothing effect of heartleaf are their fermented ingredient (bifida ferment lysate), as well as the K-Beauty evergreen centella asiatica extract.

I’m From

Rice Toner

Skin Concern: Dull skin, rough skin + skin discoloration

Effect: Part of almost every Korean skincare product "best of" on TikTok, the I'm From Rice Toner has earned its keep not just because it has become an essential step in the brightening routine of many (not to be confused with controversial whitening products that can harm skin health) but because it has been praised in the K-Beauty space as being a brightening product suitable for darker skin complexions.
Application: No matter how you choose to apply this toner (swipe aka simple cotton pad application method vs. dab/finger application method vs. pack aka DYI mask method), it will help you step up your brightening care. Be sure to gently shake the toner before usage as the natural ingredients tend to separate at times (nothing to be concerned about, very standard for this formulation!).
Product feel: The toner is what I would describe as a milky toner, it feels nourishing and is one of the most gentle products I know when it comes to brightening skin without irritating it in the process, giving you a dewy, hydrated finish.
Ingredient highlight: Not only does this toner have 77.78% rice extract as its very first ingredient but I'm From take the origins of the raw materials used in their formulations seriously: Harvested in the Yeoju region known for its soil, and clean Namhan River water, their rice variety called Goami rice is said to be exceptionally rich in amino acids which supposedly boost skin's radiance visibly over time.

Pyunkang Yul

Essence Toner

Skin Concern: Dry skin, dehydrated skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin

Effect: This is one of those Korean skin toners that's not as popular when it comes to store displays or grand ad campaigns but more a secret tip in the K-Beauty community where it is loved for its anti-inflammatory properties and its incredibly short ingredients list, making it a fan favorite for people with allergies and sensitive skin.
Application: For this toner, I would recommend using the dabbing method: Apply the toner directly to the palms of your hands and gently press them onto your skin. If your skin enjoys multi-layering toner without getting too greasy, this toner is also a great choice to layer more than one application.
Product feel: The fragrance-free toner has an interesting gel texture that feels viscous to the tough but doesn't leave a greasy residue on the skin.
Ingredient highlight: Pyunkang Yul's takes pride in their products being free from "harsh ingredients" as well as "common allergens" — their Essence Toner comes packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants like milk vetch root extract at 91.3%, a medicinal herb that has been used in traditional Korean medicine for its large amounts of saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides which are loved for their anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Dr. G

Red Blemish Clear Soothing Toner

Skin Concern: Acne-prone skin, fungal acne + oily skin

Effect: Dr. G is not just considered one of the best Korean skincare brands, taking over large displays at almost every Olive Young store in Seoul and beyond but international magazines like Allure (Editor's Pick + best of Beauty Award), as well as people online are praising this toner for its ability to regulate sebum production and calm redness without irritating sensitive skin.
Application: Like the Aprilskin toner pads featured above, this toner's qualities shine when you create what Dr. G and many Olive Young sales associates will describe as a "toner pack": Soak 2-4 cotton pads in the toner essence and apply them to the areas where you need relief from inflammation/redness, as well as skin heat. Take them off after 15 minutes and follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
Product feel: Formulated to be light and watery, this toner is great for layering multiple applications without feeling greasy or sticky.
Ingredient highlight: The toner features what Dr. G describes as "plant-derived AHA" which is essentially sugar cane extract, as well as "botanical BHA", a fancy term for white willow bark extract. Don't be mistaken though: This toner, while gentle, is still an exfoliating treatment toner so try not to exfoliate more than 3 times per week. If your skin can handle more than that, amazing but if you're a sensitive skin girl or boy, you might want to give your moisture barrier some grace and avoid stripping it.

Round Lab

1025 Dokdo Toner

Skin Concern: Dead skin cells, uneven skin texture, irritated combination skin + excess sebum

Effect: Olive Young's #1 bestselling toner which is often been hailed as the "best toner" on many major Korean beauty review sites is a truly versatile gem: It tackles various skin issues (see above) while giving you a gentle exfoliation and an overall smoother texture making it a suitable tone for many different skin types.
Application: Because this toner does contain active ingredients, I would not recommend using the method of applying it with just your hands but to take a more targeted approach by applying it to a cotton pad and treating specific areas of your face that need exfoliation/refinement. Keep in mind to start using it twice a week and see how your skin reacts. Over-exfoliation can damage your skin barrier and while this toner is gentle, you should still approach
Product feel: This toner has a lightweight texture that does not feel heavy or sticky and soaks into the skin effortlessly, making it a great base for your next skincare steps.
Ingredient highlight: Round Lab's patented ingredient HATCHING EX-07 gently removes dead skin cells and is said to be more gentle than other chemical exfoliants such as AHAs (like glycolic acid or mandelic acid) and BHAs which makes it a great choice if you're looking for a treatment toner but fall into the category of the more sensitive skin types.

Other ingredients worth mentioning: The Dokdo Toner also features pristine deep sea water from the remote region of Ulleundgo Island which, according to Roundlab, is collected at 5,000 ft. below sea level, making it the "deepest seawater used in the history of beauty and skincare". Ulleundgo water is said to be incredibly nutritious for the skin, boasting 72 types of natural minerals including magnesium, zinc, and calcium, that help keep your skin moisturized during exfoliation.

2024 Best Korean Toners Review: My 10 New TikTok Toner Finds