Pori
- Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is the best Korean toner overall: fragrance-free, alcohol-free and light enough for sensitive, oily or combination skin.
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is the best value, Torriden DIVE-IN is best for dehydrated skin and Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented suits very sensitive skin.
- COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is the best exfoliating pick for oily, congested skin; start every other evening and wear sunscreen.
- Some By Mi's Miracle Toner contains peppermint oil and witch hazel, so sensitive skin should skip it.
The best Korean toners for most people are Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner and Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner. Anua is our top pick for sensitive, oily or combination skin, Round Lab is the best value and Torriden is the best for dehydrated skin. If you want an exfoliating toner, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is the most straightforward Korean option.
Before you buy, you can scan a toner's barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check it against your skin type. Pori reads the label for you; it does not diagnose skin conditions.
Quick picks
- Best overall: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner ($23 for 250 ml, anua.com): fragrance-free, alcohol-free hydration for reactive skin.
- Best budget: Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner ($17 list for 200 ml, roundlab.com): a short, unscented formula with a mild enzyme for smoother skin.
- Best for dehydrated skin: Torriden DIVE-IN Toner ($23 for 300 ml, torriden.us): five forms of hyaluronic acid with panthenol and allantoin.
- Best for very sensitive skin: Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner ($18.99 for 180 ml, klairs.com): licorice, centella, beta-glucan and no fragrance.
- Best exfoliating toner: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner ($20 for 150 ml, cosrx.com): glycolic acid and betaine salicylate for oily, congested skin.
We compared published ingredient lists, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are US list prices as of November 2026 with the retailer named, and Korean brands run frequent sales. In Korean routines a toner is the step after cleansing that adds water back to the skin; our guides to what toner does and types of toners explain the difference between hydrating and exfoliating ones. More Korean skincare picks live in our K-beauty hub.
How do the best Korean toners compare?
| Toner | Key ingredients | Skin type | Price (November 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Heartleaf water, glycerin, betaine, panthenol, hyaluronic acid | Sensitive, oily, combination | $23 for 250 ml (anua.com) |
| 2. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner | Sea water, betaine, panthenol, allantoin, protease | All, including sensitive | $17 list for 200 ml (roundlab.com) |
| 3. Torriden DIVE-IN Toner | Five forms of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin, betaine | Normal, combination, dehydrated | $23 for 300 ml (torriden.us) |
| 4. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner | Licorice root, centella, beta-glucan, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate | Sensitive, dry | $18.99 for 180 ml (klairs.com) |
| 5. SKIN1004 Centella Toning Toner | Centella extract, niacinamide, gluconolactone (PHA), betaine | Normal, sensitive, rough texture | $18 list for 210 ml (skin1004.com) |
| 6. Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner | 14 types of hyaluronic acid, sea water | Dry, dehydrated, all | $20.99 for 300 ml (Target, sold by iHerb) |
| 7. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner | 91.3% milk vetch root extract, seven ingredients total | Dry, sensitive | $19 for 3.4 oz (Target) |
| 8. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner | Willow bark water, apple fruit water, glycolic acid, betaine salicylate | Oily, congested | $20 for 150 ml (cosrx.com) |
| 9. Purito Seoul Oat PDRN Gentle Refining Toner | 80% oat seed water, panthenol, beta-glucan, sodium DNA | Dry, sensitive, acne-prone | $23 for 200 ml (purito.com, sold in the US on Amazon) |
| 10. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner | Niacinamide, tea tree leaf water, salicylic acid, lactobionic acid | Oily, blemish-prone | $24 for 5.07 oz (Ulta) |
The 10 best Korean toners
1. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Price: $23 for 250 ml or $34.50 for 500 ml on anua.com, also sold on Amazon. Key ingredients: heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) water first, then glycerin, betaine, panthenol, centella and several forms of hyaluronic acid. It is sold as fragrance-free and alcohol-free and contains no exfoliating acids.
Who it suits: sensitive, oily or combination skin that wants light hydration it can layer two or three times. Who should skip it: very dry skin that needs something richer, unless you follow it with a cream. The catch: the soothing claims for heartleaf rest on lab studies and the brand's own tests, not on controlled trials of this toner. Our full Anua Heartleaf 77% review goes through every ingredient.
2. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
Price: $17 list for 200 ml on roundlab.com, which ships from a US warehouse; it was $11.90 in the brand's early Black Friday sale this month. It also comes in 100 ml ($10 list) and 500 ml ($34 list). Key ingredients: deep sea water, red algae (Chondrus crispus) and sugarcane extracts, protease, betaine, panthenol and allantoin. Round Lab calls it unscented, and the full list is only 16 ingredients long.
Who it suits: almost anyone, including sensitive skin, who wants a plain watery toner that also leaves skin feeling a little smoother. Who should skip it: dry skin looking for real moisture; this is a light first layer. The catch: the "gentle exfoliation" comes from a protease enzyme, which is milder and less predictable than a measured acid, so do not expect it to clear clogged pores.
3. Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner
Price: $23 for 300 ml on torriden.us. Key ingredients: five forms of hyaluronic acid (Torriden calls it 5D hyaluronic acid), panthenol, allantoin, betaine, trehalose and purslane extract, in a 20-ingredient list with no fragrance.
Who it suits: normal and combination skin that feels tight after washing, and anyone already using the DIVE-IN serum who wants a matching first layer. Who should skip it: people who want a toner that does something beyond hydration. The catch: hyaluronic acid pulls water into the top layer of skin but cannot hold it there on its own, so it works best with a moisturizer on top, especially in dry indoor air.
4. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Price: $18.99 for 180 ml on klairs.com, also on Amazon. Key ingredients: licorice root extract, centella, beta-glucan, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate and a little sodium ascorbyl phosphate. Klairs sells it as fragrance-free and pH-balanced for sensitive skin.
Who it suits: dry, reactive skin that stings with most toners. Who should skip it: oily skin that wants a lighter, faster-drying layer. The catch: Klairs now also sells a Supple Preparation Cica Toner with a different formula, and the bottles look alike. Check that the label says "Unscented" before you buy.
5. SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
Price: $18 list for 210 ml on skin1004.com ($16.20 on sale in November), with a 400 ml size at $26 list; Target also carries it. Key ingredients: centella asiatica extract, niacinamide, gluconolactone (a PHA), betaine and hyaluronic acid.
Who it suits: normal or sensitive skin with some rough texture that wants a very mild daily exfoliant. Who should skip it: anyone already using a strong acid or a retinoid who does not need another exfoliating step. The catch: SKIN1004 does not publish the PHA percentage, so treat it as a gentle smoothing toner, not a treatment for acne or blackheads. See our best centella products for the rest of the line.
6. Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner
Price: $20.99 for 300 ml at Target, sold and shipped by iHerb; prices from other Target sellers run higher. Key ingredients: the listing describes 14 types of low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and sea water from Ulleung Island, with no added fragrance. It is labeled vegan.
Who it suits: dry or dehydrated skin that likes the "seven skin" habit of patting on several thin layers. Who should skip it: people who only want one bottle to do several jobs. The catch: Isntree's better-known original Hyaluronic Acid Toner is easiest to find through importers such as YesStyle, and the Target listing does not show a full ingredient list, so read the label once it arrives.
7. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
Price: $19 for 3.4 fl oz at Target (sold by a third-party seller, $17.10 on sale this month). Key ingredients: 91.3% milk vetch (astragalus) root extract in place of water, in a formula of seven ingredients. It is sold as free from artificial fragrance and dyes.
Who it suits: dry, sensitive skin and anyone who wants the shortest possible ingredient list. Who should skip it: oily skin, since the slightly thick texture can feel heavy in heat. The catch: the bottle is small for the price. It also appears in our best essence roundup.
8. COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Price: $20 for 150 ml on cosrx.com. Key ingredients: willow bark water, apple fruit water, glycolic acid and betaine salicylate, a milder relative of salicylic acid.
Who it suits: oily or combination skin with blackheads, bumps or a rough feel. Who should skip it: dry or easily irritated skin, and anyone on prescription retinoids unless their dermatologist agrees. COSRX's own page says to avoid it while pregnant or breastfeeding. The catch: acids make skin more sensitive to the sun, so use sunscreen every morning. Start every other evening. Our best COSRX products list covers the brand's other exfoliants.
9. Purito Seoul Oat PDRN Gentle Refining Toner
Price: $23 for 200 ml, listed on purito.com, which links to Amazon for US buyers. Key ingredients: 80% oat seed water, meadowfoam seed oil, panthenol, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, oat extract, beta-glucan and sodium DNA (the "PDRN" in the name). Purito lists no synthetic fragrance.
Who it suits: dry or sensitive skin, including acne-prone skin, that wants a milky toner with a bit more slip. Who should skip it: anyone who wants proven results from PDRN; the sodium DNA here is listed at 5 ppm, a tiny amount. The catch: the "refining" in the name is mostly a feel. There is no acid or enzyme exfoliant in the formula beyond a little citric acid for pH.
Purity Oat PDRN Gentle refining toner
Toner with panthenol, dipotassium glycyrrhizate and Beta-Glucan. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
10. Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Price: $24 for 5.07 oz at Ulta. Key ingredients: niacinamide, tea tree leaf water, papaya extract, salicylic acid, lactobionic acid (a PHA) and citric acid.
Who it suits: oily, blemish-prone skin that wants a low-strength acid toner. Who should skip it: sensitive skin. The list includes witch hazel and peppermint oil, both common irritants, even though Ulta's page says it is made without artificial fragrance. The catch: the "30 days" in the name is a marketing promise, not a tested result, and the acid levels the brand has published are low.
Hydrating or exfoliating: which Korean toner do you need?
Most Korean toners are hydrating: thin layers of humectants such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and panthenol that suit almost everyone, morning and night. Picks 1 to 7 and 9 are in this group. Exfoliating toners, such as the COSRX and Some By Mi bottles, contain acids that loosen dead skin cells. Use one of those at most once a day, never alongside another acid or a retinoid on the same night, and always follow with sunscreen the next morning. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises testing a new product on a small patch of skin for several days before using it on your face, which matters most with acid toners. Our Korean skincare routine steps guide shows where a toner fits.
Where can you buy Korean toners in the US?
Most of these brands now run US online stores (anua.com, roundlab.com, torriden.us, skin1004.com, cosrx.com, klairs.com) and sell on Amazon. Some Target listings are third-party sellers such as SleekShop or iHerb, so check who ships the item. Importers such as YesStyle and Olive Young Global can carry versions made for other markets, which can have a different label or formula. Toners are cosmetics, so unlike Korean sunscreens, they do not face the FDA drug rules that keep many imported sunscreens out of US stores; our best Korean sunscreen guide explains that difference. For more on the companies behind these bottles, see our guide to Korean skincare brands.
How we chose
We started with the Korean toners most often sold in the US and kept those with a current US listing, a published ingredient list and a price we could confirm on the brand site or a major US retailer in November 2026. We favored fragrance-free formulas and noted every listed irritant. We did not wear-test any toner, and no brand paid to be included. For one pick per routine step, see our best Korean skincare products.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Korean toner?
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is our best overall pick: fragrance-free, alcohol-free and light enough for sensitive, oily or combination skin. Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is the best value, and Torriden DIVE-IN Toner is best for dehydrated skin.
Which Korean toner is best for sensitive skin?
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner and Anua Heartleaf 77% are both fragrance-free with no exfoliating acids. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is another option with only seven ingredients. Patch test any new toner for a few days first.
Which Korean toner is best for oily or acne-prone skin?
For light hydration, Anua Heartleaf 77% or SKIN1004 Centella Toning Toner. For an exfoliating toner, COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, used every other evening at first. Some By Mi's Miracle Toner is another acid option, but it contains peppermint oil and witch hazel.
Do I need a toner in a Korean skincare routine?
No step is required. A hydrating toner adds a light layer of water-binding ingredients after cleansing, which many people with dry or tight skin like. If your skin feels fine with a serum and moisturizer, you can skip it.
Can I use an exfoliating toner every day?
Some people can, but start every other evening and watch for stinging, redness or peeling. Do not combine an acid toner with a retinoid or another acid on the same night, and wear sunscreen every morning.
Are Korean toners sold in the US the same as in Korea?
Usually, but not always. Brands sometimes sell different versions by market and update formulas. Check that the ingredient list on your bottle matches the one on the brand's US site.
Sources
- Anua: Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner
- Round Lab: 1025 Dokdo Toner
- Torriden: DIVE IN Toner
- Klairs: Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
- SKIN1004: Centella Toning Toner
- Target: Isntree Ultra-Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner
- Target: Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
- COSRX: AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
- Purito Seoul: Oat PDRN Gentle Refining Toner
- Ulta: Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Pori is a wellness and skincare education app, not a medical device. This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For anything that worries you, see a dermatologist.
