Toners & Mists

A modern toner is a light layer of skincare that goes on straight after cleansing, while your skin is still slightly damp. It is not the stripping astringent it used to be twenty years ago.

What it does depends on what is in it. Some add water and soothing ingredients, some exfoliate gently, some help control oil. The one thing they share is that they go on first, so whatever follows absorbs into skin that is already comfortable.

No. It is the one step in a routine you can skip without much loss, and a cleanser, moisturiser and SPF will serve you well on their own.

It earns its place when it is doing a specific job. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, a hydrating toner fixes that. If you are congested, an exfoliating one is an easy way to get an acid into your routine. If you just like the way it feels, that is a good enough reason too.

Pick by what your skin is doing, not by what it is labelled.

• Dry, tight or sensitive: a hydrating one like Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner or Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
• Congestion, blackheads or blemishes: an acid one like Medik8 Press & Clear, SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Toner or Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy
• Dullness and uneven texture: Medik8 Press & Glow, Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner or Caudalie Vinoperfect Concentrated Glycolic Essence

If you are using a retinol or another strong active, lead with a hydrating toner and keep the acid one for the nights when nothing else is going on.

Mostly texture and habit rather than anything fundamental.

• A toner is watery and goes on right after cleansing, usually with hands or a cotton pad
• An essence is a little thicker and more concentrated, and sits between toner and serum. Beauty of Joseon Glow Replenishing Rice Milk is a good example
• A mist is a toner you spray, so it is really about convenience. Caudalie Beauty Elixir and Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Capsule Mist are both used this way

You do not need all three. Pick the format you will actually keep up with.

A toner pad is a cotton pad already soaked in the toner. You take one out, wipe or press it over your face and you are done.

They are not more effective than liquid toner. They are just easier, and the wipe gives a small amount of physical exfoliation. Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0, ZO Skin Health Complexion Renewal Pads and Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad are all popular here. Medicube Zero Pore Pad Mild is the gentler version if the standard one is too much.

The trade off is cost per use and packaging waste. If you like the ritual they are worth it, and if you do not you are losing nothing by using a bottle.

Cleanse, tone, then everything else thinnest to thickest, finishing with SPF in the morning.

Apply it to skin that is still a bit damp, then move straight on. Waiting for a toner to dry fully before the next step wastes the moment when it works best.

If you use two, the hydrating one goes on first and the treatment one after.