I am not the person who buys skincare for the thrill anymore. I still like trying new things, but I have learned that anything that promises instant perfection usually asks for payment in the form of irritation, flaking, or a weird new patch of texture that shows up right before a plan. With combination skin, I do not need extra drama. I need products that make my skin behave in a way that is boring and predictable.

That is the mindset I was in when I picked up the Beauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner. I was not hunting for a high-shine glow or a dramatic overnight change. I wanted a steady, daily kind of improvement: fewer clogged pores around my nose, less of that gritty congestion that makes my base look uneven, and fewer little bumps along my chin that are not quite pimples but also not nothing. I also wanted exfoliation that did not feel like sandpaper in liquid form.

What surprised me first was how normal and comfortable it feels. The texture sits in the middle of the toner spectrum. It is not watery in the way that flashes off and leaves you feeling like you did nothing. It is also not milky or lotion-like in a way that makes me worry about congestion. It spreads quickly, gives a slight cushion as you pat it in, and then disappears without leaving a film. That finish matters because anything that feels coated will turn into a shiny situation on my forehead by lunchtime.

The second surprise was the exfoliation. This toner uses 2% AHA and 0.5% BHA, but it does not perform like the classic acid toner that announces itself with a tingle. I do not get that sharp sensation that makes you think it is working because it hurts. On my skin it feels calm and straightforward. I can use it, move on to the next step, and not spend the next hour wondering if I overdid it.

The best way I can describe what it does is to talk about the situations where I notice the difference.

On makeup mornings, I care less about glow and more about surface smoothness. If my skin is even slightly textured, foundation will cling around my nose and chin, then start looking patchy as the day goes on. When I use this toner after cleansing, my skin feels smoother before I even get to moisturizer. It does not leave a slippery layer, so sunscreen sits evenly, and my base goes on with fewer little catches. The end result is not a dramatic dewy shine. It is a quieter thing: my skin looks more even, and less fussy under makeup.

After long days, I notice congestion more. If I have been wearing sunscreen for hours, or I have been out in heat, my T-zone can feel heavy and my pores look more obvious. This is where I used to reach for harsher exfoliation and then regret it. With this toner, I can do a simple cleanse, apply it, and feel like I am clearing the day off my skin without stripping it. My forehead feels fresher, my nose looks less clogged, and my cheeks do not feel tight. It gives me that reset feeling without the punishment.

Then there are the in-between days when my face looks fine but feels slightly off. Those are the days I am most likely to accidentally irritate myself because I want to fix a problem that is not really a problem. On those days, this toner is easy to trust. It makes my skin feel clean and refined, but it does not push me into that fragile, over-exfoliated zone.

One specific moment that sold me was a week where my schedule was packed and I was doing quick makeup almost every day. By midweek my chin usually looks a little bumpy and my nose looks congested, and I start reaching for concealer in a way that just makes everything look more obvious. I used this toner at night, kept the rest of my routine simple, and by the next morning my skin looked calmer and smoother. Not perfect, but noticeably less textured in the places that usually turn into a problem. It was the kind of subtle change that makes your routine feel worth it.

Over a few weeks, the changes have been small but consistent. I notice fewer clogged-looking spots around my nose. The tiny bumps along my chin calm down faster instead of hanging around. The overall texture of my skin looks more even, which is the difference between makeup looking okay and makeup looking effortless. It is not an instant miracle, but it is the kind of progress that makes a routine feel like it is working.

I also like that the toner does not force me to choose between exfoliation and comfort. A lot of exfoliating toners feel clinical and dry, like they are designed to flatten texture at any cost. This one feels like it is doing the refining part while still respecting the fact that skin needs to stay comfortable to look healthy. I can use it and still want to apply moisturizer afterward, not because I feel stripped, but because it layers well and my skin feels ready for it.

In winter or when the air is dry, I simply follow with a richer moisturizer on my cheeks and keep the toner focused on the center of my face. It still feels balanced, not harsh. I also avoid layering it with other acids.

Scent-wise, it is subtle and short-lived. I notice a light fresh scent for a moment and then it is gone. It does not linger, and it does not compete with anything else I use. For me that is ideal, because a toner is a step I want to do on autopilot. I do not want a perfume moment when I am just trying to get through my routine.

If you are someone who wants a hardcore acid treatment with dramatic peeling or a strong tingle, you might call this too gentle. I do not think it is built for that. This is more for people who want a realistic, repeatable exfoliating step that keeps texture and pores in check without turning your face into a project.

How I use it is simple. I apply it after cleansing with my hands, not a cotton pad, because I prefer less friction. Most of the time I do one layer. If my skin feels slightly congested, I might do a second light layer and then move on. In a normal week, that looks like three or four nights, and I will skip it if I am using something stronger like a retinoid. I like that I can adjust the frequency without feeling like the product only works one specific way.

I also appreciate how easy it is to pair with the rest of my routine. If I want to use a hydrating serum afterward, it does not pill. If I want to keep things minimal and just use moisturizer, it still feels like enough. On nights when my skin feels a little sensitive, I can use a smaller amount and it still feels comfortable. It is a flexible step, not a strict rule.

My honest verdict is that this is a grown-up kind of product in the best sense. It is not flashy. It does not try to convince you with drama. It just helps combination skin look smoother, clearer, and more pulled together over time. For me, that is exactly what I want from an exfoliating toner.