I’ve seen so many people go back and forth about these two, so I decided to just try both and see for myself. If you’re like me and have sensitive combo skin that loves hydration but throws tantrums easily, this might help you figure out which one’s your better match
The contenders:
💧 Round Lab Dokdo Toner – hyped for calming, barrier-friendly, mineral-rich hydration
💦 Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner (original) – known for being a budget hydrating beast with multiple molecular weights of HA
I used each one for 2 weeks straight with no other hydrating toner or essence in the mix. Just a basic routine with cleanser, toner, moisturizer, sunscreen
Round Lab Dokdo Toner
🌊 Texture: Thin, watery, absorbs quickly
🧪 Key ingredients: Deep sea water, panthenol, allantoin
🫧 Layers well? Yes, but needs multiple passes to feel truly hydrating
😐 My experience: Not bad, but also... not great? Felt like I had to use a lot to feel anything. Gave me some irritation on my second week when paired with actives. I also noticed some dehydration around my nose area even after three layers
Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner
💧 Texture: Slightly thicker than water, still fast-absorbing
🧪 Key ingredients: 3 types of HA, beta-glucan, panthenol
🫧 Layers well? Yes and you don’t need to drown in it
😍 My experience: Immediate bounce effect. Skin feels plump and soft even after just one layer. I didn’t get any redness or sensitivity, even on tretinoin nights. Actually calmed my dry patches and worked well under sunscreen
Side-by-side comparison:
🔹 Hydration: Isntree wins
🔹 Layering: Both are great, but Isntree feels more efficient
🔹 Sensitivity: Dokdo claims to be gentler but oddly triggered me more
🔹 Texture preference: If you like ultra-light, you might prefer Dokdo. I personally liked the extra slip from Isntree
🔹 Price per performance: Both are affordable, but Isntree gave more results with less product
Final thoughts
If you want something that feels like it’s doing something and gives instant hydration, Isntree’s toner is the clear winner for me
Round Lab’s Dokdo Toner might work better for oily skin types or people who hate anything thicker than water, but for my combo-sensitive skin, it just didn’t cut it. Too subtle, too slow, and ironically not that soothing
Both have solid ingredient lists and no fragrance or alcohol, so they’re beginner-friendly. But if I had to recommend one to a friend?
Easy.
💙 Go with Isntree
5Comments-
Influencer1 mo. agoLove this comparison!! Sounded same for me and couldn't decide what I wanted 🤣🤣
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Influencer1 mo. agoInteresting! I had the opposite experience 😅 Round Lab felt more calming on my reactive skin during winter, especially when my barrier was shot. Isntree was great in summer, though—it just sinks in faster. Maybe it’s a seasonal skin thing?
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Influencer1 mo. agoI get why people prefer Isntree—more humectants, better slip, bigger size for the price—but for anyone struggling with fungal acne or super sensitive skin, Round Lab’s shorter ingredient list can actually be the safer bet. I think it really depends on what your skin doesn’t like more than what it needs.
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Influencer1 mo. agoWait but am I the only one who felt like the Isntree one just sat on top of my skin?
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Influencer1 mo. agoRound Lab for life 😎😎