Brands featured: Pyunkang Yul and Secret Key

Hiya!

I’m just a regular skincare enthusiast sharing my personal experience, no sponsorships, just stuff I’ve bought with my own money. My skin type used to be severely dry, but these days it leans slightly dry on the cheeks and slightly oily in the T-zone during summer, while feeling more dry all over in winter.

Here’s a rundown of some hydrating toners I’ve tried, how they perform, and who I think they’re best for.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

A gentle, hydrating toner with no added fragrance or essential oils.

• Cost : Around USD $17 for 200mL

Where to buy : YesStyle, Amazon

• Skin type : Best for dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin. Generally recommended for drier skin types; some friends with oily skin have broken out from it. I've used this year-round without issue, even when my moisture barrier was compromised.

• Usage : Since November 2022

Thoughts : Holy grail status. I’ve used this post-peels, post-laser, and post-barrier damage. It doesn’t promise more than hydration and calm and it delivers beautifully. If you need more active ingredients, this isn’t the one. But for hydration? It’s divine.

• Texture : Slightly thicker than water, but still fluid. Doesn’t run off the face like water would.

• Packaging : Basic plastic bottle with a secure cap, no complaints.

• Smell : None.

• Adverse reactions : None, even on compromised skin.

• Repurchase? : Absolutely. I’ve repurchased at least four times.

• Ingredients : Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Carbomer, Arginine

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner

A hydrating, no-frills mist toner in a spray format, ideal for on-the-go or oily skin types.

• Cost & where to buy : Same as above.

• Skin type : Slightly oilier or combo skin. Lighter than the essence version.

• Usage : Since November 2022

• Thoughts : A decent toner-stage product. I don’t love mists as much because they can spray onto clothing/jewelry, but I did use this in my bag for on-the-go hydration. Not a favorite, but good.

• Texture : Light and refreshing mist.

• Smell : None.

• Packaging : Standard spray bottle; works fine but I’ve had a friend whose sprayer malfunctioned.

• Adverse reactions : None.

• Repurchase? : Maybe not, I reach for the Essence or Purito Unscented more often.

• Ingredients : Coptis Japonica Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate

Secret Key Fresh Nature Toner - Milk Brightening

A hydrating toner marketed for brightness and sensitive skin.

• Cost : Around USD $11.50

• Where to buy : YesStyle.

• Skin type : Not sure, advertised for sensitive and dry skin, but I personally couldn’t tolerate it.

• Usage : Tried several times throughout 2023

• Thoughts : I really disliked the scent, overpowering and artificial. I only managed 5–10 uses before binning it. Couldn’t stand it enough to test performance.

• Texture : Very watery.

• Smell : Strong synthetic scent, dealbreaker for me.

• Packaging : Basic plastic bottle.

• Adverse reactions : None, surprisingly, despite the heavy fragrance.

• Repurchase? : No. Threw it out.

• Ingredients : Honestly, the list is a bit of a mess, multiple conflicting ingredient summaries on different retailer sites. Some highlights include galactomyces ferment filtrate, pomegranate, milk protein extract, various plant extracts, and a noticeable amount of fragrance.

I will be back with toners of Benton, Etude House, Purito so stay tuned:)