Brands featured : Benton, Etude House, and Purito

Hiya! 

Hope you enjoyed the past 1! ( For someone who missed out, here's the link)

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.

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner

A hydrating toner formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, designed to gently exfoliate while calming the skin.

• Cost : ~ USD$15

• Where to buy : Available at most Asian beauty retailers like YesStyle.

• Skin Type : Best for dry and sensitive skin due to its rich, emollient texture.

• Usage : On and off since mid-2024, still working through the bottle.

• Thoughts : Despite being marketed as a BHA toner, this one underdelivers on exfoliation. At a pH of around 5.5 based on online sources, it’s likely too high for the 0.5% salicylic acid to be truly effective. I haven’t noticed any calming effects either, though it is decently hydrating. If hydration and barrier support are your goals, I’d recommend the Purito Centella Unscented Toner instead, it has added benefits like collagen stimulation and skin repair.

• Texture : Similar to the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, hydrating, but not thick.

• Packaging: Standard plastic pump bottle. Functional, though product can dispense a bit forcefully.

• Smell : Virtually scent-free.

• Adverse reactions : None.

• Repurchase? No. I almost decluttered it, but I’m finishing it up for the sake of not wasting product.

• Ingredients : Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Water (80%), Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Beta-Glucan, Polyglutamic Acid, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos) Extract, Portulaca Oleracea (Green Purslane) Extract, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid (0.5%), Althaea Rosea Root Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract (200mg), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice (200mg), Arginine, Pentylene Glycol, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Polysorbate 20, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum

Etude House Soon Jung pH 5.5 Relief Toner

A mild, hydrating toner with a pH of 5.5, designed for sensitive or irritated skin.

• Cost : ~ USD$13 

• Where to buy : Widely available at Asian beauty stores like YesStyle, and Amazon.

• Skin Type : Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive or compromised skin.

• Usage : Finished one bottle, used daily after purchase in December 2023

• Thoughts : A good, no-nonsense toner. Very comparable to the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, though slightly more expensive. While it doesn’t deliver dramatic results, it’s solid for basic hydration and would suit anyone looking for a gentle, dependable toner. That said, I still prefer the Purito Centella Unscented Toner, which offers added soothing benefits at a slightly lower price point.

• Texture : Lightweight and watery.

• Packaging : Standard bottle with a small dispenser opening. Nothing fancy, but effective.

• Smell : No noticeable fragrance.

• Adverse reactions : None.

• Repurchase? Probably not, but only because I have other similar products I prefer.

• Ingredients : Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Betaine, Madecassoside, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Carbomer, Polyglycerin-3, Disodium EDTA

Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner & Unscented Toner

A calming, hydrating toner packed with Centella Asiatica and its active compounds to help with irritation, redness, and possibly collagen stimulation.

• Cost :  ~USD$20

• Where to buy : YesStyle, Amazon and other K-beauty retailers.

• Skin Type : Best for those with sensitive, irritated, acne-prone, or barrier-damaged skin. If your skin is already in great condition, you might not notice a dramatic change but for stressed skin, this is a game-changer.

• Usage : Religiously since April 2024, often twice a day.

Thoughts : Absolutely stellar. This toner has been a mainstay in my routine, especially when I’m using actives like tretinoin, AHA/BHA, or after clay masks. It significantly helps reduce irritation and boosts my skin’s resilience. I started with the scented version, then moved to the unscented to minimize any potential for sensitivity. This toner calms, hydrates, and may even support collagen production, what’s not to love?

• Texture : Thick, hydrating water, feels plush and comforting on the skin.

• Packaging : Standard upright bottle with a small spout, basic but no issues.

• Smell :

- Scented : Herbal/medicinal, which reminds me of traditional Asian medicine, pleasant but may not be for everyone. 

- Unscented : Virtually scent-free.

• Adverse reactions : None as this product actually helps prevent them.

• Repurchase? Yes, and I already have. This one’s a forever repurchase for me.

• Ingredients : 4 variants as they've got the scented and unscented versions, and then those with and without witch hazel.

- non-witch hazel unscented version - Water, Centella Asiatica Extract (strengthens skin barrier), Butylene Glycol (humectants), Pentylene Glycol (skin-conditioning agents), Dipropylene Glycol (humectants), 1,2-Hexanediol (stabilizers), Trehalose (humectants), Sodium Hyaluronate (natural moisturizing factor/ humectants), Hamemelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Madecassoside (strengthens skin barrier), Asiaticoside (strengthens skin barrier), Asiatic Acid (strengthens skin barrier), Madecassic Acid (strengthens skin barrier), Panthenol (strengthens skin barrier), Carbomer (viscosity increasing agents), Allantoin (skin protectants), Arginine (skin-conditioning agents), Portulaca Oleracea Extract (skin-conditioning agents), Ethylhexylglycerin (skin-conditioning agents), Disodium EDTA (stabilizers)

Conclusions

If you’re looking for effective hydration and skin-calming benefits, the Purito Centella Toners outshine the others in both performance and value. Soon Jung is a dependable fallback, while the Benton Aloe BHA is better labeled as a hydrating toner than a true exfoliator.

Hope this comparison helps you find the right fit for your routine!