hii everyone!! i need some help deciding which toner(s) to get because i’ve been researching so many products and now i’m just overwhelmed 😭
for context, i have oily, dehydrated, acne-prone skin. my t-zone and cheeks get pretty oily, but the area around my mouth gets REALLY dry. i’m looking for something that can hydrate my skin, calm my acne, and preferably help with sebum control without making my skin feel greasy.
toners i’ve tried:
1. i’m from mugwort essence
i LOVED this essence!! it genuinely helped calm my skin so much. i noticed that my acne became less inflamed, healed faster, and i wasn’t breaking out as often while using it. unfortunately, i can’t find a trustworthy seller where i live anymore, so i’ve been looking for alternatives 🥲
i’ve also looked into other mugwort-based toners and essences, such as the missha artemisia calming essence, meditherapy mugwort super calming toner, and round lab mugwort calming toner, but unfortunately, none of these are easily accessible to me either 😭
on top of that, i’ve heard that i’m from recently reformulated their mugwort essence, which makes me a little hesitant to repurchase it even if i do manage to find it. i’m not sure whether the new formulation would provide the same calming and acne-soothing benefits that i loved about the original.
if anyone has tried both the old and reformulated versions, i’d love to hear whether you’ve noticed any differences in their effectiveness!!
2. numbuzin no.1 pure-full calming herb toner
i switched to this after the mugwort essence, and while it does help soothe my skin, i’m not really sure if it’s doing much? i feel like it calms my skin but that’s about it, and i’m honestly getting a little bored of using it HAHAHA. i want to try something that might do more for my skin.
also, i usually transfer my toners into spray bottles because i find it so much easier to apply, and it’s more convenient for travelling! so i’d preferably want something with a watery consistency that works well as a mist.
toners/mists i’m currently considering:
1. isntree green tea fresh toner + isntree ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acid toner
i’ve seen SO many people rave about the green tea toner for controlling sebum production, which is something i’m really interested in because my skin gets oily quite easily.
however, i’ve also read that it isn’t hydrating enough for some people, so i’m worried it might make my dehydrated skin feel even drier, especially around my mouth.
because of this, i’m thinking of getting the isntree ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acid toner as well! i could either layer both toners together or alternate between them in the morning and at night.
has anyone tried this combination? would it actually be beneficial, or is using two toners unnecessary?
2. dr. althea 345 relief cream mist + aqua marine jelly mist
these two have also caught my attention, especially because they already come in spray bottles, which is a HUGE plus for me!! i was thinking of either using them together or alternating between them for my AM and PM routines.
but i’m a little confused about whether these mists actually function like toners? can they replace a toner completely, or are they meant to be used as an additional step? i’m also wondering if the 345 relief cream mist might be too heavy for oily skin, or whether the aqua marine jelly mist would be hydrating enough on its own.
3. haruharu wonder black rice hyaluronic toner (unscented)
i’ve heard really good things about how hydrating this toner is, and it sounds promising for dehydrated skin!
my only concern is the texture. i’ve seen some people mention that it’s slightly thicker or more viscous than regular watery toners, which means it might not work well in a spray bottle 😭
is the hydration worth giving up the convenience of spraying my toner? and would it be suitable for oily, acne-prone skin?
4. bringgreen tea tree cica soothing toner
i used the serum version from this range before and absolutely LOVED it, so naturally i’m interested in trying the toner too!!
but i’m not sure if the toner is hydrating enough for dehydrated skin or if it’s mainly focused on soothing acne and irritation. if anyone has tried both the serum and toner, i’d love to know how they compare!
what i’m looking for:
- something that provides good hydration without making my face greasy or sticky
- helps calm redness, inflammation, and acne (similar to the i’m from mugwort essence!!)
- ideally helps with excess sebum production
- gentle enough for everyday AM and PM use
- preferably lightweight and watery enough to use in a spray bottle
- helps with dehydration, especially around my mouth
which of these would you guys recommend for my skin type? i’d especially love to hear from people who have oily but dehydrated, acne-prone skin and have tried any of these products!!
also, if you have any other korean toners or facial mists that you swear by, PLEASE recommend them!! i’m completely open to other suggestions too 🫶
sorry for the super long post HAHAHA, and thank you in advance!! 💗
TL;DR: i have oily, dehydrated, acne-prone skin with an oily t-zone/cheeks but really dry skin around my mouth. i LOVED the i’m from mugwort essence because it helped calm my acne and reduce breakouts, but i can’t find a trustworthy seller anymore, and other mugwort alternatives aren’t accessible to me either 😭 currently deciding between isntree green tea fresh toner + ultra-low molecular hyaluronic acid toner, dr. althea 345 relief cream mist + aqua marine jelly mist, haruharu wonder black rice hyaluronic toner (unscented), and bringgreen tea tree cica soothing toner. looking for something that hydrates, soothes acne, and ideally controls excess oil without feeling heavy or greasy! i also prefer watery toners that can be used in a spray bottle. would love to know which one(s) you’d recommend, whether combining two toners is worth it, or if there are better alternatives!! 🫶