u/AstronomerOk9126

I think I’ve been lumping very different products together under “hydrating toner.”

Something like Naturie Hatomugi makes sense to me when you want a super light, watery layer you can use generously. But the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner feels like it serves a different purpose. It has more slip and a little more cushion, so it feels closer to a first serum-like skincare step than just a water layer.

Lately my skin has been leaning more toward the second type. When my skin barrier feels a little fragile, that slightly richer first step seems to sit better under the rest of my routine. I’ve also noticed less of that dry-under-the-surface feeling, and my base makeup looks a bit less patchy around dry areas when my prep starts with something like this.

I’m also wondering how people choose the toner step when they already use thicker barrier creams at night. If you’re finishing with something like Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream or Aestura Atobarrier 365, do you still like a richer essence toner underneath? Or do you prefer keeping the first step really light?

I’ve been trying to keep my routine pretty simple lately, especially because my skin has been feeling a little more dehydrated than usual.

At first I was looking at really watery options like Naturie Hatomugi, but I ended up trying the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner instead. I think my skin just likes that slightly more cushioned first step. It doesn’t feel heavy, but it feels more like skincare than just a quick splash of hydration.

I’m thinking of keeping the rest of the routine pretty boring too. Something like Etude SoonJung cleanser, this toner, then Illiyoon cream at night, and Beauty of Joseon sunscreen in the morning.

The biggest thing I’ve noticed so far is that my skin feels less tight underneath, and makeup hasn’t been clinging to dry spots as much. My skin barrier also feels a little less “easily annoyed,” if that makes sense.

Curious if anyone else moved away from very watery toners and ended up liking essence toners more.