Beauty of Joseon has three products that sit in the “toner” step of a routine, and they do very different jobs. One is a milky hydrating toner, one is an exfoliating toner with acids, and one is a toner-essence hybrid. If you searched for the best Beauty of Joseon toner or the Beauty of Joseon essence, this page will help you pick the right one in a couple of minutes.
The three Beauty of Joseon toners compared
| Product | Type | Key ingredient | Texture | Best for | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glow Replenishing Rice Milk | Hydrating milky toner | Rice | Milky, light | Dry, dull or normal skin | AM and PM |
| Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA | Exfoliating toner | Green plum, AHA, BHA | Watery | Oily, congested, textured skin | A few times a week to start |
| Ginseng Essence Water | Toner-essence | Ginseng water | Watery, slightly cushiony | All skin types, dehydrated or mature skin | AM and PM |
Glow Replenishing Rice Milk: the hydrating toner
The Glow Replenishing Rice Milk is a milky toner built around rice, one of the brand’s signature hanbang ingredients (read Hanbang ingredients explained). It adds a soft layer of hydration right after cleansing and suits skin that feels dry or looks dull. It is gentle enough for daily use morning and night, and it layers easily under any of the serums in our Beauty of Joseon serums comparison.
Who should skip it
Very oily skin that dislikes any creamy texture may prefer the watery Ginseng Essence Water instead.
Green Plum Refreshing Toner: the exfoliating toner
The Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA contains AHA and BHA, so it works as a leave-on chemical exfoliant rather than just a hydrating step. It is aimed at oily, congested or rough-feeling skin. Start slowly, a few evenings per week, and increase only if your skin stays comfortable. Exfoliating acids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily sunscreen is essential.
Do not double up on exfoliation
Avoid using it on the same night as the Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel, and be careful when combining it with retinal or retinol products such as the Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal near the eye area. Our guide How to use the Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel explains how to schedule exfoliation without overdoing it. It pairs naturally with the Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser, which uses the same green plum theme in a gentle gel cleanser (see our Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser review).
Ginseng Essence Water: the essence
When people talk about the Beauty of Joseon essence, they usually mean the Ginseng Essence Water. It sits between a toner and an essence: watery enough to pat in like a toner, with enough slip and cushion to act as a first hydrating layer. It helps serums spread more easily and suits almost every skin type, including dehydrated and mature skin. Our Ginseng Essence Water review covers texture and application in detail.
Which one should you choose?
| Your skin | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or dull | Glow Replenishing Rice Milk | Milky, comforting hydration |
| Oily or congested | Green Plum Toner AHA + BHA | Gentle chemical exfoliation for texture |
| Dehydrated, mature or combination | Ginseng Essence Water | Lightweight hydration that layers under anything |
| Sensitive | Ginseng Essence Water | No acids; patch test first |
| Oily but dehydrated | Ginseng Essence Water daily + Green Plum Toner 2-3 nights | Hydration plus occasional exfoliation |
How to apply a toner or essence
We suggest patting hydrating toners in with your hands rather than wiping them off with a cotton pad; a pad is optional for the exfoliating toner if you prefer. A few practical tips:
- Apply to slightly damp skin straight after cleansing, when hydrating ingredients spread most easily.
- Pour a small amount into your palms and press it into the face and neck. Repeat in thin layers for extra hydration rather than using one large splash.
- Wait until the toner is mostly absorbed before your serum, so layers do not pill.
- With the Green Plum Refreshing Toner, use a cotton pad or your hands, avoid the eye area and lips, and stop if you feel persistent stinging.
- Keep the cap closed and store bottles away from heat and direct sunlight. See shelf life and storage for how long opened products last.
Toners by season in Canada
Many Canadians change their toner with the seasons. In winter, when indoor heating and cold wind leave skin feeling tight, the Rice Milk or a double layer of Ginseng Essence Water adds comfort. In humid summer weather, oily and combination skin often prefers the lighter Ginseng Essence Water on its own, with the Green Plum Toner on a few evenings to keep pores and texture in check. If your skin is reacting to the weather, simplify: one hydrating toner, a calming serum such as the Calming Barrier Serum: Green Tea + Panthenol and moisturizer.
Can you use two Beauty of Joseon toners together?
Yes, as long as only one of them exfoliates. A common combination is the Ginseng Essence Water every morning and evening, with the Green Plum Refreshing Toner replacing it on a few evenings each week. Combining the Rice Milk and the Ginseng Essence Water is also fine for very dry skin: apply the thinner Ginseng Essence Water first, then the milkier Rice Milk.
Where toner fits in your routine
- Cleanse: Radiance Cleansing Balm or Ginseng Cleansing Oil at night, then Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser. See How to double cleanse with Beauty of Joseon.
- Toner or essence: one of the three products above, patted into damp skin.
- Serum: for example Glow Serum: Propolis + Niacinamide or Revive Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin.
- Moisturizer: Dynasty Cream for dry skin, Red Bean Water Gel for oily skin (Dynasty Cream vs Red Bean Water Gel).
- Morning only: sunscreen such as Relief Sun SPF50+ PA++++. Compare every option in our Beauty of Joseon sunscreen guide.
For full routines by skin type, see our routine for oily vs dry skin, routine for combination skin and routine for sensitive skin guides. You can browse all three products on our toners and essences category page.
FAQ
Is the Ginseng Essence Water a toner or an essence?
Both, in practice. It is watery like a toner but is designed to give a first hydrating, essence-like layer. Use it right after cleansing.
Which Beauty of Joseon toner is best for acne-prone skin?
The Green Plum Refreshing Toner: AHA + BHA is the most targeted for oily, congested skin thanks to its AHA and BHA. Introduce it slowly and keep the rest of your routine simple.
Can I use the Green Plum Toner every day?
Some people can, but start with a few evenings a week. If you notice stinging, redness or dryness, reduce how often you use it. Always wear sunscreen the next morning.
Do I need a toner at all?
Not strictly. A toner or essence is an optional hydration or exfoliation step. If you want a minimal routine, our budget starter kit shows which steps matter most.
This is an independent guide, not the official Beauty of Joseon website. Product pages link to Amazon.ca search results; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Always patch test new products, and check Health Canada guidance on sun safety at canada.ca.