【Tried and Tested】4 Best Japanese Toners in the Philippines 2021
When it comes to skin, we know that one of the reasons why the Japanese have a very smooth, supple, and radiant skin is because of their extensive skincare routine. After thoroughly washing the face, the first step is to apply an excellent toner that will further cleanse the face, refresh, and prepare it for other products.
To help you choose the best Japanese toner, we've gathered popular toners from different brands like Muji, SK-II, and more, and we invited a specialist to help us test, compare and verify the following points:
- How it feels on the skin
- Moisturizing power
Read on to find out which product is ranked first on our list! At the end of this article, we also put tips on how to properly apply toner so you can get the most out of your product!
Quick List - Top Japanese Toners
Hada Labo
Great Quality With a Low Price! The Consistency is Quite Heavy but Very Moisturizing!
A Japanese skin specialist with experience in skincare counseling for over 20,000 people. Her approach to skin is a combination of her knowledge in dermatology and cosmetic ingredients in order to help women improve and feel more beautiful with their skin down to their fingertips. She is also a Representative of the Board of Directs at Association of Nail and Skin Experts Maestro (ANSEM) and an instructor at the Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association. She's also made countless media appearances.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Introducing Aiko Kawakami : Skin Specialist
<Aiko Kawakami>
A Japanese skin specialist with experience in skincare counseling for over 20,000 people. Her approach to skin is a combination of her knowledge in dermatology and cosmetic ingredients in order to help women improve and feel more beautiful with their skin down to their fingertips.
She is also a Representative of the Board of Directs at Association of Nail and Skin Experts Maestro (ANSEM) and an instructor at the Japan Cosmetic Licensing Association. She's also made countless media appearances.
How to Choose a Toner – Buying Guide
Below we listed two things to consider when choosing a toner.
Choose a Consistency and Scent That Suits Your Preference
Of course, each person has his or her own preference so selecting a toner with the consistency you prefer is one of things to prioritize. Before deciding on a product, it is suggested that you get a trial size first or if you are out shopping, try out the product's tester first. Depending on the toner, it may leave either a smooth or a sticky feeling after application.
Another thing to note is that toners may be scented or unscented. There are some cases that people stop using the toner, even on their first try, because they don't like the toner's scent. Many skincare or cosmetic products have a unique scent to it so it is recommended that before making the big jump on purchasing a full-sized toner, check the scent and if the skin has any reaction after product application.
I highly recommend getting a toner based on the texture and the scent. This will affect other products you will put on your face later on such as serums or makeup. On the other hand, if you like the scent of the toner, this will have some positive effect on your mood!
Select Toners With Ingredients That Complement Your Skin Type and Treat Your Skin Troubles
Although choosing a toner that is very moisturizing isn't really a top priority, it is still highly recommended to get one that will make your skin feel smooth and moisturized. After all, who doesn't want to a smooth and supple skin?
Check for Moisturizing Ingredients
Here we list down the most common moisturizing ingredients found in Japanese toners:
- Butylene Glycol (BG) has a high water retention but it is less stickier than glycerin. BG is a type of polyalchol that's commonly found in different skincare and cosmetic products.
- Glycerin is another type of polyalocohol that's known to be highly absorbent.
- Hyaluronic Acid is a component that is already present in our skin. When combined with glycerin, this makes up for a highly moisturizing ingredient.
- Collagen can also be found in our bodies. It is a fibrous protein that cannot be absorbed by the skin. Collagen can be absorbed or penetrated by the skin once its molecular weight has been reduced.
- Trehalose is a type of sugar that has high water retention properties so it is also commonly found in skincare products.
Aside from these ingredients, many makers have also come up with their proprietary moisturizing ingredients.
Ethanol Doesn't Automatically Mean That it is Drying
We frequently hear that a product that contains ethanol is dehydrates the skin. However, ethanol, itself, does not have any drying properties. You might have felt a tightening sensation on the skin but that does mean it is dehydrating the skin.
Be informed that ethanol is not a drying ingredient so it is totally fine to choose toners that contain them. Some of the products we tested contained ethanol yet they were still hydrating so do check them out!
Because of the tightening sensation on the skin, ethanol is often misunderstood as a drying ingredient. However, ethanol found in cosmetic products are neither drying nor does it have a disinfecting effect. Ethanol for disinfecting and ethanol for cosmetic products have different concentration levels.
For people with alcohol allergies or atopic dermatitis, it is best to avoid ethanol. However, because of its many uses, many people like it.
4 Best Japanese Toners to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fancl Moist Refine Lotion | | Light, Refreshing, and Highly Moisturizing! | |
2 | Ipsa The Time Reset Aqua | | Moisturized Skin in a Jiffy With This Quick-Absorbing Toner | |
3 | Hada Labo Goku-Jyun Hyrating Lotion | | Great Quality With a Low Price! The Consistency is Quite Heavy but Very Moisturizing! | |
4 | Minon Amino Moist Charge Lotion I | | Lightweight Formula That Will Still Leave Your Skin Supple |
Light, Refreshing, and Highly Moisturizing!
Because of its light texture, this toner is best used for either spring or summer. For drier seasons, this toner may be a little lacking but the moisturizing power is still there!
As for the price, we are a little hesitant because it is only in 30 ml. However, this toner is highly recommended if you're going to travel. You will surely finish this toner so buying this toner is worth it.
Moisturized Skin in a Jiffy With This Quick-Absorbing Toner
To begin with, this toner from Ipsa has already gotten good reviews. Many like that this product comes in a simple yet very stylish bottle. Consistency-wise, it was very smooth and the skin absorbed it very quickly.
We'd say that the moisturizing power was above average and it left the skin soft and plump right away. It was also unscented and we felt that this toner left the skin moisturized properly.
Great Quality With a Low Price! The Consistency is Quite Heavy but Very Moisturizing!
The consistency of this toner leans on the heavier or thicker side so it took a little while for it to be absorbed by the skin. It also felt a little slick or sticky but this had the highest moisturizing power out of all the products we tested!
After using this toner, the skin felt really supple! Since this is available at a very affordable price, we recommend this product to those who want to have very moisturized skin!
Lightweight Formula That Will Still Leave Your Skin Supple
Although the consistency of this formula was very light, it still left the skin feeling supple! Contrary to what we expected, it's moisturizing power was less than average.
The bottle comes in just the right size with a push-type pump so it can be used with just a single hand. However, take note that with just one push, product will already squirt out.
How to Properly Apply Toner
After a choosing a toner that suits your skin best, it is also best to know how to properly apply it on your skin.
Using Your Palms, Warm the Toner to Body Temperature
Put the amount of toner that you need onto the palm of your hand. Slowly and gently rub your palms together to warm up the toner to body temperature. This will make the toner absorbed by the skin better.
Once the toner has warmed up, make sure that you've got your palms are entirely covered with the product and then gently massage your face. Gently press and pat your face, not slap, to allow the product to be more absorbed.
Don't Forget to Seal Moisture with Lotion, Essence, or Serum
No matter how good the toner is, moisture will evaporate if you do not use oil to lock in moisture. Don't forget to use a face lotion after the toner so as to help seal the moisture. Ideally, you should use a product that's from the same skincare line, but it is not necessary.
You may also use serums and essences after the toner, however, be reminded that you will need quite a heavy amount of product to help seal in the moisture so it is not really cost-effective. If you're already using a product with a hefty price, we don't really recommend this.
When Using a Cotton, Make Sure that the Cotton is Soaked
In case you want to use a cotton to apply your toner, make sure that you leave no dry spot and the cotton must be covered or soaked with the product.
When you leave a dry spot on your cotton, there is a tendency for it to soak up the healthy oils found on your skin which will then lead to dry skin. This is also the case for cotton masks. Again, make sure that the whole thing is soaked with the product before putting it onto your face. Also remember to remove the mask before it dries out.
Leaving out dry spots and not putting enough product to the cotton has no point at all. If you think that this is quite wasteful, it's better not to use cotton at all.
Generally, using a cotton to apply toner is not good. However, it is recommended for moms or those who have rough hands due to household chores to soak the cotton and use it as a mask.
Get That Clean and Glowing Skin!
Get ready to face another day with a skin that's clean, healthy, and glowing! If Japanese toners aren't your cup of tea, do check out our other toner recommendations.
Summary
This time, with the help of a skin specialist, we were able to test and compare many toners from different brands.
Since the skin is always exposed to different environmental factors like the outside air and UV, the skin is susceptible to drying out fairly quick. Based on our buying guide and how we tested the products, we hope that you get the best skincare product to give your skin the care it needs!
Author: Yukina Matsuda / Translation: I Honda
Photos: Koichi Miura, Yoshio Yoshida
Top 4 Japanese Toners
No. 1: Fancl｜Moist Refine Lotion
No. 2: Ipsa｜The Time Reset Aqua
No. 3: Hada Labo｜Goku-Jyun Hyrating Lotion
No. 4: Minon｜Amino Moist Charge Lotion I
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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