Milky Toners: The K-Beauty Trend Worth the Hype

The lightweight hydration hero that's pampering my skin better than luxury products 5x the price

Hello, Gorgeous!

A reader wanted to know more about milky toners. I had an a-ha moment as I realized that they’ve somehow sneaked into my medicine cabinet and daily routine (the milky toners, not the reader).

It happened when I went exploring alternatives to my beloved Clé de Peau Beauté Refining Essence I wrote about a few months back. While I was initially skeptical of yet another another K-beauty trend, I recently tried the I'm From Rice Toner ($23), and I get the hype. This lovely textured lotion has been pampering my skin in ways I didn't expect.

What exactly are milky toners?

Unlike traditional toners that are watery and often astringent, milky toners have a creamy, almost lotion-like consistency. You know. Like milk. In fact, they're called milky because of their white, cloudy appearance and thicker texture. If anything, they’re more of a hybrid between a toner and a lightweight serum.

The difference is immediately noticeable when you apply them. Where regular toners can leave skin…