Abiola's Top 10 Hydrating Toners and Essences

Abiola's Top 10 Hydrating Toners and Essences

When it comes to hydrating products, skincare expert and blogger Abiola (@lifewithabiola) has got it down. If you're a victim to dryness and acne like Abiola, then you'll love what she's come up with for her list of her 10 favorite hydrating toners and essences. She says: 

"I love hydrating my skin, and a healthy moisture barrier is very important. That why I'd like to show you some of my favorite hydrating toners and essences. 

Before I do that, I need to tell you what toners and essences are! Toners are usually used after cleansers and have different uses; here, we are focusing on hydrating toners that hydrate your skin and prep it for your next skincare steps. 

Essences are a hybrid of toners and serums, and they are more concentrated. You're meant to pat them into the skin after your toner before your serums, giving you maximum hydration without clogging your pores."
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Abiola Adebayo
Skincare Expert & Consultant, Beauty Blogger

Abiola is a certified skincare expert with dry, acne-prone skin. She's a skincare lover and product junkie, and she loves to help people understand the impor... See More

  • Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Essence 2% Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Naturium
    Hyaluronic Acid Essence 2%

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is a really good hydrating essence for every skin type. I generally don't buy hyaluronic acid serums because I run out fast due to using them twice a day. That's why it's more economical to just buy an essence like this one! 

    It contains 2% hyaluronic acid and it's not heavy, so you can easily pat it onto your skin right after your toner to prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. I always suggest patting into damp or slightly wet skin or right after your toner with no wait time.
    $16.00
  • Laneige Cream Skin Refiner Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Laneige
    Cream Skin Refiner

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is a very popular product by a huge K-beauty brand. I know it says toner and moisturizer in the product description, but I don't think it's right to be used as a moisturizer. It's not an emulsion, but it can pass as a great essence, and it's a very good toner especially for normal-dry skin. 

    I like this because it not only hydrates the skin, but it also softens and conditions the skin. It's especially great for if you exfoliate a lot and need to keep that moisture barrier healthy. You can easily use this with cotton pads or just pat into your skin after using an exfoliating toner.
    $33.95
  • TONYMOLY Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    TONYMOLY
    Wonder Ceramide Mochi Toner

    Abiola Adebayo

    I keep buying this because the price is great, and it's one of the best toners I have ever used! It's similar to the Laneige cream skin except it's more water-based (which means it's less oily). It's also much thicker, packed with ceramides and antioxidants for softer, more hydrated skin. 

    This toner feels like a very refreshing glass of water but for your skin. It helps so well with dehydrated skin, so even oily skin can benefit from this and not worry about clogged pores!
    $23.00
  • Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Isntree
    Hyaluronic Acid Toner

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is a really thick hydrating toner that can also be patted into the skin as an essence instead of buying a separate hyaluronic acid serum. It contains three kinds of hyaluronic acid and is very hydrating. It can help soothe inflammation, too! 

    This is thick but would not clog pores since it's water-based. This also makes it great for all skin types and also gives you soft and hydrated skin. Plus, it strengthens the moisture barrier! This toner not only hydrates, but it also plumps your skin giving it a glowing appearance.
    $17.99
  • Rovectin Skin Essentials Activating Treatment Lotion Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Rovectin
    Skin Essentials Activating Treatment Lotion

    Abiola Adebayo

    The Rovectin Treatment Lotion is an essence specially formulated to nourish, hydrate, and soothe this skin as well as strengthen the moisture barrier. It's especially great for sensitive or sensitized skin! It feels really good to apply on the skin, too. You can immediately feel its soothing effects. 

    This essence is packed with antioxidants and nourishing ingredients like niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and panthenol (Vitamin B5) to soothe, calm, and nourish the skin. It's also oil-free and, just like my other favs, it doesn't contain any drying alcohol.
    $23.00
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner Image 1
    Source：sephora.com

    First Aid Beauty
    Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is one of the few non-Korean beauty toners I absolutely love. It reminds me of the TONYMOLY Mochi Toner and the Laneige Cream Skin Toner since it's also thick, milky, and hydrating. This one is great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin! 

    It contains oats and honey to soothe and nourish the skin, as well as hyaluronic acid and glycerin for maximum hydration. Some days, I use cotton pads, and other days, I pour and pat directly into my skin. 

    It's not going to clog your pores, it's non-irritating, and it's a big help on days that you over-exfoliate your skin.
    $22.00
  • Blithe Vital Treatment Essence Image 1
    Source：walmart.com

    Blithe
    Vital Treatment Essence

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is a luxurious K-beauty essence packed with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and a lot of antioxidants. It also contains eight different beans extracts like black soybeans, carob beans, mung beans, and more.

    This one is specially made for skin needing help with premature aging, as it contains ingredients to firm the skin and, of course, deeply hydrate and strengthen the moisture barrier.

    I'm not usually moved by packaging, but I do love this! It has a different consistency than other essences I've used, and it's also great for all skin types.
    $29.50
  • COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    COSRX
    Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

    Abiola Adebayo

    This is my all-time favorite essence! I recommend this a lot to my clients with all kinds of skin inflammation, including acne. It does an amazing job of soothing and calming flare-ups, and it also helps with healing the skin. 

    It has a really thick consistency, and unless you're allergic to snails, this shouldn't cause any issues at all. It's great for all skin types and provides that extra-bouncy layer of hydration. 

    If you're suffering from skin dullness, dehydration, inflammation, irritated, or sensitized skin, then you're going to love this. It can be used day and night after toners. I try to use two or three pumps on each side of my face, but I can be heavy-handed with hydrating products! Still no issues.
    $16.23
  • Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid Moisturizing Toner Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Dr.Jart+
    Ceramidin Liquid Moisturizing Toner

    Abiola Adebayo

    The Ceramidin Liquid says it is a toner, but I think this would work best used an essence. That's what it feels and looks like! 

    It contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides to really soften and hydrate the skin. I know a few people that use this as a lightweight moisturizer in the summertime. 

    This would help with dryness, dehydration, and dull skin; and every skin type would benefit greatly from this. it contains everything to hydrate, soothe, nourish the skin as well as strengthen the moisture barrier. I pour some into my palm and massage or pat into my skin. Simple!
    $23.20
  • Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Skin Essence Image 1
    Source：amazon.com

    Hanskin
    Real Complexion Hyaluron Skin Essence

    Abiola Adebayo

    Hanskin is a great brand when it comes to hydration! It's no wonder I keep buying this particular essence. It's not as thick as the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence, but it's not completely lightweight, either. 

    It's full of hyaluronic acid and many other antioxidants and hydrating ingredients. You'll love the soothing feeling, too, especially on nights that you use exfoliating toners. 

    It will leave your skin feeling really soft and smooth and looking plump and dewy. Hydrated skin is glowing skin! This is also good for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
    $25.00