Episode Title: Korean Skin Toner Trends 2020
Over the last few years in Korea there’s been an explosion of different methods for toning the skin, as well as new categories of products to support them. Today, I’m sharing the Top 3 Trending Toning Methods in Korea right now, how to do them and which products you can use for them.
Toner is known by various different names in Korea – “Skin”, “Toner”, “Softener” and even “Booster”.
This year’s hottest trends are:
1. The 7 Skins Method;
2. The DDak To Method;
3. The Chap To Method
One of the hottest trends to emerge in Korean skincare is the ‘7 Skin Method’. This unique method involves layering your toner for more hydrated, healthier looking skin.
What is It: The 7 Skin Method is an additional step in your skincare routine that involves applying a moisturising toner in 7 thin layers. You then remove other layers like essence, serum, ampoules and lotions.
Why 7 Skins: The idea is to deeply hydrate the skin and seal in the newly added hydration with an occlusive, like a moisturiser.
Why the Name: The name for this method comes from the Korean word for “toner”. Toners in Korean are commonly referred to as “skins”, so the literal translation for this method is the “7 Toner Method”.
The technique is simple:
1. Firstly, after cleansing your face, splash some toner onto a cotton pad and apply it to your face and neck.
2. Secondly, while your face is still damp, pour the same toner into your hands and pat a thin layer into your face.
3. Thirdly, repeat step 2 five more times.
4. Finally, apply your moisturising cream over the top. If you’re applying the 7-Skin Method in the morning, move onto your sunscreen and makeup.
Tips: Play around with your layers and work out the perfect number for your skin. You might find your skin doesn’t need the full 7 layers and that’s okay – stop when your face feels fully hydrated! If your skin is particularly dry, feel free to do more than 7 layers.
Choosing the right toner is key for the 7 Skin Method because the wrong toner may end up irritating your skin instead. The ideal toner is something with low-no alcohol in it’s formula, little to no added fragrance and no dyes. Avoid anything with acids in it either.
APLB Centella Mist Toner – This unique all-in-one mist is perfect for the face and body, helping to care for troubled or sensitive skin wherever it occurs. Apply it anywhere your skin is rough, bumpy, red or sensitized for immediate soothing relief.
Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner – a cruelty-free toner formulated for dry, sensitive skin that combines traditional oriental medicine ingredients with modern skincare.
iUNIK Vitamin Hyaluronic Acid Vitalizing Toner – a revitalizing post-cleanse toner that contains Hyaluronic Acid (45%) and Seabuckthorn Extract (5%). It offers deep hydration, making it the perfect choice for rough, dry skin.
Because it guarantees glowing skin! The seven-skin method allows your skin to drink up the toner more than it normally would by letting the skin soak up one layer at a time.
It’s also a great way of reducing the number of skincare products you’re applying to your skin. You can forego your usual treatments and just use your toner instead. This makes the 7 Skin Method perfect for those with sensitive skin (provided you choose the right toner!)
It’s also great for those on a budget, as it allows you to reduce the amount of skincare products you are using.
Last but not least, the 7 Skins Method is perfect for travel. By using your toner instead of your usual bevy of products, you’ll cut down on excess luggage.
This is a new toner method becoming popular in Korea. It is perfect for people with generally lacklustre skin in need of gentle exfoliation.
Who Should Do It:
Oily Skin = Good
Dry Skin = Okay
Sensitive Skin = Bad
How it’s Different to 7 Skins: This one is more about exfoliation and removing grime. It’s popular among people who wear makeup. This is different from the 7 Skins Method, which is about hydration.
The Ddak To Method is a method of using your toner as another step in cleansing. This is designed to get rid of any debris or substances left over. It offers gentle exfoliation with a cotton pad.
You soak a cotton pad with a special type of toner and then really gently rub this all over your face. It has a double function of cleansing and hydrating the skin at the same time.
The ingredients in the toner are really important for this method as well, as you will be essentially massaging it all over your face and neck with the cotton pad.
The other thing is that because you’re applying so much product, don’t use anything too expensive because you’ll be going through a lot more product than you usually would.
How to Do It:
1. You do this toning method straight after cleansing your face while your face is still wet (don’t wipe the water off it)
2. Instead, go straight in with your Ddak To toner.
3. You need to follow the natural grain of your skin.
Why the Name: Ddak Da means “to wipe” in Korean. And that’s why this method is the Ddak To method (“To” is for Toner)
What Toners to Use:
Water-type toners need to be used for this one. Try:
iUNIK Tea Tree Relief Toner – a dual-function toner that’s perfect for sensitive skin, containing star calming ingredients tea tree (67%), centella asiatica (20%) and portulaca extract to moisturise and nourish while keeping skin clean and clear.
Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner – Perfect for oily and combination skin types, this toner uses natural, EWG “green grade” ingredients to balance and nourish the complexion. The formula is 100% vegan and cruelty free and has a pH of 5.8, making it perfect for the 7 skins method.
What is It: This is a method of applying toner in your hand and then gently patting it into the skin to help absorption.
How to Do It:
Pour the toner into your hand and then gently pat it into your skin At the last step, press your palms into your face until the last of the toner is absorbed.
Why the Name: “Chap Chap” mimics the sound you make as you’re patting the toner into your skin. And then To stands for ‘Toner’. Put them together and you’ve got “Chap To”.
What Toners to Use
You’ll need a thick-type toner for this one.
Try products containing ingredients like ceramides, creams and beta glucan in them.
Laneige’s Cream Skin Refiner is perfect for this method.
"The ideal toner is something with low-no alcohol in it’s formula, little to no added fragrance and no dyes. Avoid anything with acids in it either."
- Lauren Lee, Host of the Korean Beauty Show podcastComments will be approved before showing up.