Pyunkang Yul PKY Essence Toner for Barrier Rebuilding, Highly Concentrated Essence Facial Toner, Minimal Ingredients, Zero-Irritation, Korean Skincare (6.8 Fl. Oz, 200ml)

I’ve been using the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner for years now, and it’s one of the very few skincare products I consistently repurchase. I have dry, uneven skin that gets irritated easily, and this toner has been a staple for keeping my skin balanced and comfortable. The texture is thicker than a typical toner—more like a light essence—but it absorbs beautifully and provides deep hydration without feeling heavy or greasy. I love that it has minimal ingredients and focuses on hydration rather than unnecessary additives. It’s never caused irritation, breakouts, or stinging, even when my skin barrier is compromised. I use it after my regular toner and before my serum, and it really helps my serum soak in better and feel more effective. With regular use, my skin feels softer, more hydrated, and looks more even overall. I also like layering it when my skin is extra dry, and it works perfectly under moisturizers both morning and night. If you have dry or sensitive skin and want something simple, effective, and reliable, this essence toner truly lives up to its reputation. It’s gentle, no-frills Korean skincare that actually works.

I've been using the product for over a month, twice a day! I'm always very thorough with my skincare since I suffer with rosacea and sensitive skin, so I'm leaving a VERY detailed review for those who want an in-depth look! I first saw this product while looking for essence on Amazon. After doing research and seeing my favorite dermatologist (Cassandra Bankson) suggest it for rosacea sufferers, I had to try it! !!!NOTE!!!: During this, I was also trying out these products at the same time which may have boosted results (I will be reviewing as well): -Paula's Choice Hydrating Gel to Cream Cleanser -Doppeltree RENEW Overnight Facial Mask with Aloe Vera Gel & Hyaluronic Acid ---------------------------- Performance- 10/10 -This product is incredibly gentle on the skin! For those who suffer with rosacea or sensitive skin but wish to still use a toner, then this is the product for you! Make sure your skin is moist before applying to get the best results! -My favorite part about this product is that there is no fragrance or alcohol added. Fragrance in general is bad for any skin type. Sure it smells nice, but can be an irritant that leads to hives, redness, and itchy skin. Alcohol (not to be confused with Fatty Alcohols) in products can dry out skin, disrupt the skin barrier, and strains the skin, making it weak. Alcohol is often used for product to dry faster and degrease the skin. So if you have dry or sensitive skin, this product is safe! ALSO: If you happen to have Malassezia (fungal acne) this product is also safe to use! -Note: Toners all together should be avoided by rosacea sufferers and those with sensitive or dry skin, so always go for essence instead! Toners focus more on PH balance and often contain alcohol which is harmful to those with rosacea and sensitive skin. Essence is more for hydration. And when your skin is hydrated, it is able to absorb products better! ---------------------------- Consistency/Quality- 10/10 -It feels very smooth, almost like a serum, and glides along the skin seamlessly. It dries fairly quick as well and works best when the skin is moist (like with any skincare product). The product never separates, but I always tend to shake it before each use just in case! ---------------------------- Ingredients- 9/10 -What I love a lot about this product is that there are only 7 ingredients! With any good skincare product, always use the K.I.S.S system: Keep It Simple Stupid! The less ingredients, the more like it is to be better for you! I also love that this product has Astragalus and Arginine. Just sad that Arginine isn't higher up on the ingredient list (meaning there is less of it in the product). -There are quite a few ingredients that don't hurt but don't really help with the skin, though they MAY have SOME properties. BUT- all of the ingredients listed are safe for sensitive and rosacea prone skin! A lot of hydrating properties, so if you have dryer skin, a bonus! Like I mentioned before, there is no alcohol and no fragrances! -Note: All my research for each ingredient is done through using "Paula's Choice Ingredient Dictionary", "INCIDecoder", and "SpecialChem". I highly recommend using these websites to do deeper dives on ingredients in your skincare! I also used "National Institutes of Health (NIH)" for one of these ingredients. ~Ingredient Overview~ -Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract (Astragalus/Milk-vetch root extract, herb)- Antioxidant, emollient, skin conditioning, anti-inflammatory, contains antiviral properties. -1,2-Hexanediol (a chemical relative to propylene glycol)- Synthetic preservative, solvent, moisture binding agent. But, is hydrating! -Butylene Glycol (1,3-Butanediol, organic compound)- Texture enhancer, humectant, solvent, penetration booster. But, is hydrating and MAY also decrease roughness on the surface of skin. -Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane (Silicon-based polymer/Silicone)- Skin conditioning agent, surfactant, foam booster, moisturizer. - Fun fact- Silicone is completely safe for your skin in cosmetics! (Source: Bains, Pooja, and Simplepreet Kaur. “Silicone in Dermatology: An Update.” Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Apr. 2023,) -Hydroxyethylcellulose (Chemical compound, naturally derived from cellulose)- Texture enhancer, film-forming agent, pH Adjuster/Stabilizer, natural thickener. Completely safe for skin. -Carbomer (Polyacrylic acid, a series of polymers that derive from acrylic acid)- Texture enhancer, pH adjuster/stabilizer, thickener. Can increase skin permeation and retention of key active ingredients. Completely safe for skin up to 15% concentrate. -Arginine (Amino Acid naturally present in the body)- Hydrating, anti-aging, antioxidant benefits, repairing for visible skin damage, key role in skin’s natural production of replenishing substances such as proline and urea. ---------------------------- Value For Money- 10/10 -Perfect value for your money! Real bang for your buck! It's been a month and I still have plenty after using it twice a day everyday! ---------------------------- Overall- 10/10!!! -This is a great product! I enjoy it greatly and believe those who suffer with rosacea, dry skin, and/or sensitive will enjoy it too! No fragrance, no alcohol, just 7 ingredients, and as gentle as ever! Absolutely love this!

So far I like this. It has a thick but watery texture, less creamy than Laneige and some of the other brands I have tried, but still leaves my skin feeling very nice. I pat a few drops all over my face after cleansing, then add a little more around my eyes. I do not notice any scent, and it is very nice in the AM, under sunscreen and makeup. It sinks in fast, but moisturizes well without making my skin look too wet, shiny, or greasy. I don’t notice any fragrance. Price is great, I love that the Korean brands are still so affordable.

I've been using this toner for about 2-3 years now and while it's a nice toner, there is really nothing to hoot and holler about. This toner does help with my sensitive skin when it gets really dry in colder weather, but it doesn't do much else for me. Also, it's lightweight, so I can still use it year-round without having to worry about it clogging my pores. It's extremely reliable which is why I have been using it for so long, but I'll probably change toners once I find one that does more than just hydrate.

This stuff is AMAZING! I have really sensitive skin so it is hard for me to find good products that won't affect my skin. I have been using this toner for several months now and it really hydrates my skin. I don't have to use so much product to cover my face so it lasts a good while.

Incredible product. Makes me skin feel amazing and tight. I have terrible dry patches and they’ve all gone away after week. But I am also using a salmon DNA serum after which may be helping with that. NIDA moisturizer as the last step as well. Skin has TRANSFORMED. Highly recommend this routine every night before bed. My skin type is dry. Now it’s soft and plump

Absolutely adore this toner. It is gentle and hydrating on my sensitive skin. It dries down quickly, making my skin feel plump and soothed. I have been using for a little over a month now, and will continue using it as a part of my daily routine. Highly recommend!

It’s Meh. Doesn’t do much