These are the 9 best milky toners I’ve tried for glass-like glow
They’re a fairly new phenomenon, but milky toners could be the secret to getting your glowiest skin yet. These are the ones we rate
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Milky toners are having moment. Like most of the exciting things happening in skincare right now, they have arrived via Korea. On first glance, it would be easy to dismiss them as yet another K-beauty trend or as a copycat riff on milky serums. They are, however, rebooting the entire toner category. When we think of traditional toners, we tend to imagine an uncompromising liquid that exfoliates the skin, often leaving it feeling tight and thirsty in the process. But that’s just not what most of us want from a toner any more. Instead we expect every step in our skincare routine to help deliver plump, flawless glass skin – and the new wave of milky toners were created with this in mind.
What are milky toners?
Milky toners have the watery essence consistency of a toner but the hydration capabilities of a light moisturising lotion. They sink in almost instantly, which makes them a brilliant first step for prepping skin before the rest of your routine, or before makeup goes on top.
And it’s their lightweight texture that makes them so versatile. They’re ideal for sensitive or compromised skin that needs hydration without being overwhelmed by heavier formulas, but I’ve also found them to be a game-changer for oily-combination skin like mine. They hydrate without tipping over into “too much”, which makes them especially brilliant during hot weather, when anything remotely rich or thick feels unwelcome on your face.
There are now more milky toners to choose from than ever. Here are the ones I genuinely rate and spend my own money on.
9 of the best milky toners
The one for instant dewiness
Fenty Beauty Fat Water Milky Toner Essence, £29
“Lots of toners, milky or not, are so watery and fluid that you lose half of them down your arm before you get them anywhere near your face. This has a thicker, almost gel-like texture (I guess that explains the name “fat water’?), which makes it very easy not only to pour out of the bottle but to apply. It feels instantly refreshing and leaves a dewy glow, which my tired skin always needs. Packed with hydrators plus niacinamide to help even out skin tone, this also has a light but fresh and slightly fruity scent, which makes using it even more of a delight.”
Buy NowThe one you can also use on your body
Prequel Half & Half Fluid Moisturiser, £28
“Just landed from the US and into Space NK is Prequel, founded by dermatologist Dr Sam Ellis. The entire range is designed for sensitive skin types, including those with eczema and rosacea. It contains ingredients to support the skin barrier, which then makes the rest of the actives work more efficiently. Plus, everything is under £30. This slightly thicker milky toner is one of the brand’s bestsellers. It’s lighter than a moisturiser but thicker than most toners (hence the half and half name). As well as feeling lovely on the face, it works a treat on the body too.”
Buy NowThe one for reactive skin
Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner, £11.99
“This is perfect for dry and sensitive or reactive skin, thanks its skin-strengthening lipids, ultra-hydrator polyglutamic acid and cica, which is known for calming skin and reducing redness. It is very fluid, but thankfully, the bottle has a stopper on the lid, so it drips out in very manageable droplets. I actually share this one with my 12-year-old as she doesn’t need heavy moisturisers and likes how lightweight but nourishing this feels.”
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The one for plumpness
The Inkey List Inkey Lab Nourishing Rice Milk Toner, £15
“Inkey Lab is a collection of products created by The Inkey List and its community of loyal followers. That community asked for a milky toner and the brand listened. It is slightly thicker in consistency than most, which some may find easier to work with as it doesn’t feel like it’s going to pour away in your hands. It contains ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier, boost collagen, and calm and comfort the skin.”
buy nowFor maximum glow
“I was surprisingly impressed by the original Rhode Glazing Milk, £32. Not being the key demographic for Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, I didn’t think it would do a lot for my 40+ skin, but it plumped and left it feeling silky smooth. She’s now added a highlighter makeup-skincare hybrid version to the range, with four shades – a pearly white, a glowy pink and two bronze tones. You get all the skin-strengthening ability from the original ceramide formula with the instant glow of pigments. It sits beautifully under makeup, giving you that covetable lit-from-within effect.”
buy nowThe budget one
Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Milky Toner, £6.37
“If you want to dip your toe into milky toners but don’t want to spend a fortune, this is a great starting point. It contains a few different formats of hyaluronic acid and there’s also a marine ferment, which boosts elasticity. Make sure to give this a good shake before using it to ensure it mixes properly. When you do, you get a lovely creamy, watery fluid that sinks in to skin instantly. And all for well under a tenner.”
Buy NowThe oily skin saviour
Anua Rice 70+ Ceramide Glowy Milky Toner, £19.80
“This is another one that needs a good shake before using. This formula contain niacinamide, which oily skins will particularly enjoy because it balances out sebum production and also helps tighten up pores. It doesn’t contain any light-reflecting particles but it does seem to make skin look instantly more luminous, which is a real win.”
buy nowThe one that tans
James Read Self Glow Golden Days Milky Tan Toner, £39
“Multi-tasking products are my raison d’être, so this milky toner, from celebrity tanning expert James Read, ticks lots of boxes. However, I have to caveat that this is not the tanning product for those that love a really deep shade, or the milky toner for those seeking out maximum hydration. This is because it has a mist applicator. From the tanning point of view, you only get a light spritz over the face so the result is a very subtle hint of glow and regarding the skincare, you only get a light dusting of hydrating and skin-calming ingredients. But it’s perfect if you only need dash of both elements.”
buy nowThe one for dry skin
Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence, £18.90
“Haruharu is a Korean brand that’s now available here, and this is one of their hero products. While it doesn’t have the words ‘milky toner’ in the name, it is very much one. It contains skin-calming fermented black rice as well as probiotics to keep skin balanced and happy. Give it a good shake before pouring into your hand or onto a cotton pad so that all the ingredients are mixed well together.”
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