Toners used to be a take it or leave it product. A somewhat superfluous step between cleansing and moisturising—or active serums—that was largely reserved for proponents of multi-step skincare routines and eschewed by everyone else. Recent years have seen toners reenter the fray by way of lightweight leave-on exfoliants with water-like textures, but for those seeking hydration and moisture in equal measure, a milky toner is the way to go. Like many skincare phenomenons, milky toners arrived by way of Korea. Vastly different to the astringent toners evangelised by the skincare brands of yesteryear, the milky toners of today act as a drink of water—or milk, perhaps—for the skin, imbuing it with both hydration and moisture and leaving it feeling plump and comfortable.
As with any skincare product, iteration and innovation has resulted in two streams of milky toners; the old guard and the new kids on the block. The old guard refers to milky toners which solely focus on skin barrier function, providing hydration, moisture, and comfort by way of universally pleasing skincare ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, peptides, and Centella asiatica (cica). It’s worth noting that these milky toners are made by both new and established Korean and western skincare brands alike; they’re just traditional in their treatment goals and formulation. Meanwhile, the new kids on the block are a rising crop of milky toners with active ingredients — typically exfoliants. These exfoliating milky toners combine exfoliating acids and brightening active ingredients with gentle, soothing ingredients, resulting in products that transform the appearance of skin tone and texture while supporting the skin barrier.
Our favourite milky toners span both classic moisturising formulas to hybrid products that blend exfoliating acids with the soothing ingredients and comforting texture characteristic of the product category.
But, before we get into our favourite milky toners, let’s address a common question: do milky toners actually contain milk? Fortunately, for our lactose intolerant and vegan readers, milky toners don’t actually contain any form of dairy — the term ‘milky’ simply refers to the consistency.
Below, the best milky toners on the market, as vetted by the Albert Review team.
1. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
Price: $28AUD (150ml)
Made with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and fermented black rice extract, the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is a lightweight milky toner that comforts the skin while promoting hydration and better skin elasticity. There’s also ginseng root extract which works alongside the fermented black rice to brighten and energise the skin.
“This has the most rich, luxurious texture and feels intensely hydrating without being heavy on the skin. It does have fragrance (there’s also a fragrance-free version), but it’s not cloying or irritating on the skin.” — Arabella Johnson, beauty editor
Key ingredients: black rice extract, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ginseng root extract
2. Rhode Glazing Milk
Price: $55AUD (124ml)
“Does Hailey Bieber need my money? Absolutely not. After four years on the market, is my brain able to comprehend the Tiktok-speak sentence that is “one of everything really good?” Absolutely not. Despite these two crucial points, the Rhode Glazing Milk is pretty damn great. Made with ceramides, vitamin E, glycerin, and a blend of magnesium, zinc, and copper, the Rhode Glazing Milk is a thick milky toner that works to strengthen the skin barrier and provide lasting moisture. It also really does live up to its name, providing a ‘glazed’ finish when worn.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Key ingredients: ceramides, magnesium, zinc, copper, vitamin E, glycerin
3. Laneige Cream Skin
Price: $55AUD (170ml)
A favourite among the whole AR team, Laneige Cream Skin is one of the first K-beauty milky toners that achieved mainstream recognition in the western market. Made with a Cerapeptide complex (a blend of ceramides and peptides), green tea extract, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, it instantly replenishes the skin’s moisture and hydration levels while supporting skin barrier function with consistent use.
“I have oily skin and find the Laneige Cream Skin is moisturising enough to use without a separate moisturiser or cream over the top. I like to swap out the lid for a spray top and just spritz it on after washing my face.” — Theo Rosen, journalist
Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, meadowfoam seed oil, hyaluronic acid, squalane, green tea
4. Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk
Price: $35AUD (160ml)
As the name suggests, green tea and ceramides are the hero ingredients in the Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk, which work alongside peptides and nine types of hyaluronic acid to reinforce the skin barrier and restore moisture and hydration.
“My skin isn’t too sensitive to products, but it is pretty reactive and prone to redness and dryness with environmental changes. I find the Innisfree Green Tea Ceramide Milk, used along with the ceramide cream from the same range, helps prevent dryness and flakiness during the winter and reduces the frequency of red patches and irritation. Its consistency is more skim milk than full cream, so I’d recommend it to those who prefer a more weightless product to a thicker formula.” — John Deckard, publisher
Key ingredients: ceramides, peptides, green tea, hyaluronic acid
5. Aestura Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence
Price: $29AUD (100ml)
Korean beauty brand Aestura’s Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence is designed with dry and sensitive skin in mind, working to support and replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. It does this through what the brand dubs ‘BMF’, or barrier moisture factors, which is a blend of amino acids, minerals, PCA, lactic acid, sugars, and urea.
“I was recently in Korea and used this—along with the brand’s Atobarrier365 Hydro Soothing Cream—for the trip. Despite the severe humidity and increased pollution, my typically acne-prone skin remained breakout-free and stayed consistently hydrated. The consistency of the Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence was more like a lightweight lotion than a thin milk, but I didn’t find it too heavy for daily use in the summer, with a little going a long way. It also worked well under sunscreen and makeup, giving me a well moisturised base sans any pilling.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Key ingredients: BMF (barrier moisture factors); glycerin, squalane, PCA, lactic acid, urea
6. Naturium Multi Bright Milky Toner
Price: $31AUD (120ml)
One of the new kids on the block, the Naturium Multi Bright Milky Toner combines exfoliating azelaic acid, brightening licquorice root extract, and amino acid arginine with squalane, glycerin, and a rice milk blend to gently resurface the skin and reduce dark spots while conditioning the skin. The presence of soothing and moisturising ingredients prevent the irritation sometimes caused by exfoliation, making the Naturium Multi Bright Milky Toner gentle enough to use daily.
“This has been my go-to daily exfoliant during the winter months. I use it either alone or layered under the Multi-Bright Advanced Serum for something a little stronger. It’s helped even out some post-acne redness and works without causing any stinging or redness.” — Arabella Johnson, beauty editor
Key ingredients: glycerin, licquorice root extract, azelaic acid, arginine, fermented grape complex, squalane, rice milk
7. The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner
Price: $24AUD (100ml)
A highly gentle exfoliating milky toner, The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner pairs saccharomyces ferment (the process that converts yeast into sugar) which works as a gentle exfoliant with squalane to resurface the skin without causing irritation or redness. While suitable for all skin types, it’s particularly good for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Key ingredients: saccharomyces ferment, N-acetylglucosamine, squalane
8. Mecca Max Milk It Soothing Moisture Mist
Price: $30AUD (100ml)
An almost watery milky toner, the Mecca Max Milk It Soothing Moisture Mist comes in an easy spray on format, making it ideally suited to those averse to adding yet another step to their skincare routine. It’s made with soothing cica, hydrating panthenol, and emollient rich squalane, which work together to plump the skin and lock in moisture. Unlike other milky toners, it also works well to refresh your skin post-makeup.
Key ingredients: centella asiatica, niacinamide, panthenol, squalane, aloe vera
9. Fenty Skin Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence
Price: $47AUD (100ml)
Ideally suited for dry or sensitive skin, the Fenty Skin Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence uses niacinamide to minimise the appearance of pores and refine skin texture, while hyaluronic acid, panthenol, glycerin, squalane and green tea extract provide moisture and antioxidant support.
“This really is a fat water. Or perhaps it should be called ‘fat milk’? I’m a fan of the original Fenty Fat Water and this milky toner iteration has the same thicker consistency that sits somewhere between an essence and a gel serum. I prefer this to thinner formulas which I feel like slip between my fingers before they get remotely near my face; this is easy to apply but still quick to absorb and imparts a nice dewy glow.” — Esmé Duggan, journalist
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, tamarind extract, panthenol, niacinamide, vitamin E, cherry extract, green tea extract
Words by Arabella Johnson
