Toners

Start from how your skin behaves. If it flushes or feels stressed, the Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner is the easy yes. For dullness, reach for the I'm from Rice Toner, and shine by midday points to the ROUNDLAB 1025 Dokdo Toner. Skin that feels tight all day wants the Torriden DIVE IN Toner, with five sizes of hyaluronic acid.

Toner first, essence after. The toner goes straight onto clean skin and preps it, while an essence is usually a little thicker and carries more of the actives. If you only keep one of the two, keep a hydrating toner. Apply both while the face is still slightly damp so nothing is left to evaporate.

Hands, for a hydrating toner: pour a little into your palm, warm it between both hands and press it into the face, so nothing is wasted on cotton. A pad suits an exfoliating toner such as the SOME BY MI AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner, where a light sweep gives an even layer. Never drag a dry pad across the skin.

Seven thin layers of a hydrating toner, patted in one after another, each left a moment to sink in before the next. It grew out of Korean routines for very dehydrated skin. The practical version is two or three layers on dry days and one the rest of the time, always with a watery toner rather than an acid one.