Speed Review: Etude House Soon Jung pH5.5 Relief Toner

It's been absolutely years since a toner (in the traditional sense) formed part of my skincare routine but my newfound love of Korean beauty has seen me finally reintroduce this step. I've introduced this as a step during my nighttime routine to ensure that I'm removing every trace of my cleanser before continuing on with the rest of my routine, although I stand by the fact that I haven't done this for years so it's more a "nice to add" rather than something I view as a necessity. Etude House Soon Jung pH5.5 Relief Toner appealed to me as a hydrating toner (it contains glycerin and panthenol) which is balanced to skin's natural pH to help maintain the health of the microbiome. It's aesthetically pleasing, presented in a squared off plastic bottle with minimalist design and I always appreciate being able to see how much of a product is remaining.

I like to apply this to a cotton round before sweeping over my face. It's a clear, watery liquid with no scent. A little goes a long way. The toner lives up to the claims and feels refreshing and soothing upon application. It's a gentle formula which can be applied all over, including around the delicate eye area. My immediate impression was that this would be a great choice for those with sensitive skin or perhaps, kept in the fridge and applied following sun exposure (although, of course, I don't recommend excessive or unprotected exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays!). Following use, skin is left feeling refreshed. The toner dries down quickly with no residue, leaving skin feeling hydrated and with no tightness or dryness and works well with the other products in my routine. Etude House Soon Jung pH5.5 Relief Toner costs £17.90 for 200ml.