Index / Pyunkang Yul / Essence Toner
Pyunkang Yul

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner.

About this product

A thick, essence-toner hybrid with a minimal ingredient list designed to deliver hydration and support a compromised or sensitive skin barrier.

Full ingredients

Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Carbomer, Arginine

More from Pyunkang Yul 8 products · Guru Score 84% →

Guru Score

67%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What they liked

  • Intense hydration with minimal irritants
  • Simplified ingredient list for sensitive skin
  • Long-lasting bottle

What they flagged

  • Heavy texture, slow to absorb
  • Does not meaningfully hydrate dry skin
  • Formula has shifted, may now contain allergens

What the gurus are saying

This toner's grape-jelly thickness and stripped-down formula earn consistent praise for intense hydration on sensitive and barrier-damaged skin, though the texture polarizes: those with oily skin may find it too heavy, and one long-time fan notes the brand has begun reformulating away from its sensitive-skin roots. The takeaway hinges on your skin type, dry or compromised skin tends to love it; oily skin often prefers something faster-absorbing.
Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take June 2024

Type

TonersLiquid

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
~Nay
"It's not worth it, it has a slightly heavy texture. I think they named it an Essence Toner because it's not just a watery toner, like it's supposed to work like a serum or an essence, but to be honest, not at all, it's not really a toner or an essence. If you have oily combo skin, a toner that absorbs immediately is better. If you have dry skin, it doesn't improve your dryness."
~Yay
"This is a product that's stripped everything down to the basics, it's all about adding in hydration. [...] No matter what you do with this, you get such intense hydration with such a low irritant formula. [...] This has been popular for years, and I think it's just a product where when you use it, you understand why."
All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole
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"This Essence Toner has been a long running favorite for me. It has a very short, simple ingredients list that appeals to my sensitive skin. This brand started as a brand for sensitive skin, but you all have asked me to review their latest release and I can't, because it has my allergens in it, they started changing things up. I liked the old formula, and it lasted me a while even with making sheet masks out of it."
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"This is a product that's stripped everything down to the basics, it's all about adding in hydration. [...] No matter what you do with this, you get such intense hydration with such a low irritant formula. [...] This has been popular for years, and I think it's just a product where when you use it, you understand why."
~Yay
"The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is like grape jelly. If you have a damaged skin barrier, if your skin is irritated, if you want an extra layer of hydration under your makeup during the day when you're out in the cold or even at night when you're going to bed, this is the answer. I have been swooned, I've been simping, I have been head over heels for this and my pores have been sipping this. The results speak for themselves."
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"If you are looking for something very inexpensive, the Pyunkang Yul is the best. Do get this from an actual retailer because unfortunately there are some retailers that sell fake Pyunkang Yul, so always check. This is like a grape jelly. It is thick. It is hydrating. If you want something to layer on your skin for winter, this is it."
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"The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is like grape jelly. If you have a damaged skin barrier, if your skin is irritated, if you want an extra layer of hydration under your makeup during the day when you're out in the cold or even at night when you're going to bed, this is the answer. I have been swooned, I've been simping, I have been head over heels for this and my pores have been sipping this. The results speak for themselves."
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"Essences are great for dry skin. The pyunkang yul essence is a great one because it won't exacerbate acne, but it's not my favorite whereas there is actually something created by face reality which is an acne clinic that is made for dry skin and acne."
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"This is the Essence Toner and it's like liquid grape jelly on your face. The ingredients are so simple, it's kind of like thick water and it is just so lovely to the skin and it absorbs phenomenally. The penetration of this product is unparalleled and it's not irritating to skin. If you have super sensitive skin or if you're going through a breakout or you've just got a bad sunburn, this is something that's actually safe to use on the skin. I freaking love this."
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"I don't care where in the world you are, if you have not tried these, you are missing out. This right here is probably hands down, whether it's k-beauty or not, one of my favorite products in the entire world. This is [...] basically liquid grape jelly. It's made of different amino acids, astragalus membranaceous root extract, and it is this thick syrupy thing."

Frequently asked.

What is Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner?

A thick, essence-toner hybrid with a minimal ingredient list designed to deliver hydration and support a compromised or sensitive skin barrier.

Is Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 67%.

What is Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner's Guru Score?

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner holds a Guru Score of 67%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner best for?

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

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