HI-REVIEW: Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Today I'm going to be reviewing a toner with only 7 ingredients, Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner. Yep, that's right, 7!! Packed with only healthy and necessary ingredients for your skin! 

This is my first time trying a Pyunkang Yul product and here's how it went.

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner has an ingenious, intensely hydrating formula designed to deliver nutrient-filled moisture to the skin. Water is not present here as 91.3% of this toner is milkvetch extract, full of skin-beneficial betaine and minerals. With the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-boosting properties of the root extract, this gel-type toner quickly absorbs to hydrate and strengthen skin. Fragrance, dye, and irritant-free.

Price: $24

Quantity: 200ml

How to use: After cleansing, apply a small amount with the palms of your hands, gently pressing and patting it into the skin for full absorption. Follow with moisturiser. 

Packaging: Semi-transparent plastic bottle 

Texture: Like its name, the texture is between a watery toner and a viscous essence. It is easy to spread and absorbs pretty quickly. 

Scent: I personally think there is no scent, but if you sniff hard enough (as one does when reviewing a product haha 😂) there is a tiny hint of herbal scent which dissipates instantly once you spread it.

Key Ingredient: Milkvetch root (also known as Astragalus Membranaceus Root) is a common Chinese Medicine used for its soothing and healing properties and known for strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation, and acting as an antioxidant. Pyunkang Yul claims that milkvetch root particles are smaller than purified water particles hence can penetrate deeper into the skin. 

Fun fact: I actually have some in my fridge and would have used them as photo props but they are not very aesthetic. 

Personal Thoughts

As a dry-skinned gal, I don't think the hydration is quite enough with the normal single layer of application. How I work around it is to layer the toner with up to 3 layers. My skin feels soft and supple after 3 layers, but best of all, not sticky! I know 3 layers sounds like a lot for a toner essence, but I never experienced any pilling and every product that I layered on top sat well on it. I tested this over the summer so I'm not sure if this method will give sufficient hydration for winter (for dry skin).

Overall, I really enjoyed this essence toner, from its texture to its nutrient properties. It didn’t cause any breakouts nor did it irritate my skin. I used it when my skin was slightly irritated too, and I'm happy to report that it didn't sting my face (that's a big win for sensitive skin).

I think this toner is suitable for sensitive, normal and oily skin. This would also be the perfect toner if you are a skincare junkie and love to include active ingredients (for example: AHA, BHA and retinol) in your routine. With the short and simple ingredient list, it is unlikely to cause irritation with the active ingredients.

Hope you found my review useful! Wishing you a nice hair and skin day 💕

- Written by. Simone Chiang