In this post, I’ll compare two popular milky toners—Byoma’s and The Ordinary’s—to help you decide which one best suits your skin needs.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Milky Toner Used For?
- What Does The Ordinary Milky Toner Do?
- What Does the Byoma Milky Toner Do?
- What Is Byoma Milky Toner Good For?
- Is Byoma Milky Toner Acne Safe?
- The Best Milky Toners for Acne Prone Skin
- Byoma vs. The Ordinary Milky Toner: Conclusion
What Is a Milky Toner Used For?
Before diving into a detailed comparison, it helps to clarify what a milky toner is. Milky toners are characterized by their white, milk-like appearance and thicker consistency compared to typical liquid toners. They’re designed to be hydrating, acting almost like a liquid moisturizer. Often, they’re used to layer on other serums and are typically sealed in with a moisturizer for enhanced hydration and skin barrier protection.
Key Benefits of Milky Toners
- Hydration Boost: Leaves skin feeling plump and supple.
- Enhanced Barrier Function: Aids in repairing and strengthening your skin’s natural barrier.
- Improved Skin Texture: Mild exfoliation (if included) can help refine skin texture.
- Soothing: Calms reactive or sensitive skin.
- Even Skin Tone: Can help diminish the appearance of dark spots over time.
What Does The Ordinary Milky Toner Do?
The Ordinary’s milky toner (Saccharomyces Ferment 30% solution) uses fermented ingredients to provide gentle exfoliation along with hydration. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Gentle Exfoliation: It utilizes yeast extract, which helps slough off dead skin cells in a mild way.
- Hydration: The high squalane content ensures that your skin stays moisturized, benefiting all skin types—from dry to oily.
- Minimalist Formulation: With very few ingredients, it’s less likely to trigger a reaction, making it appealing for acne-prone skin.
- Versatility: It can be combined with most other products in your routine.
One consideration: Although marketed for daily use, repeated gentle exfoliation might not suit everyone—especially when combined with other active ingredients like retinoids or AHAs/BHAs. Some users may experience redness or irritation if the exfoliation is too frequent.
What Does the Byoma Milky Toner Do?
In contrast, the Byoma milky toner is focused purely on hydration without any exfoliating components. It’s formulated to:
- Boost Hydration: Rich in ingredients like saccharide isomerate, which locks in moisture.
- Strengthen the Skin Barrier: Contains ceramide NP, an excellent barrier-builder.
- Enhance Skin’s Water Retention: Polyglutamic acid helps maintain skin hydration.
- Soothe and Calm: Includes centella asiatica extract for its calming properties.
- Additional Hydrators: Also features sodium hyaluronate and related compounds for added moisture.
Thus, while The Ordinary’s toner is both hydrating and exfoliating, Byoma’s version is dedicated solely to intense hydration and nourishment.
What Is Byoma Milky Toner Good For?
The Byoma milky toner excels as a hydrating and nourishing product. Its milky texture feels almost like an essence—delivering moisture that plumps and brightens the skin without any exfoliation.
- Ideal For:
- Sensitive skin types that require calm, gentle hydration.
- Dry, combination, and even rosacea-prone skin, thanks to its soothing ingredients.
- Usage: It works beautifully as either a toner or a serum in your overall routine, without risking irritation from exfoliating components.
Is Byoma Milky Toner Acne Safe?
When it comes to acne-prone skin, staying clear of formulations that over-hydrate with heavy oils is crucial. Some users have reported breakouts with the Byoma milky toner due to its rich hydrators. Personally, if you have very reactive acne-prone skin like mine, you might find it too heavy. However, reactions vary greatly; what triggers one person may work flawlessly for another.
The Best Milky Toners for Acne Prone Skin
Based on my comparison of Byoma vs. The Ordinary, the clear winner for acne-prone skin appears to be The Ordinary milky toner. Here’s why:
- Simpler Formulation: Fewer ingredients mean there’s less potential for irritation or allergic reactions.
- Mild Exfoliation: The gentle exfoliating effect can assist in keeping the skin clear by removing dead cells that might clog pores.
- Versatility: Its minimalist approach makes it adaptable for a broader range of skin types.
If you’re exploring alternatives, here are a few more top picks:
- [coat]s Gentle Hydrating Toning Milk: An underrated brand that offers a milky toner with added brightening benefits. I’d suggest using it as a treatment a few times a week rather than every day.
- Some By Mi Galactomyces Glutathione Glow Milky Toner: A simplified formula that even includes vitamin C for an extra glow, yet remains suitable for acne-prone skin.
Byoma vs. The Ordinary Milky Toner: Conclusion
To wrap it up, while both milky toners share a similar texture, their formulations serve different purposes:
- Byoma Milky Toner: Focuses solely on hydration and nourishment, but might be too rich for acne-prone skin if you’re sensitive.
- The Ordinary Milky Toner: Offers a dual-action approach with gentle exfoliation and hydration, making it a more balanced choice for those prone to acne.
When choosing a milky toner for acne-prone skin, look for formulas that avoid multiple heavy oils, added fragrances, and essential oils. These features are more likely to trigger breakouts. In my view, The Ordinary milky toner is the preferable option for most acne-prone skin types.
If you have any additional questions or need further comparisons, feel free to ask. Happy toning, and here’s to finding the perfect match for your skin!
