Bought with my own money
Soon Jung is a cult-favorite line from Etude House. It’s an older K-beauty brand that isn’t as popular as it once was, but the Soon Jung line is still well-loved. It was even rebranded recently with a new design. I’ve tried only two products from this line: the toner and the cream. Let’s start with the toner.
First, let’s look at how the brand markets this toner. It’s a low pH, watery toner that restores the skin’s oil and water balance while hydrating it for hours. Formulated with Panthenol and Madecassoside, it helps nourish and strengthen the skin, protecting it against damage and stress.
Now, let’s take a look at the ingredient list. This toner contains only 15 ingredients, with Madecassoside being the fifth on the list — which is a rarity, as this Centella Asiatica derivative is usually listed much lower in other skincare products. This is definitely a plus. The toner also includes Panthenol (second to last), Green Tea Leaf Extract, and Betaine. Importantly, it’s free from Alcohol, Fragrance and Essential Oils. The texture is watery and runny with no scent and it comes in a 200ml plastic bottle.
My experience
When I first tried this toner, I was really impressed. It absorbed quickly and felt incredibly hydrating. I only needed two layers, but for dry skin, it’s recommended to use more. The no-scent, fast-absorbing formula and the hydration it provides are exactly what I look for in a hydrating toner. The simple ingredient list makes it even more appealing.
However... here’s the catch. After revisiting the toner recently, I found that it didn’t fit as well into my routine as I remembered. My morning routine consists of two toners: the first is a mild exfoliating toner to prep my skin, and the second is a hydrating toner with additional benefits. Unfortunately, this Etude toner didn’t work well with my prepping toner. It didn’t absorb as quickly as I initially remembered, and when I added my hydrating serum right after, both products took a long time to absorb, leaving a slightly tacky finish. I’m very sensitive to tacky or oily finishes, so this was a bit of a disappointment.
Looking at the ingredient list and my initial impressions, I wanted to love this toner. It’s fast-absorbing, hydrating, and scent-free. However, for it to work well, it needs to be part of a carefully considered routine. Otherwise, it may leave a tacky layer, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for a quick, smooth finish. Because of this, I can’t fully recommend it for those looking for a fast-absorbing, hydrating toner.
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