Haruharu Wonder's Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is the product that persuades people the toner step is worth having.

Most toners are water with a fragrance and a claim attached. This is different in two respects. It is slightly viscous - closer to a first serum than a wipe-off product - and it is built on fermented black rice as the base rather than as an extract near the end of the list. Fermentation breaks the rice into smaller fragments that skin takes up more readily than a raw extract.

The ingredient list is short and there is no fragrance, which is why it suits reactive skin as well as it does. Hyaluronic acid provides the essence-like weight and the plumping most people notice within a week, with panthenol keeping skin comfortable through layering.

Apply to damp skin after cleansing, pressing rather than wiping. The Korean approach is two or three thin layers on a dry evening rather than one heavy application. Follow with serum and moisturiser.