🇫🇷France

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water for mature skin

Superior

  • SuperiorNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for mature skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your normal skin is provided by glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, which offer superior hydration, while Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract and Tocopherol work to address your concerns about wrinkles and fine lines with their antioxidant properties.
  • Beta-glucan further supports your skin barrier, enhancing overall skin health and resilience.
  • The product is safe for your skin, containing soothing ingredients like honey and licorice root extract with no harsh or prohibited components.

How to apply

  • You can use this hydrating toner AM and PM every day to keep your skin smooth. Always pair with SPF in the morning to protect your skin.
  • Apply your hydrating toner right after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the hydrating toner into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the hydrating toner on slightly damp skin to help it absorb better and lock in moisture.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area during application. Do a simple patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 1.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, this toner is highly praised for its deep hydration and luxurious, non-sticky texture, effectively creating a plump and dewy complexion. It is particularly beneficial for dry and dehydrated skin, offering a soothing effect and a pleasant herbal scent that many enjoy. Some users find the fragrance to be strong, and the price point is considered high, though its effectiveness is frequently noted.

Highlights

  • Deep hydration Mostly Mentioned
    • “saved my moisture barrier”
    • “plump and hydrated”
    • “drinks it up”
    • “sinks in quickly”
  • Luxurious texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “gel-like consistency”
    • “not sticky”
    • “absorbs immediately”
    • “silky feel”
  • Soothing effect Often Mentioned
    • “calms redness”
    • “soothing and relaxing”
    • “relieves tightness”
    • “comforts irritated skin”
  • High price point Often Mentioned
    • “very expensive”
    • “investment piece”
    • “pricy for a toner”
    • “wait for sales”
  • Herbal scent Sometimes Noted
    • “spa-like smell”
    • “relaxing hanbang scent”
    • “smells expensive”
    • “therapeutic aroma”
  • Radiant finish Sometimes Noted
    • “glass skin effect”
    • “healthy glow”
    • “dewy complexion”
    • “brightens dullness”
  • Strong fragrance Sometimes Noted
    • “smell is overpowering”
    • “strong herbal scent”
    • “too perfumed”
    • “smells like ginseng”
  • Heavy packaging Rarely Noted
    • “heavy glass bottle”
    • “hard to travel with”
    • “fear of dropping”
    • “difficult to dispense”
  • Potential irritants Rarely Noted
    • “contains alcohol”
    • “caused breakouts”
    • “stung sensitive skin”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, influenster.com, beautylish.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water one of the best fits for mature skin?

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is one of the best fits for mature skin because it uses sodium hyaluronate and glycerin to provide deep hydration, while antioxidants like licorice root extract and tocopherol help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Beta-glucan also supports your skin barrier for overall health, and soothing ingredients like honey make it safe and gentle.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for mature skin?

Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide deep hydration, while licorice root extract and tocopherol help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Beta-glucan further supports your skin barrier, keeping it resilient and healthy.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for mature skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps mature skin by deeply boosting moisture, improving elasticity, and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Regular use keeps the skin looking plump and soft while supporting overall firmness and hydration.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Skin Research and Technology, 2024

What does Honey do for mature skin?

Honey helps mature skin by keeping it soft and hydrated while reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It is unlikely to irritate and provides antioxidants that protect skin cells from UV aging.

Antioxidants, 2026Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2018

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for mature skin?

This toner goes right after cleansing in both your morning and evening skincare routines. It helps prep your skin with deep hydration while soothing and supporting your skin barrier.

The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017

Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this toner with retinol by applying the toner first to hydrate your skin and then following with your retinol treatment. Using a hydrating toner before retinol helps prep your skin and is unlikely to cause irritation since the formula contains soothing ingredients like honey and licorice root extract.

Cutis, 2006

How often should I use this toner?

You can use this toner twice a day as part of your morning and evening routine. Its hydrating and soothing ingredients help keep mature skin soft and smooth while supporting your skin barrier with a safe and gentle formula.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin since it features a safe, soothing formula without harsh components. It helps keep skin soft and smooth while supporting overall skin health.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

It contains fragrance (parfum, limonene, and linalool) and drying alcohol (alcohol).

What the research says

  • Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.

    Experimental Dermatology, 2015
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Honey-based dressings reduced mean healing duration, length of hospital stay, and VAS pain scores compared with povidone iodine-based dressings in 1236 participants.

    Journal of Wound Care, 2021
  • Topical honey application improved the mean duration of attacks and pain, occurrence of crusting, and healing time compared to acyclovir cream in 16 adult patients with recurrent labial and genital herpes lesions.

    Medical Science Monitor, 2004
  • Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.

    Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015
  • Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.

    Advanced Science, 2025
  • Topical application of Glycyrrhiza glabra and Sophora japonica flavonoid-rich fractions individually and in combination significantly increased the wound healing rate and reduced oxidative stress compared to wound and Nolaver-treated groups.

    Molecules, 2023
  • A combination of five-colored plants (mung bean, white truffle, black truffle, chrysanthemum, and Lycium barbarum) at 0.5% concentration improved fibroblast wound healing by 59.89%, reduced cellular senescence markers by 76.32%, and increased epidermal thickness and collagen levels in an ex vivo skin model compared to a negative control.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical administration of phenolic-containing Lycium barbarum extract decreased ROS levels and matrix metalloproteinase expression while increasing antioxidant defenses, skin collagen content, and barrier proteins, leading to an improvement of UV-induced skin erythema, thickness, and wrinkles in mice.

    Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2022
  • Lycium barbarum polysaccharide pretreatment effectively protects HaCaT cells and mouse skin from blue-light-induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing elevated cellular autophagy and mitophagy levels.

    Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2024
  • Topical green tea and green tea plus lotus multiple emulsions reduced casual sebum secretions compared to placebo in healthy adults, with the combined treatment producing significantly greater reductions than green tea alone over a 60-day period.

    Hippokratia, 2013
  • Combined topical application of lotus and green tea improved facial skin surface parameters including roughness, scaliness, smoothness, and wrinkling in healthy Asian men compared to single treatments and placebo.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2013
  • Cosmetics containing lotus-derived callus extract showed a significant skin-whitening effect in 21 volunteers.

    Plants, 2023

Ingredients

Water, Alcohol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Glycerin, Peg Ppg-17 6 Copolymer, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Honey, Miel, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-Polymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Root Extract Rhizome, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Parfum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Limonene, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Propanediol, Bht, Acetic Acid, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.