Swapping your toner, serum or cleanser for a milky version is an easy autumn skincare swap that’ll keep your skin soft, supple and moisturised in cold weather, reports L360 editor Mattie Lacey-Davidson.
As someone with dry and dehydrated skin (exacerbated by my weekly retinol use) who loves a dewy look without makeup, milky products are part of my skincare arsenal all year round.
But for those with combination or oily skin who like to keep things light over the summer, autumn is the perfect time to introduce a milky serum or toner into your routine to keep skin healthy and hydrated as the cold creeps in.
While products don’t actually contain milk, the consistency is a creamy liquid reminiscent of the white stuff that’s far more moisturising than its watery counterparts.
I’ve tried my fair share, from cleansers and serums to toners and essences, and here’s my pick of the very best milky skincare products for the most hydrated and moisturised skin of your life.
The best milky toners and essences
Rhode Glazing Milk
The best milky skincare product I’ve ever used, Rhode’s Glazing Milk (£30) leaves my skin the plumpest it’s ever been. It contains ceramides to moisturise and strengthen the skin barrier, beta-glucan to calm and moisturise, and minerals to defend from environmental aggressors. It’s pretty thick compared to other milky toners, so if you’re using a watery serum, I’d apply this after.
Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner
Giving similar results to Rhode, this milky toner from Byoma (£11.88) has been dubbed its dupe (by me and others). A little thinner in consistency, it delivers a similar effect, leaving my skin extremely plump and hydrated. With polyglutamic acid (and ingredient similar to hyaluronic acid that holds water in the skin for hydration) and centella asiatica (aka cica) to soothe and hydrate, it also has Byoma’s ‘proprietary barrier liquid complex’.
Paula’s Choice Calm Nourishing Milky Toner
This Nourishing Milky Toner from Paula’s Choice (£27) promises to hydrate, moisturise, soothe and reduce inflammation with allantoin and panthenol. It has a similar consistency to Byoma but is faster absorbing, so you’ll probably like this one best if you have oily skin.
TirTir Milk Skin Toner
A Korean skincare fave known to deliver ‘glass skin’ (a trend that hailed from the same place), this milky toner from TirTir (£24.90) not only intensely hydrates and soothes thanks to cica, chamomile and hyaluronic acid, but also brightens skin with rice bran and niacinamide.
Ilia Beauty The Face Base Milk
The priciest of the lot, Ilia’s milky toner (£58) will leave skin hydrated while soothing sensitivity, reducing redness and strengthening the skin barrier with squalane, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid (which hydrates while gently exfoliating). While it has a milky, liquid consistency, this one is a little thicker than the rest and more like a lotion (a watery moisturiser), so it’s best applied before moisturiser rather than before serums.
Templespa Be Quiet Milky Toner
A creamy, milky toner with a velvety feel, Templespa’s milky toner (£25) has squalane, fermented oats, niacinamide and Alpine rose to soften, soothe and hydrate, along with antioxidants to protect. Ideal for dry complexions, it’s been clinically tested on sensitive skin so a safe bet for anyone with reactive skin.
The best milky serums
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum
One of the best hyperpigmentation treatments on the market that doesn’t use retinol or chemical exfoliators, Caudalie’s Dark Spot Serum (£52) has a milky formula that can be used morning and evening and is safe for sensitive skin.
Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum
If you’re more concerned with fine lines than dark spots, opt for this firming serum from Caudalie (£52) instead. You can use it morning and evening (and use it with the Vinoperfect Brightening Dark Spot Serum), and it helps to firm the skin with olive squalane and vegetal glycerine as well as deliver hydration and moisture from its milky formula.
Byoma Hydrating Serum
My third and final recommendation from the brand, Byoma’s hydrating serum (£12.85) has a milky consistency with ceramides, squalane and glycerin to not only intensely hydrate but also moisturise the skin while reducing redness too.
Bioderma Sensibio Defensive Serum
A sensitive skin saviour, this is designed to hydrate, moisturise, soothe and calm skin thanks to vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. Bioderma’s Defensive Serum (£32) is my go-to serum for calming redness, but also works to plump the skin and reduce fine lines for anyone also concerned with signs of ageing.
The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum
This milky serum has a bright pink hue due to the vitamin B12 content — an ingredient which works to reduce dry skin and redness. It also has niacinamide, cica and ceramides to treat the same ailments. The Ordinary’s Soothing and Barrier Support Serum (£17.30) is more of a treatment product than an everyday one, as it’s formulated to heal a damaged skin barrier (which can happen if you irritate the skin or from skincare treatments like chemical peels).
Biossance Squalane and Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum
Promising to drench the skin in moisture thanks to squalane, while also reducing dark spots and brightening your skin tone with 10% vitamin C and shiitake mushroom, Biossance’s Dark Spot Serum (£50) contains a form of vitamin C that’s less drying but known for its brightening and anti-ageing benefits, making it a good option for sensitive skin.
The best milky cleansers
Byoma Milky Moisture Cleanser
The first of three Byoma recommendations (the brand has absolutely nailed milky skincare), this Milky Moisture Cleanser (£13.99) is fantastic for both dry and sensitive skin. Formulated with oat extract (oats are known to soothe skin) and panthenol (aka vitamin B5) — one of my favourite ingredients for both hydration and moisture — it also has a ceramide complex that aims to moisturise and support your skin barrier while it cleanses.
Eucerin DermatoClean Mild Cleansing Milk
Another dry and sensitive skin winner, this one from Eucerin (£21.25) is an extremely gentle cleanser that uses hyaluronic acid to hydrate while it works. It’s on the mild side, so if you’re wearing makeup you’ll definitely need to double cleanse with a balm or oil cleanser first. And while you don’t need to wash your face with a cleanser in the morning if you have drier skin (a splash of water will suffice), this is a great option if you prefer to use one.
ESPA Hydrating Cleansing Milk
Packed full of ingredients that soothe and moisturise — sweet almond, soya bean oils and chamomile — ESPA’s Hydrating Cleansing Milk (£27) promises to comfort skin while leaving it soft and smooth. However, those with sensitive skin should be warned that it does have fragrance and alcohol (not a problem for everyone with sensitive skin but can be for some).
