It’s time to trade your favorite toner for the true star of your winter skincare routine: the milky essence. Here are the formulas that instantly bring back radiance, softness, and that unmistakable healthy glow.
by Kristina Mikulić GazdovićNovember 16, 2025
With the first switch of the heating, small but important changes start creeping into your routine. It’s not just your clothes and shoes that need adjusting — your skincare does too. Cold, dry winter air can do a number on the skin, and even my oily, acne-prone complexion goes through unexpected dry spells. Flaking, which I usually consider impossible for my skin, becomes an everyday thing if I don’t bring in richer, more nourishing textures.
My go-to fix for this seasonal shift? Swapping a classic hydrating toner for a light, silky milky essence. We could debate the difference between a milky essence and a milky toner, but I find those distinctions so small that it’s completely fair to treat them as equals.
This season, my pick is Chanel Éclat Premier Milky Essence, a silky formula that delivers glow and leaves the skin feeling luxurious. It impressed me so much that it pushed me to explore other cult milky toners. Below, you’ll find some of the best formulas you’re bound to love.
1) Chanel Éclat Premier Bright Milky Essence
A relaxing scent and a luxurious, silky texture that melts into the skin turn this step into a true at-home treatment. The formula is enriched with ingredients that even out tone and boost radiance, while leaving the skin incredibly soft and supple. I’ve found it also works beautifully as an essence before makeup.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, ylang-ylang flower extract, camellia oil, jojoba oil
Ideal for: uneven skin tone on all skin types
Size: 100 ml
The lightweight milky texture makes this toner a perfect addition to any oily or combination skincare routine. It boosts radiance and evens out the complexion while helping to repair the skin’s lipid barrier. What’s especially interesting about this formula is its ability to regulate sebum and reduce excess oil production.
Key ingredients: niacinamide, ceramides, rice extract
Ideal for: combination and oily skin
Size: 250 ml
When your skin needs calming and strong anti-inflammatory support, the Tirtir Milk Skin Toner with its patented botanical complex delivers exactly that. It preps the skin beautifully for serums and moisturizers, and its seven carefully selected plant extracts offer visible soothing benefits. Pro tip: apply it in several layers for an even better effect.
Key ingredients: MultiEx BSASM™ complex with botanical extracts for soothing the skin
Ideal for: dry and sensitive skin
Size: 150 ml
This bi-phase toner pairs a hydrating layer enriched with rice extract and a layer of kaolin clay for sebum control. It soothes sensitive skin, smooths texture, and helps balance oil production. It’s loved for delivering deep hydration, antioxidant support, and a light, refreshing feel that works well for all skin types and all seasons.
Key ingredients: rice extract, panthenol, amino acids
Ideal for: combination and oily skin
Size: 150 ml
This milky mist could easily be described as a cream in a spray bottle. Boum-Boum Milk is a revolutionary 3-in-1 spray that instantly hydrates, smooths, and softens the skin, giving it a radiant, healthy look. Over time, it helps reduce inflammation, improve firmness, and soften the appearance of fine lines. It quickly became a favorite for restoring the skin to its healthiest, most luminous state.
Key ingredients: fermented extracts, olive leaf extract, squalane, glacier water, green tea
Ideal for: all skin types
Size: 100 ml
