As a Beauty Editor who is seldom swayed, here are my genuine impressions of this TikTok-viral toner after using it for a week.

      My primary job involves researching, testing, and writing about beauty products (and believe me, I enjoy every moment!), but after a full day of engaging with beauty content, I typically find myself wanting to shift gears to other interests and hobbies as soon as my workday ends. I take pride in having a fairly unpredictable TikTok feed. My For You Page (FYP) is filled with chaotic videos, podcast snippets, and fashion forecasts, but beauty videos seldom prompt me to take action. That changed about three weeks ago when a video of a woman boasting porcelain-smooth, radiant skin appeared on my feed, attributing her glowing complexion to a specific hydrating toner. This incident catapulted the PCA Skin Hydrating Toner into the conversation among TikTok users and my chats with both beauty editors and friends outside the industry. Priced at $48, this toner often has a waiting list due to its surge in popularity. (It’s truly gone out of stock twice since I began this story.) The comments section was filled with reactions like my own: skeptical remarks (“There must be a filter,” one commenter said) and simultaneous admiration (“Immediately Googles PCA Hydrating Toner,” chimed in another). With a mix of skepticism and curiosity, I bought a bottle to put this glow-promising formula to the test for an entire week. Keep reading to find out if this pricey product lived up to the hype or ended up as just another impulse buy from TikTok.

      Also available at: Amazon ($48), PCA Skin ($48)

      Size: 7 oz.

      Skin type: Dry, combination, normal, sensitive

      Key ingredients: Evening primrose oil, Jania Rubens extract, watermelon, apple, and lentil extracts

      Benefits: Cleanses, hydrates, and softens skin; provides protection against skin damage

      Use: Daily, morning and evening

      Customer review: “Such a good hydrating toner! I have dry, acne-prone, and sensitive skin, and this has always worked well for me. I use it daily, and it’s a fantastic way to ensure my skin stays clean without being stripped!”

      Why Is the PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Gaining Popularity?

      This replenishing formula from PCA Skin went viral in late July 2025 after TikTok creator Meg (@girlwiththeslickback) shared a video post-dermatologist appointment, which has since garnered 7.4 million views. The doctor initially assumed she had just undergone a facial due to her radiant, clear skin. She briefly mentioned the PCA Skin Hydrating Toner as her secret weapon before praising toner as the “underappreciated step” that transformed her skincare routine. Viewers became captivated by her glowy, glass-like complexion, leading to thousands of comments debating whether her skin's radiance was genuinely due to the toner or if she was just naturally blessed. The engagement only fueled my intrigue.

      What Is a Hydrating Toner?

      In essence, hydrating toners serve to moisturize, deeply cleanse, and play a role in anti-aging. “Regular toners are primarily used to remove makeup, excess oil, and help rebalance the skin after cleansing,” explains board-certified dermatologist Connie Yang, MD, to Who What Wear. “The goal of a hydrating toner is to infuse moisture into the skin rather than strip it away.” Toners previously received criticism for being overly drying and irritating, a problem Yang attributes to the use of alcohol, an astringent, in older formulations. She clarifies that hydrating toners work in the opposite manner, “delivering humectants to pull in moisture and plump the skin,” which enhances absorption of serums and creams. Fellow board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, adds that hydrating toners replace harsh components with humectants and emollients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and natural oils, “helping to hydrate and restore moisture to the skin,” Kobets further explains. They are also packed with antioxidants, which means these formulas provide much more than mere debris removal. “Antioxidants protect skin from damage caused by free radicals—unstable molecules that arise from pollution, UV exposure, and even normal bodily processes,” Kobets elaborates. “These molecules can speed up skin aging, so including antioxidants in your toner offers extra protection.”

      About the PCA Skin Hydrating Toner

      Now that we understand what differentiates a hydrating toner, what makes this particular formula stand out? The PCA Skin Toner spotlights several key ingredients: Jania Rubens extract, evening primrose oil, and various fruit extracts (specifically watermelon, apple, and lentil). Jania Rubens is a mineral-rich seaweed that assists in hydration, antioxidant protection, calming, and brightening effects. In short, it makes the skin appear and feel incredibly dewy, according to Yang. Evening primrose oil “