Is $14.99 Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner Really a Dupe for Rhode Glazing Milk?

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In this review, I am spilling the tea on an underrated, budget-friendly gem that’s basically the star of hydration. Some even call it the dupe for the famous Rhode Glazing Milk. Yep, you guessed it, Byoma’s Hydrating Milky Toner.

You know how most hydrating toners either cost a fortune, or if they don’t, they just feel like you are splashing fancy water on your face? Yeah, same. But Byoma Hydrating Milky Toner is the real deal. I picked it up when I was keeping my basic skincare routine to repair my damaged skin barrier, because if there’s one thing Byoma does best, it’s barrier support. Their whole philosophy revolves around their star ingredient, the Tri-Ceramide Complex, paired with their signature Barrier Support Technology and the best part is that there is no suffocating your wallet.

What makes this Byomas hydrating toner stand out? It’s all in the formula. Byoma didn’t just throw in a few hydrating ingredients and call it a day, they packed it with their carefully researched Barrier Lipid Complex. Think of it as an upgrade to their already iconic Tri-Ceramide Complex. This oil-based formula mimics the skin’s natural lipids, delivering barrier-loving actives exactly where your skin needs them.

First Impression

When I got the toner, the first thing I noticed was its packaging. Byoma products always come in these cute, vibrant colors, and this one is a lightish orange that really stands out in your skincare stash. My only issue with the packaging is the bulky plastic bottle. First it takes up way too much space. Second, it kinda clashes with the whole clean beauty vibe. Now, Byoma does say on their website that you can unscrew the cap, rinse it out, and recycle it in your household waste, but honestly, wouldn’t it be better if they handled that part during manufacturing? I feel like, sure, Byoma might say it’s recyclable, but that still puts the responsibility on the consumer rather than addressing the issue themselves.

Application & Consistency

The texture of milky toner is lightweight and, well as the label suggests, milky like, almost fluid enough to just melt into the skin. If your skin is dry and flaky, oh boy, it’s going to gulp this down like it just crawled out of a desert. That’s exactly what happened to me. I applied three layers, and my skin practically sighed in relief. I applied it right after cleansing, while my skin was still damp, and instant hydration is all I got from it. The best part was when I woke up with plump skin like I’d been secretly drinking eight glasses of water a day (I have not).

It doesn’t interfere with other products at all. In fact, it sets the perfect base for the rest of your routine. If you wear makeup, it won’t make your foundation look patchy or thin out over time. You know how some toners give you that overly dewy finish that messes with makeup. This one doesn’t. It hydrates without leaving behind any weird film.

Byoma’s Hydrating Milky Toner is easily one of the best out there. It delivers an instant hydration boost and has genuinely made a difference in my routine. When my skin barrier was damaged, this toner was a savior. I had tried other so-called ‘barrier repair’ toners before, but they left me with that awful post-application burning sensation. But there is no irritation with this one, just a soothing dose of ceramides.

Comparison with Rhodes glazing milk

The Hydrating Milky Toner comes in a generous 150ml bottle for $14.99 (at the time of writing), which is basically daylight robbery (in a good way) compared to Rhode’s Glazing Milk at $32 for 140ml. Both have pretty similar ingredient lists, packed with ceramides to support the skin barrier. But where they part ways is in their extra goodies. Byoma throws in cica (centella asiatica) in their milky toner, a superstar for calming irritated and inflamed skin, while Rhode brings zinc and magnesium to the party, which are great for overall skin health. Rhode is all about that instant glazed donut glow, while Byoma is more of a budget-friendly, barrier-loving option with a side of soothing centella asiatica.

Final thought

It has helped my dry skin so much that I no longer panic over the flaky patches retinol gives me every now and then. If I do get them, I just apply three layers of this, and after a few uses, it’s like my skin was never dry. Byoma’s Hydrating Toner has been making waves on the internet for claims that almost sound too good to be true, but trust me, they are true. I’ve used it myself, and I can vouch for it. In the long haul, I am totally all in with this toner. It’s so affordable that I can see it being a staple in my daily routine and the results are seriously almost on par with those pricey alternatives. My skin gets the hydration it needs and my wallet gets a break as well so its a win-win.

Glowing reviews

According to Hannah G. on Byoma’s official website

This toner has been a game-changer for her. She used to think toners were unnecessary, but this one completely changed her perspective. After struggling with acne treatments that damaged her skin barrier and caused irritation, this toner made a dramatic difference. It significantly reduced the discomfort and irritation from her skin’s broken barrier. Now, she uses it consistently every morning and night, and it helps calm the inflammation caused by reintroducing actives into her routine.

According to Jessica L. on Byoma’s official website:

Jessica L. is currently going through the retinization process with tretinoin cream. She also alternates exfoliation nights using glycolic acid and applies a Vitamin C serum with ferulic acid during the day. While she owns other toners, none of them worked well with her day or night skincare routine, regardless of her skin cycling phase. After researching and comparing various ingredients, she found that this toner blends well with her regimen and feels great on the skin.

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