1025 Dokdo Toner
Key ingredient: Deep Sea Water
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For sensitive, redness-prone, easily-irritated skin that reacts to everything, the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner delivers mineral-rich deep sea water from the Korean East Sea in a sixteen-ingredient minimalist formula — the bare-essentials hydration toner that consistently wins K-beauty "first step" recommendations from Korean dermatologists.
The ingredient story
Hero ingredient
Deep Sea Water from Dokdo Island (East Sea)
Concentration
Sea water drawn from approximately 5,000 feet below the East Sea (off Ulleungdo and Dokdo islands), filtered to retain 72 nature-derived minerals including magnesium, calcium, zinc, and potassium. Combined with Chondrus Crispus (red algae) extract and Sugarcane Extract as natural humectants, plus Panthenol and Allantoin for calming.
Deep-dive
Read the full guide →How it works
Deep sea water at 5,000+ feet is colder, more mineral-saturated, and less polluted than surface water. The mineral profile is closest to the natural skin fluid composition (isotonic), so it absorbs without disrupting the skin barrier. Magnesium calms inflammation, zinc has mild antibacterial effect, calcium supports keratinocyte function. The minimalist 16-ingredient formula — short for any hydration toner — removes anything that could trigger sensitive skin: no fragrance, no essential oils, no alcohol, no harsh preservatives.
What the evidence shows
Mineral-rich sea water as a cosmetic active has multiple Korean cosmetic chemistry studies behind it (Kim et al., 2018 — magnesium and barrier function). The 1025 Toner specifically is the most-recommended "first toner for sensitive skin" by Korean dermatologists across multiple K-beauty platforms (2023 Glowpick survey). Round Lab's Dokdo line consistently wins Olive Young Awards in the sensitive-skin category.
No documented contraindications. Universally tolerated, even on highly reactive skin. Pregnancy-safe. Suitable for post-procedure and post-laser routines from day one (no exfoliating acids, no actives).
The brand
Philosophy
“Inspired by Nature, Perfected by Science. Minimalist formulas with mineral-rich naturally-derived ingredients from specific Korean geographic locations.”
Round Lab launched in 2017 with an unusual product positioning: name your skincare line after disputed Korean territory. The 1025 Dokdo line's name refers to October 25, 1900, when Korean Emperor Gojong issued the Dokdo Sovereignty Decree — and the line is formulated with deep sea water sourced from off Dokdo and Ulleungdo islands. For Korean consumers, buying a 1025 product is a small act of cultural identity; for Western consumers, the line passes that backstory off as just "deep sea water hydration toner." Both work. Round Lab has since become one of the most-recommended K-beauty brands in 2023–25 — K-pop idols use it, Korean dermatologists prescribe it, and Western dermatology content creators promote it as the "if you only buy one Korean toner, buy this" entry point. The brand's broader philosophy — minimalist formulas, single hero ingredient, no fragrance — is the same DNA as Anua, Torriden, and PURITO Dermide.
Where this fits in your routine
Routine step
Toner — first step after cleansing, before any essence or serum
Morning: cleanse → 1025 Dokdo toner (1–2 layers) → serum (HA, vitamin C, or niacinamide) → moisturiser → SPF Evening: double cleanse → 1025 Dokdo toner (2–3 layers, 7-skin if dehydrated) → snail or peptide essence → moisturiser
Layers especially well with: every K-beauty serum and essence — this toner is the universal first layer. Especially good before HA serums (the mineral water primes the skin) and before centella/heartleaf actives (the mineral hydration supports the calming actives).
Pregnancy-safe. Atopic-safe. Post-procedure safe.
Common use as: the toner Korean dermatologists hand to patients recovering from laser treatments, microneedling, or any procedure where the surface is in early healing — gentle enough to use within hours of the procedure.
Pairs especially well with
Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular HA Serum — mineral water primes the skin, then 5-MW HA saturates every layer — the canonical Korean minimalist hydration stack
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence — toner first, snail essence after — gentle mineral hydration followed by glycoprotein repair film
AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream — mineral toner + cera-cream = the value Korean barrier-recovery routine that Korean dermatologists actually recommend
Full ingredients
Free from
Full INCI ingredient list (manufacturer)
Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Sea Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Protease, Betaine, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Xanthan Gum
What real users say
“I have rosacea and reacted to literally every "soothing" toner I tried — until this one. Three weeks in and my baseline redness is the lowest it has been in years.”
— Reddit r/SkincareAddiction, 2024
“This is the toner my Korean dermatologist gave me after laser. I am still using it a year later — there is no reason to switch when nothing irritates and the skin stays plump.”
— r/AsianBeauty top-voted 2024
“I bought this not knowing the 1025 backstory and now I cannot stop thinking about it. Korean skincare branding at its most poetic.”
— TikTok review, 800k views
Texture / feel
Watery-essence texture — slightly more substantial than pure water, less viscous than a serum. Absorbs in 15–30 seconds with zero residue. Faint clean mineral-sea scent (very subtle — most users do not notice it). The "essence-toner" hybrid format is increasingly common in Korean toners and 1025 is the reference example.
Buying authentic
Verified UK retailers
Counterfeit warning
Round Lab counterfeits have appeared on Amazon UK marketplace third-party sellers and on unverified eBay listings since the 2023 K-pop endorsement spike. Genuine bottles have a clean white-and-blue label with printed (not stickered) lot codes and a Dokdo geographic reference on the back. Buy from listed authorised retailers only.
This page was last reviewed on 2026-05-21. We update product storytelling when formulation, retailer availability, or evidence changes meaningfully.
About this product
A hydrating essence-toner made with deep sea water from Dokdo Island, rich in minerals to balance, soothe, and deeply moisturise all skin types.
Best for these skin types
Concerns addressed
Ceramides, centella asiatica, and panthenol are the gold standard for rebuilding a compromised barrier.
