When rhode finally launched in Australia this year, it's safe to say we were excited.

Hailey Bieber's brand landed via the rhode Australia website and both online and in-store at Mecca. Unsurprisingly, several of the products sold out in literal seconds.

*In case you missed it, I'd recommend checking out our beauty editor Amy Clark's detailed rhode review here.

Watch: A skin expert weighs in on whether skincare or treatments will get you better results… post continues below.

One of the most talked-about products from the launch is the rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence.

A bottle of this milky toner will set you back $55 for 124ml and promises that "glazed doughnut" skin Queen Hailey is known for. 

The pros: The essence-serum-lotion hybrid hydrates and moisturises with glycerin and ceramides, feels substantial (not too runny), dries down nicely and won't pill under foundation.

The cons: Is rhode glazing milk acne safe? Not so much, because of those lipid (oil) ceramide ingredients. $55 is also on the more expensive side compared to other similar products.

The iconic packaging. Image: Supplied.

The glazing milk texture. Image: Supplied.

4 milk toners under $40 that rival the rhode Glazing Milk.

But the thing is, as a beauty writer who has tested thousands of products, I can confidently say that milky essences, toners and serum hybrids like this aren't exactly new.

In fact, beauty brands (specifically K-beauty) have been doing them for years, and because I've been mildly obsessed with this category for a long time, you bet I've tested my fair share.

Among the many I've tried, there are a handful I genuinely love. They're products I've repurchased multiple times, recommended to friends and family, and truly think give the rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence a run for its money.

And the best part is, they're all significantly more affordable.

My picks…

Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner 250ml, $38.

This massive 250ml bottle will last you a long time. Image: Supplied.

If you're looking for the closest affordable alternative to rhode's Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence, the Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner is an excellent place to start.

This milky toner is formulated with 70 per cent rice extract, a popular K-beauty ingredient known for its ability to brighten dull skin, improve hydration and support the skin barrier.

Much like rhode's Glazing Milk, it sits somewhere between a toner and a serum. The texture is lightweight and milky, absorbing quickly into the skin while leaving behind that hydrated, glazed look.

Here's the consistency of the milky toner. Image: Supplied.

The biggest similarity between the two products is the finish. Both leave skin looking noticeably plumper, smoother and glowier without feeling heavy or sticky.

One difference is that rhode focuses heavily on peptides for barrier support, while the Anua formula leans more into rice extract and hydrating ingredients to brighten and nourish the skin.

As the name suggests, the Anua formula behaves more like a traditional toner, so the consistency is slightly thinner compared to rhode's slightly more viscous essence.

In terms of price, rhode's essence works out to $0.44 per ml, while the Anua toner sits at $0.13 per ml (full price). That's a pretty sweet deal if you ask me. 

Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Mist 100ml, $32.

Keep this mist in your pocket for an on-the-go hydration top-up. Image: Supplied.

If you prefer something lighter than a milky toner (and more convenient for on-the-go hydration), the Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Mist is another great alternative to rhode's Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence.

This product sits somewhere between a toner, essence and moisturiser. It's a cream-in-mist formula, which means it combines a lightweight hydrating essence with nourishing cream ingredients to support the skin barrier in one step.

Like rhode's Glazing Milk, it's designed to deliver that hydrated, glossy finish. But instead of applying it with your hands like a toner or essence, you simply shake the bottle and mist it over your face, making it ideal for quick hydration or refreshing your skin throughout the day.

Here's what it looks like when sprayed. Image: Supplied.

The formula focuses heavily on barrier-supporting and soothing ingredients, which makes it particularly great for sensitive or reactive skin. It contains calming ingredients like panthenol, centella and madecassoside, and the formula has undergone skin irritation testing, so it's perfect for even compromised skin barriers and hypersensitive skin types (@ me). 

Texture-wise, the Dr. Althea is noticeably lighter than rhode's milky essence. The ultra-fine mist absorbs quickly and leaves skin looking plump and dewy without feeling sticky or heavy.

In terms of price, the Dr. Althea mist costs around $0.32 per ml for the larger 100ml bottle (or about $0.37 per ml for the s maller 60ml size), making it a more affordable option.

Now, for beauty editor Amy Clark's picks…

BUBBLE Hydrating Milky Toner 100ml, $28.

This one's a bit smaller than the rhode milky toner. Image: Supplied.

But the texture is veeeery similar. Image: Supplied.

Amy says: "If you like the thicker consistency of the rhode glazing milk, you'll find this one is comparable."

"Same silky, glossy texture. Same hydration with hyaluronic acid. Similar dewy, 'glazed' skin finish thanks to ceramides. But this formula contains a few different ingredients: oleic and linoleic acid (fatty acids to support the skin barrier) and soothing arnica and allantoin."

My one gripe is the twist-closure packaging. Super cute in theory, but in reality, it can spit up at you if too much product is left in the lid. Upon further investigation, the BUBBLE website instructs to wait 15 seconds before closing."

The Breakout Hack Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner 100ml, $29.99.

Love the packaging! Image: Supplied.

The texture (get your mind out of the gutter!). Image: Supplied.

Amy says: "This one's for my friends with normal to combination, oily, blemish-prone and super sensitive skin. Compared to the thicker milk glaze texture of rhode's product, the breakout hack's milk is a lightweight gel fluid with a cooling skin feel."

"Aligned with the brand's ethos of catering to acneic or reactive skins, the tbh milk toner is formulated with redness-reducing Cica Madecassoside and Bisabolol, plus ceramides and Panthenol."

"Dry skins might not find this nourishing enough, but it's a gorgeous alternative if you're worried about rhode glazing milk breaking you out."

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Feature image: Supplied.