Toners remain a bit of an elusive skin-care category, for a couple of good reasons. First, they’re sometimes lumped in with other products,, such as essences and serums, which is naturally confusing. To remember the difference, know that toner is always the thinnest product out of all three. Essences are a more diluted version of serums, and serums are highly concentrated products with a silky slip. (Toners always go on before those products, right after cleansing.)
Another reason toners cause some confusion is that they’ve really evolved since first hitting the market. Once explicitly an astringent product meant to remove soap residue (from less sophisticated cleansers) and excess oil, toners now come in many varieties, to moisturize, brighten, balance, and tone.
“Today, toner is really a liquid application, to help with skin health and grooming, and has morphed into many different uses,” says Dr. Janet Allenby, a board-certified dermatologist based in Delray Beach, Florida. “The function of today’s toners is really dependent on what ingredients are being added to the toner liquid.”
In that sense, it’s really about choosing a toner that’s going to work overtime, specifically for your needs. To help you find your one true match, we’ve rounded up the best toners according to skin type.
Dry skin
If you have a dry skin type, prioritize toners that increase hydration. “Moisturizing toners with aloe, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, [emulsified oils], and antioxidants such as vitamin C are best,” advises Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a board-certified dermatologist in Danville, California.
Additional ingredients to look for include ceramides and panthenol, which are two hero ingredients in Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid ($39). This fragrance-free toner deeply hydrates skin and helps soothe and seal a dry, cracked complexion. Missha Meditanical Rose Toner ($35) is another intensely hydrating toner for dry skin. It features emulsified olive oil and damask rose, to balance, soften, and moisturize.
Oily/combination skin
Although you may be tempted to use a high-alcohol toner to blast away oily skin, this might actually backfire, notes Dr. Bansal. Instead, she recommends seeking a milder astringent or degreasing ingredient, such as witch hazel, charcoal, and/or salicylic acid (BHA). In addition to balancing your complexion, the overall reduction of oil can help pores appear smaller, which is often a chief complaint from those with oily skin.
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner ($9.99) is a cult-favorite toner for oily or combination skin types. It uses witch hazel to nix excess oil and balance skin, while rose petals and aloe vera soothe and nourish. For something with a bit more kick, you could try Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner with Moringa + Papaya ($28). Salicylic acid gently exfoliates and targets oil for a more balanced, clearer complexion.
Acne-prone skin
To keep pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads at bay, Dr. Bansal recommends using exfoliating toners. She adds, “Formulations with beta and alpha hydroxy acids [BHAs and AHAs], such as salicylic and glycolic acid, are best to exfoliate acne-prone skin types.”
Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Pore Therapy ($40.50) is a toner formulated specifically with acne-prone skin types in mind. It contains 2% salicylic acid, to unclog and refine pores while controlling oil production.
Another option is HydroPeptide Clarifying Toner ($48), which comes in pad form. Azelaic and lactic acids promote exfoliation, while willow herb and antibacterial peptides keep breakouts under control. The pad form allows for more targeted application, and the pad itself doubles as a light exfoliator.
Sensitive skin
“For those with sensitive skin, a toner that has reduced alcohol content and is more focused on neutralizing the skin’s pH is best,” advises Dr. Allenby. It’s also helpful to select toners formulated with ingredients that specifically help calm and soothe, such as aloe vera, centella asiatica (cica), and calendula.
We recommend Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner ($40), an ultra-gentle, soothing formulation that features actual calendula leaves in the bottle. Paula’s Choice Enriched Calming Toner ($21) has a milky texture and hydrates dry skin while defending against environmental stressors and soothing a stressed complexion.
Mature skin
“Mature skin, overall, tends to be drier because as we age, our skin cells do a poorer job of retaining hydration. This is called trans-epidermal water loss [TEWL],” Dr. Allenby explains. (Everyone has TEWL, as it’s a healthy function of the skin, but in excess, it leads to dryness.) “This is where those hydrating, humectant-strong qualities of a toner are more advantageous so that water is sealed in better.”
Mature skin types also tend to have slower cell turnover, so their complexion can appear duller. An exfoliating toner with enzymes, retinoids, or AHAs could come in handy here.
One of our favorite toners for mature skin is HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Toner ($44). It contains wrinkle-relaxing neuropeptides, free radical–fighting antioxidants, brightening vitamin C, and lactic acid, to gently exfoliate. For mature skin types who want to prioritize exfoliation, we recommend REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner ($38), to exfoliate, brighten, and boost glow. For extra credit, try alternating one type in the morning, with another in the evening.
Normal skin
When talking about skin, normal refers to a complexion that’s already well-balanced and doesn’t tend to lean oily or dry. If that sounds like your skin type, you can default to a toner that’s ultra-lightweight and hydrating. Obagi Nu-Derm Toner ($43) is a witch hazel–based toner formulated with aloe vera and natural botanicals that helps maintain your skin’s pH balance. Another of the best toners for normal skin is COSRX Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner ($22), which is 72.6% black bee propolis extract and 10% honey extract, a combination that boosts moisture and glow.
