18 of the Best Face Toners for Maure, Aging Skin

Our Favourites

Best Overall :

Carrot & Stick The Toner

Best Routine with Toner:

Carrot & Stick Complete Collectiom

When you think about the best face toner, what comes to mind? Many of us recall our acne-ridden teenage days when we’d swipe a toner-soaked cotton ball over the face with the hope of getting rid of pimples and large pores. Not only was it possible that your skin became worse, but the toner probably stung and left your face feeling tight and dry.

Well, good news. Toners have come a long way and they’re actually a completely different and — necessary — part of any skincare routine. Good toners help remove any leftover traces of dirt, oil, makeup, and sunscreen.

Today, the best toner for oily skin removes excess oil without stripping the skin. If breakouts are a concern, the best toner for acne is formulated with salicylic acid to target pimples and unclog pores. Even those with a parched complexion can find the best toner for dry skin that contains nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.

Not sure where to find these skin-changing elixirs? Look no further. Here at the Derm Review, we’ve reviewed hundreds of products with a scientific lens to ensure you’re creating a skincare routine that’s safe and effective.

Ahead, 18 toners to hydrate, purify, and prep your complexion.

Best Face Toner: The List

BEST OVERALL

BEST: Carrot & Stick The Toner

For optimal results, we recommend Carrot & Stick’s Complete Collection skincare routine, which includes The Toner.

FULL LIST

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

La Mer The Tonic

Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion

HADA LABO Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Toner

Lancôme Tonique Confort Rehydrating Comforting Toner

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Perricone MD Intensive Pore Minimizer

The Science Behind Face Toners

Unlike other skincare products like peels and serums, there’s nothing overly scientific regarding face toners. Quite simply, a toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that helps to recalibrate the skin’s pH so that it’s calm and balanced after cleansing. Research tells us that variable skin pH values are all in the acidic range but with a broad spectrum from pH 4.0 to 7.0. However, on average, natural skin surface pH is below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora.

Toners can also provide the skin with a quick hit of hydration, remove dead skin cells, balance oil production, help clear breakouts, and soothe sensitized skin.

Ingredients to Avoid in a Toner

Even though toners have evolved for the better over the years, some formulations on the market still contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oils, which will only cause increased oil production because that’s the skin’s method of defense. This reaction can lead to breakouts and irritation. When shopping for the best toner, avoid:

Alcohol-based toners: Often, these also contain ingredients that tighten the skin. These toners can damage and irritate your skin. Using them makes it more difficult for your skin to heal itself and produce healthy collagen.
Strongly scented toners: These formulas are often labeled “refreshing” or “purifying,” but in reality, they are acting more as cologne for your face. Strongly-scented toners like these may cause reactions that are damaging to your skin.

Best Toner for Aging Skin

BEST OVERALL

BEST: Carrot & Stick The Toner

Replenishes skin with potent antioxidants, hydrating hyaluronic acid and myriad plant extracts. By harnessing the antioxidant properties of CoQ10, it supports the production of collagen and elastin, promoting the look of smoother skin.

For optimal results, we recommend Carrot & Stick’s Complete Collection skincare routine, which includes The Toner.

FULL LIST

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
SK-II’s signature- and best-selling- product contains over 90 percent pitera, a by-product of yeast fermentation that includes minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. The essence is meant to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots while improving skin texture. Sprinkle a small amount in your hand and press the essence gently on your face and neck.

La Mer The Tonic
This soothing toner contains marine extracts and helps to balance the complexion after cleansing. La Mer The Tonic includes the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, a blend of hand-harvested sea kelp which nourishes and hydrates skin. Skin is left feeling soothed and calm.

Erno Laszlo Light Controlling Lotion
Just because you’re oily doesn’t mean you can’t experience dryness, too. Erno’s tonifying lotion gently exfoliates and reduces surface oil, while anti-inflammatory botanicals like tree moss extract calm a sensitized and irritated complexion and promote tissue repair.

HADA LABO Gokujyun Super Hyaluronic Toner
Hada Labo is one of Japan’s most popular drugstore brands, and the Goku-Jyun toner has achieved cult status for anyone with dry skin (just check out the Reddit reviews). The liquid should be dispensed into the hand before patting it onto the face. It contains three different types of hyaluronic acid to help attract and hold water, leaving skin looking plump and hydrated.

Lancôme Tonique Confort Rehydrating Comforting Toner
Honey and sweet almond extract are two critical ingredients in Lancome’s Tonique Confort Rehydrating toner. Skin is left feeling soft, clean, and full of moisture. Apply to a cotton pad and gently swipe across the face. The toner does not contain any alcohol, making it a good choice for those with dry, sensitive skin, too.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner
This hydrating toner from Fresh is infused with real rose petals to soothe and nourish the skin. The Rose Deep Hydration Toner gently wipes away any traces of dirt from the face while leaving it balanced and refreshed. Thanks to Angelica leaf extract and hyaluronic acid, it’s also profoundly hydrating.

Best Toner: The Bottom Line

What’s the best toner?

Overall, we suggest Carrot & Stick The Toner. For optimal results, we recommend Carrot & Stick’s Complete Collection skincare routine, which includes The Toner.

Toners have come a long way, and they’re a completely different and — necessary — part of any skincare routine. Quite simply, a toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that helps to recalibrate the skin’s pH so that it’s calm and balanced after cleansing. Toners can also provide the skin with a quick hit of hydration, remove dead skin cells, balance oil production, help clear breakouts, and soothe sensitized skin.

Even though toners have evolved for the better over the years, some formulations on the market contain ingredients that can strip the skin of its natural oils, which will only cause increased oil production because that’s the skin’s method of defense. This reaction can lead to breakouts and irritation. When shopping for the best toner, avoid alcohol-based toners and strongly scented toners and look for formulas designed with your skin type in mind.

What’s the best face toner, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below!

FAQs

What’s the difference between a toner and an astringent?

You can think of astringent as a more potent form of toner. Astringents are more likely to contain a higher alcohol concentration (like SD alcohol or denatured alcohol) than toners, which is not an ingredient we recommend. With that said, toners are a more desirable, skin-friendly choice.

Is it good to use toner every day?

Providing your skin can tolerate the formulation, toners can be used twice daily after cleansing. However, if your skin gets dry or irritated quickly, try once a day or every other day.

Do you wash off toner?

Toner is meant to absorb quickly and be left on— much like an astringent (which we don’t recommend) or micellar water.

Do you apply toner to wet or dry skin?

It’s best to apply toner to a dry face, especially if using a pH-balancing toner. After cleansing, to use toner properly, pat your face dry or dry it with a light towel. There’s no need to dry your face after toning; simply move on to your next step — which ideally should be a serum.

Can you use moisturizer after toner?

Not only can you, but it’s also vital to apply moisturizer after toner — but again, after a serum. It helps your skin absorb and retain moisture better than before.

Can toner cause acne?

The alcohol found in toners can trigger rosacea or exacerbate sensitive skin. It can also trigger an overproduction of oil, which increases the risk of breakouts in acne-prone skin. For this reason, we suggest using alcohol-free toners that are formulated with the addition of skin-soothing, balancing ingredients — even if you’re targeting acne. Otherwise, you run the risk of developing skin that’s irritated, inflamed, and more vulnerable to environmental damage.

How long should you wait between toner and moisturizer?

The real question should be, how long should you wait between all your skincare steps? And the answer is approximately one minute to give ample time for each formula to penetrate the skin.

Can I use rose water as a toner?

Pure rose water is gentle and helps maintain the skin’s pH balance. It’s more desirable than using chemical-based toners, which tend to dry out the skin. Rosewater has soothing properties, so it can be used as an all-natural skin toner.

References:
”Natural Skin Surface pH is on Average Below 5,” National Library of Medicine National Society for Biotechnology Information.
“Skin Toner Market Size Worth $900.6 Million By 2025 | CAGR: 4.7%,” Grand View Research, August 2019.
“Anti-Inflammatory Efficacy of Topical Preparations with 10% Hamamelis Distillate in a UV Erythema Test,” National Library of Medicine National Society for Biotechnology Information.