Our beauty team has called it: these are the best toners to suit a variety of skin types and concerns
Whether your priority is to tackle dryness, dark spots or blemishes, these are the best toners that have our experts' seals of approval
While toner is often seen as one of the less necessary steps of the average skincare routine, the best toners can be heavy hitters. Not all are created equal, but the right formula can do anything from helping to boost skin's radiance to improving its hydration levels.
If you've ever asked "what exactly is toner?" Marc Elrick, founder of skincare brand BYOMA has summed it up succinctly. “Toners should be applied as the second step in your routine [after cleansing] to help replenish and restore the microbiome," he explains. "They [can] help with exfoliation and rebalancing the skin’s pH, so incorporating them into your routine will help promote clearer, brighter skin by increasing cell turnover and shifting any dead skin cells."
Despite not being quite as crucial as the best cleansers or best facial sunscreens, toners are thought to enhance the efficacy of subsequently applied products – be they serums, oils or the best face moisturiser. So, if you want to refresh your skincare routine by adding in a toner, our team of beauty experts has created the following tried and tested guide to the very best toners for various skin concerns.
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The best toner for all skin types, reviewed by our beauty team
RRP: £18 for 250ml
Reviewed by: Stephanie Maylor
Pixi's Glow Tonic is a cult skincare staple that's built legions of adoring fans, thanks to its ability to turn on the skin’s glow in an instant. The alcohol-free, 5% glycolic acid formula effectively removes dead cells from the skin's surface to smooth the complexion and accelerate cell turnover. This exfoliating goodness is offset by soothing aloe vera to keep skin feeling comfortable.
All this is not only a treat for the skin but also makes makeup application a much smoother task (even the best lightweight foundation can cling to uneven or rough skin texture). After using Glow Tonic, my base seemed to sit better on my skin with a smoother and more natural-looking finish. From the very first use, my face looked a lot perkier; within a week I was waking up to noticeably brighter, healthier-looking skin. If your complexion looks a little fatigued and dull, this is a great toner to have in your arsenal. It also smells great.
RRP: £27 for 190ml
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
You may feel like no amount of skincare has helped to reduce visible signs of ageing, be that fine lines or deep-set sun damage. But I speak from firsthand experience when I say that this toner makes a difference. Part of OLEHENRIKSEN's PM range, designed to be used as a nighttime skincare routine, this toner follows cleansing in the evening and before the range's barrier booster essence to reveal a lit-from-within glow the next morning. For best results, use a cotton pad to sweep it across your face and remove any excess residue that your cleanser didn't quite tackle.
Absorbing quickly, this toner has a lemony fresh scent and leaves skin feel super clean. Although it can yield a slight tingling sensation when first applying, I wasn't worried as this is common with products that contain AHAs. It may still be suitable for sensitive skin, though I'd always recommend a patch test first before widespread use, just to be on the safe side. What's not to love?
RRP: £18 for 200ml
Reviewed by: Stephanie Maylor
If plant-powered natural skincare is your preference, treat your skin to this iconic tonic, which has been on the market since 1995. With a lovely, soft, botanical scent, it's fragranced with a blend of essential oils that belies the naturally active ingredients in the formula – but this toner also produces tangible, radiance-enhancing results.
This formula works to nix any tight and uncomfortable feeling after cleansing, which is a testament to its pH-balancing credentials, replacing stiffness with a soft and sated feeling. Even after double cleansing, it helped to remove a lot of extra muck from my face. The aloe vera offers instant refreshment, while the cucumber extract provides a calming, cooling effect. If your regime is already filled with high-powered actives through your serums and creams, this gentle and soothing tonic will be a sympathetic pairing for a spa-like experience.
RRP: £11.50 for 240ml
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
If you're looking for an all-rounder glycolic acid toner that can tackle skin woes quickly and effectively, this ridiculously affordable vegan toner from The Ordinary is one of the best. It's ideal for those who are blemish-prone, have stubborn scarring or rough texture that just won't budge – however, those with sensitive or overly dry, dehydrated skin might be best to steer clear.
Glycolic acid is a brilliant ingredient due to its ability to whisk away dead skin cells and encourage turnover. As someone with acne-prone skin, I find it is best to use this toner every other day to keep breakouts at bay without drying out my skin. While it's best to use this toner in the evening, it's even more crucial that you apply your best facial sunscreen in the mornings, too, as glycolic acid makes the skin more sensitive to the sun.
RRP: £13 for 100ml
Reviewed by: Stephanie Maylor
PHA skincare provides gentler exfoliation to the skin's surface and is ideal for congested, dull and rough complexions. PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) also have humectant properties, meaning they help your skin attract and maintain moisture. So if you're weighing up AHA vs BHA, which can both cause some irritation, PHAs could be worth a try instead. They help to enrich the complexion as they slough off dead skin and clear out pores.
I can certainly speak to its gentle approach, as I didn’t experience a hint of tingling or stinging and my skin felt comfortable afterwards – as opposed to desperate for serum and moisturiser. Of all the toners on this list, this one left my skin with the softest, silkiest feeling and a "post-facial" kind of glow. Some customer reviews note that it helped shoppers get rid of acne scars and, while I don’t have much in the way of scarring, my skin does feel less bumpy and rough after using this.
RRP: £35 for 118ml
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
I have long been obsessed with this product and would go as far as to say that it’s one of the beauty products that has changed my skin the most. This potent formula is one of the most effective spot-busting products I have ever tried and it gets to work what feels like immediately. While I don’t use it as a toner per se (I wouldn't use it every day, or after every cleanse), if you do have acne or hormonal spots and your main skincare goal is learning how to get rid of acne, this is the buy I'd recommend as it has a reputation for helping with blemishes. Just don't be tempted to over-use it as it is fairly potent.
But whether you decide to apply it as a toner all over your face or dab it onto problem areas, this is one of the best toner options for spot-prone skin. The high percentage of salicylic acid and green tea extract work in harmony to help clear skin, maintain hydration levels and balance irritation. I have recommended this product to so many people that I wish I worked on commission, but I won’t ever stop singing its praises.
RRP: £11.99 for 150ml
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
I'm a huge fan of BYOMA's skincare range, thanks to its reasonable pricing and that it's designed to care for the skin barrier. (The stylish packaging is pretty pleasing.) The brand's toner follows suit, promising a brighter complexion and improved skin texture and tone after just a couple of uses. As for the results, it really delivered when I used it consistently for a week, my skin looked brighter and clearer without any of the soreness from some of the other exfoliating toners.
Not only will the included AHAs – lactic and mandelic acid – gently exfoliate the skin to reveal a more radiant complexion, but this formula also deeply cleanses the pores, making it brilliant for blemish-prone skin. However, it's worth noting that seasoned exfoliating acid users may prefer something more potent. As someone who had a couple of spots while researching this list, though, I found this true multi-tasking beauty hero. The affordable price is a huge bonus, too.
RRP: £45 for 150ml
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
The skincare brainchild of industry legend Caroline Hirons, Skin Rocks formulas are well-researched, well-formulated and – as you'd expect – efficacious. One of two acid toners from the brand, The Control Acid is another BHA-focused formula that works brilliantly on congested skin and visible pores. As well as working to unclog pores, it also works to regulate oil production – all while soothing the skin and supporting its barrier.
It's ideal if you frequently experience blackheads or other breakouts. Its weighty packaging is also super luxurious (if admittedly less ideal when you're working with a weight limit for your luggage!), and I enjoy seeing the cheerful yellow colour scheme among my skincare line-up.
RRP: £29 for 100ml
Reviewed by: Annie Milroy
Imagine all the senses of a relaxing spa-day bottled into one undisputed champion of toners, and you've got ELEMIS' Superfood Kefir-Tea Mist. Quite literally my favourite ever beauty scent, in my eyes this toner is honestly totally unbeatable. Its refreshing four-in-one formula works to hydrate, tone, prime and set makeup for a healthy and radiant-looking complexion.
There's nothing worse than a completely soaked face after misting, but this spray dispenser evenly distributes the toner for a refreshing little pick-me-up for your skin. I am known to grab literally every bottle of this that lands in the office and will even reuse the empty container for other toners, because the pump is just so good. Quite simply, it's a staple "forever repurchase" for me.
How we tested the best toners
The toners we tested for this feature
In order that our guide was as comprehensive as possible and only covered the very best toners on the market, we drew on our years of beauty editor experience using dozens of the best toners on the market.
Each contender was tested on different skin types for at least a week to see how well that toner performed. We took the following factors into account throughout the testing process so we could properly assess the effectiveness of each and every one of them.
- Packaging: Needed to be functional and hassle-free, while a chic design is always a bonus.
- Formulation and active ingredients: Actives that help achieve the toner's USP – such as exfoliating acids or hydrating hyaluronic acid – were good to see and we took notice of whether or not they was evident in the results.
- Consistency and feel of the formula: Was it at all greasy, or lightweight and softening, for example?
- Initial application: We observed how it felt on the skin immediately after application.
- Longer-term results: Was there any noticeable difference in our skin after consistent use?
- Price: Value for money needed to be reflected in the price versus user experience and results
How to choose the best toner for your skin type
Most experts will agree that a healthy complexion doesn't rely solely on using a best toner for face, however, they do offer some additional benefits – especially when you use a formula that is optimised for your skin type and concerns.
- Enlarged pores: Unfortunately, not even the most alcohol-laden toner has the ability to physically tighten and constrict your pores. However, an astringent acid toner with BHA works effectively to remove the gunk from them and purging whatever residue or oil might emphasise their appearance. Plus, they're gentler than some other acid products on the market.
- Sensitive skin: Working to keep moisture locked in and irritants out, the skin barrier is its frontline defence. Those with a weakened skin barrier may experience redness, irritation, and sensitised skin, so it's no surprise that strengthening this outer layer is the key to healthy skin. This can be supported by the right toner, according to Dr. Marie Drago, who recommends choosing “a slightly acidic toner to help rebuild the skin barrier”.
- Unbalanced skin: Your skin’s pH level sits around 5.5, while water is 7, which means that splashing your face after cleansing can throw it off and cause issues such as redness, excess oil or flaky skin. Therefore, a gentle, acid-based toner can work to rebalance the skin.
- Dehydrated skin: Hydrating toners can help your skin to absorb any serums and creams that you apply afterwards. When water affects the skin's pH, your moisturiser has to work harder to restore equilibrium before it can begin treating dehydration. A supercharged toner can address the pH issue and give skin an easily-absorbed moisture boost.
Toners may also be referred to as essences, tonics or waters, so it's worth keeping an eye out for any products labelled as these. Once you've found the best toner that works for you, be sure to apply it on a daily basis, after cleansing and before any other skincare products, by splashing a few drops onto a cotton pad or misting it directly onto your skin.
Our expert panel
Stephanie is a very experienced beauty editor who works across Future's women's titles, including woman&home. Having tested almost endless toners over the years, she was the main reviewer for this guide, sharing her detailed reviews of the hardest-working formulas here.
Annie Milroy is the Beauty Writer for woman&home and other publications. After eight years working in the fashion & beauty industry, she's left the fashion world behind and now writes about everything from lightweight foundations, her favourite perfumes, to natural-looking fake tans and the best toners.
Rhiannon Derbyshire is Senior Beauty Editor at woman&home and other women's titles. During her career, she's specialised in beauty, fashion, interiors and health, but beauty remains her favourite topic – and she reviewed a number of the stellar toners in this guide.
Amelia is an experienced shopping editor with a specialism in beauty and fashion who has written for woman&home, Marie Claire UK, OK!, New!, and Notion. During her time as woman&home's fashion and beauty writer, Amelia tested hundreds of products to sort the best from the rest – including some of the final toners featured here.
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editor. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she's tested dozens of toners over the years, and has a select few that she deems the best for visible results on her oily-combination skin.
Marc Elrick is the CEO and Founder of skincare brand BYOMA, which launched in 2022. With its simple-yet-effective, skin barrier-friendly products, the brand has already taken social media and retailers like Boots by storm. And with a number of toners on offer, Marc is well placed to advise on what the best ones should do well.