16 of the best toners for every skin type, need and concern

The best toners aren't a wholly necessary skincare step, but they can make a huge difference to your complexion.

Adding another step into your skincare routine might feel unnecessary but the best toner buys have a multitude of impressive benefits like natural skin brightening, hydrating, balancing, exfoliating, and more. 

Not convinced? Here’s exactly why you should give the toner a try. “Toners should be applied as the second step in your skincare routine to cleanse skin to help replenish and restore the microbiome,” explains, Marc Elrick, Founder of BYOMA. “They help with skin exfoliation and rebalancing 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. This will increase the efficacy of the rest of your skincare.” 

While they aren’t considered essential, toners have the ability to help aid absorption and the efficacy of your best skincare products like serums, skincare acids, and moisturizers, which is an added beauty bonus. Here are the beauty teams' favorite ones.

The best toner for all skin types, chosen by our beauty team

Pixi Glow Tonic is a cult skincare staple that has acquired legions of adoring fans thanks to its ability to switch on the skin’s glow like a light switch. The 5% glycolic acid formula unglues the bonds that lock dead cells to the surface to purge pores, smooth skin, and accelerate cell turnover. All this exfoliating goodness is offset by soothing aloe vera to keep skin feeling nice and comfortable. 

All of this together made make-up application a much smoother task - even the best foundation can look a little uneven if your skin texture isn't quite right, but after using this my base seemed to sit better on my skin, looking more even and natural. From the very first evening, my face looked a lot perkier, and within a week I was waking up to noticeably brighter, healthier-looking skin. This is a great toner to have in your arsenal when your skin is looking a little fatigued and dull.  

When we say heavy-duty, we mean it. This toner will tackle all of your skincare woes quickly and effectively - however, this probably won't be suitable for sensitive or overly dry dehydrated skin. Best for those who are acne prone, or have stubborn scarring or rough texture that just won't budge, this ridiculously affordable toner from The Ordinary is one of the best out there. 

Glycolic acid is a holy grail ingredient for many skincare junkies, particularly those who suffer from breakouts, due to its ability to help you shed dead skin cells. It is also a multi-use product, with many fans of this toner using it to help prevent ingrown hairs or reduce odor under the armpits (yes really!) On my acne-prone skin, I find that using this toner every other day is plenty to keep my breakouts at bay without over-drying. For best results, use your hands to gently pat it into the face and allow it to dry before applying other products.  

It is best to use this toner in the evening, and be sure to use your best facial sunscreen every day when using this (or any type of glycolic acid) as it makes you more susceptible to sunburn. 

When it comes to fine lines and deep-set sun damage, it can often feel like no amount of skincare will reverse these signs of ageing. That is until you stumble across this toner. Ole Henriksen has made a name for itself in the skincare world, largely thanks to a brightening and glow-inducing range of products that always deliver on results - and this toner is no different. 

Part of a PM range designed for use in a skincare night routine, this product is designed to be used after cleansing in the evening and followed up with the brand's barrier booster essence that will reveal a lit-from-within glow the next morning. For best results, use a cotton pad to sweep the product across the face and remove any excess dirt or build-up that your cleanser didn't quite tackle. 

This toner has a lemony fresh scent that makes you feel squeaky clean and absorbs super quickly into the skin. You may feel a slight tingly sensation when first applying, but this is common with AHA products that really work. It is also suitable for sensitive skin, so what's not to love?

If plant-powered natural skincare is important to you, treat your skin to this tonic, created back in 1995. It has a lovely, soft botanical scent, fragranced with a blend of essential oils, which belies the naturally active ingredients within the formulation. 

Don't be thrown by the gentle, radiance-enhancing botanical ingredients. This toner produces tangible results. Even after double cleansing, it removed a lot of extra muck on the cotton pad. When the skin feels slightly tight and uncomfortable after cleansing, this tonic cures that symptom - a testament to its pH-balancing credentials, replacing stiffness with a soft and sated feeling. Aloe vera offers instant refreshment and cucumber extract provides a calming, cooling effect. If you have a regime already filled with high-powered actives in serums and creams, this gentle and soothing tonic will be a sympathetic pairing. 

PHA skincare provides gentle exfoliation on the skin's surface and is ideal for congested, dull, and rough complexions. PHAs also have humectant properties, meaning they help your skin attract and maintain moisture. So if you're weighing up AHA vs BHA, which are often associated with side effects such as dryness and irritation, PHA could be worth a try instead. These polyhydroxy acids help to enrich the complexion as they slough off dead skin and clear out pores. 

I can certainly speak to its gentle approach. I didn’t experience a hint of tingling or stinging, and my skin felt comfortable afterward, rather than gagging for serum and moisturizer. Of all the toners on this list, this left my skin with the softest, silkiest feeling, and a glow akin to having emerged from a facial. Some reviews say it has visibly helped users who are learning how to get rid of acne scars, and while I don’t have much in the way of scarring, my skin already feels less bumpy and rough.

The worry with astringent toners is that they will be a little too efficient at eliminating excess oil, and will leave skin feeling stripped and tight. That is far from the case with La Roche Posay’s hypoallergenic, minimalist formula, which has been specifically developed with reactive skin in mind. So yes, it helps to regulate oil production, prevent blemishes and unblock pores but not at the cost of irritating or drying out the skin. 

It was amazing (and hugely satisfying) to see how much residue came off my face when using this toner after cleansing, and my pores certainly looked less gapingly obvious. With a complexion that errs on the dry side, I may not be the target audience for this toning lotion but my skin felt refreshed, softer, and looked more refined - proving that every skin type can benefit from gentle clarifying.

This iconic product from Kiehl’s has been loved by customers since 1960, so I had high hopes before even opening this swirly little bottle. Designed to soothe troublesome or oily skin, this alcohol-free and non-comedogenic solution promises to be kind to all skin types. It also says that it reduces visible blotchiness and surface oil, so it will be the ideal skincare for oily skin.

The second this toner hit my skin it immediately cooled and refreshed, so much so, it almost felt like I was holding cold metal against my skin. Visibly reducing my post-shower redness within minutes, I really loved using this toner. It also gave me some of the softest skin I have ever experienced - I kept insisting my friends stroke my face to prove it. 

I’m a huge fan and just know I’ll be using this throughout the summer months to keep me and my skin refreshed and calm. 

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 immediately. While I don’t use it as a toner per see (I wouldn't use it every day, or after every cleanse), if you have acne, or hormonal spots, and have been wondering how to get rid of acne, this is the buy I'd recommend. 

Whether you decide to apply it as a toner all over your face or dab onto problem areas, this is one of the best toner options for blemish-prone skin. The high percentage of salicylic acid and green tea extract work in harmony to help clear skin and keep hydration levels and irritation balanced. 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.

Radiance-boosting toners tend to be glycolic acid based so it’s a refreshing change to see one that uses Vitamin C to brighten. Offering a more gentle approach to overhauling lackluster skin, the potent ingredient works to naturally brighten your complexion after just a couple of uses. This toner is formulated with 2% Vitamin C, plus lemon verbena water to help illuminate your complexion, reduce pigmentation, and tone the skin. 

After saturating a cotton pad with this toner, I swept across my face post-morning cleanse. Best used in the mornings, this radiance-boosting toner felt lovely and refreshing on my skin. The solution is formulated with the same acidic pH as the skin, so it helps to rebalance after each time you wash your face. It also works to eliminate limestone and mineral residue found in tap water, great if you live in an area with hard water. It basically cleans your face after you’ve cleaned your face, something I didn’t know we needed to do until now. I really enjoyed this as a refreshing and rebalancing morning toner and think it’s fantastic value for money. 

Packed with glow-boosting AHAs and exfoliating BHAs, this toner packs a punch. Gentle enough for everyday use yet totally transformative, this powerful solution works to refine, exfoliate, tighten, and smooth appearance, in addition to brightening. It’s also packaged in an impressive 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottle and is vegan and cruelty-free too. 

REN is a brand I already love as they have truly respectable values and always manage to produce effective beauty products that are clean to the skin and clean to our planet. I loved the pump dispenser on this toner, it really makes for a fuss and mess-free application onto the cotton pad and then your skin. I felt the ingredients getting to work immediately, giving a mild tightening feeling to my face, something which is always a sign of a good hard-working product. I applied my normal serums and moisturizers on top and everything layered nicely, so it is very easily incorporated into your daily routine. If you're after a general skin health boost, then this is the best toner for you. 

A non-irritating, non-drying face toner that gives you baby-soft skin and doesn’t cost a fortune? Sign us up. Bursting with all the good stuff your skin craves like soothing oat milk, calming aloe juice, detoxing niacinamide, and hydrating hyaluronic acid, this bargain toner does it all. Plus, it’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, and vegan too, a true overachiever in its field. All skin types can benefit from this product and even sensitive skin types, which is a real bonus. 

Senior Beauty Editor, Rhiannon Derbyshire tried this. “ELF's skincare is quite underrated but they're a brilliant affordable brand, full of hardworking buys," she says. "This is ideal for soothing sensitive skin, which came in handy after I got a bit heavy-handed with a potent AHA. My skin felt comfortable and immediately calmed. This would also work if your skin feels dry or itchy after cleansing.”

The undisputed champion of toners, this Kefir mist is like a spa day, bottled. Quite literally my favorite ever beauty scent, this toning mist is honestly unbeatable in my eyes. The refreshing 4-in-1 hydrates, tones, primes, and even sets makeup for a healthy and juicy-looking complexion. 

The mist evenly distributes the toner (there's nothing worse than a soaked face after misting), for a refreshing little pick-me-up for your skin and mind. I am known to steal literally every bottle of this that lands in the office and even reuse the empty bottle for other toners because the pump is just so good. Quite simply, it's a forever rebuy for me.

Sensitive skin types and those prone to rosacea will adore this brand-new offering from Caudalie. Helping to remove any last traces of makeup and impurities, this seriously soothing toner is so worth investing in. The alcohol-free Organic rose water-based solution is gentle on the skin and works hard to leave skin fresh, clear and comfortable post-morning or evening cleanse.

Senior Beauty Editor Rhiannon Derbyshire tested this one out. “I've been known to dismiss 'calming' or gentle toners as being unnecessary, but this really changed my mind," she says. "I tend to stick to exfoliating buys because they feel more useful, so I was surprised by how much I loved this. In seconds my skin felt softer, soothed, and prepped for the next step in my skincare routine. It's ideal for those days when my skin feels a little parched, or if I want more of a hydrating buffer before using a retinoid. I'm converted.”

Ideal for summer months when you need to be instantly cooled down or on holidays for that post-sun skin soothing, this facial toner provides instant relief. Literally packed to the brim with rose, including extracts, rosewater, powder oil, and even real-life petals, this is a floral overload, in the best sense. Renowned for being one of the best soothing skincare ingredients, rose is perfect for those with sensitive skin. 

Not only does this smell like heaven, it really does work hard too. The rose ingredients effectively soothe, calm, and deeply hydrate skin to help keep your complexion looking its best. It also sits really well under all your favorite skincare products and will help with their absorption and efficacy too. Since discovering I’ve really noticed a difference in how plump my skin has been looking. It's worth every penny, if you ask me. 

I'm a huge fan of Byoma's skincare, which is reasonably priced and designed to care for your skin barrier. The stylish packaging is pretty pleasing too. The brand's newly-launched toner promises brighter, improved skin texture and tone after just a couple of uses, and it really delivered when I used it 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 to reveal a more radiant complexion, but it also deeply cleans pores, making this a brilliant exfoliating toner for blemish-prone skin. As someone who had a couple of zits while researching this list, I found this true multi-tasking beauty hero. The affordable price is a huge bonus too. 

Despite not having as gentle of a spray as I would have hoped for, I loved everything about this toner and found it was one of the best toners for calming and soothing red skin. I’m prone to red cheeks post-cleansing and showering, so this little bottle of the soothing solution was a welcome treat for my skin. Being ideal for combination skin types, this toner is a great addition to any skincare routine for combination skin.

Infused with extracts of lavender, quillja wood, and Sweet Betty flower, it helped to rebalance my inflamed skin and also deeply hydrated and softened it. The relaxing aroma of lavender also means that when I am applying in the evening before my nighttime beauty regime, it helped calm my mind, body, and soul. On the whole, I still prefer Elemis' Kefir mist toner but this really is a toner that you just can’t dislike, regardless of the slightly wet spray applicator (my pet peeve).

How we tested the best toners

When it comes to skincare, it can be challenging to find what works for you. Toners are particularly tricky if you have sensitive or blemish-prone skin that tends to reject new products.

That's why we tried out some of the best toners on the market, testing them on various skin types and including them in our skincare routines for at least a week to see how each performed when used consistently. By testing them over this time period, our beauty team who all have different skin types, could properly assess the effectiveness of each product. 

This guide will help you to determine which product will work best for you and what results you can expect to see, as well as any potential complications to bear in mind. 

How to choose the best toner for your skin type

While most experts agree that healthy skin doesn't hinge on using toner, liquid skincare does offer worthwhile perks. The key is to choose a formulation tailored to your skin type or concern. 

• If you have visible pores: Nothing is going to physically tighten and constrict your pores, not even the most alcohol-laden toner. However, what an astringent acid toner does is thoroughly de-gunk pores, purging whatever residue and oil might emphasize their appearance. They can also be a little more gentle than most acid products, so in this case the answer to the big question - how often should you exfoliate your face - can be up to three or four times. 
• If you have sensitive skin: The skin barrier is your skin’s frontline defense, keeping moisture locked in and irritants locked out. A weakened skin barrier can lead to redness, irritation, and sensitized skin. Strengthening this outer layer is crucial for healthy skin, and 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”.
• If your skin is off-balance: Your skin’s pH level sits around 5.5, while water has a level of 7, which means that splashing your face after cleansing can throw your skin off-kilter and cause issues such as redness, excess oil, or flaky skin. Choosing a gentle acid-based toner can work to bring the skin back to a comfortable pH level.
• If you're dehydrated: Hydrating toners make your skin more receptive to any serums and creams you apply thereafter. When water affects the skin's pH, your moisturizer 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 early moisture boost.  

Toners can also be referred to as essences, tonics or waters. Once you've found the best toner for you, apply it on a daily basis, either splashed onto a cotton pad (reusable for extra eco points) or sprayed directly onto the skin. Always apply to dry skin after cleansing and before other skincare, to make your best eye cream or best retinol cream even more effective.