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If washing your face and using the best moisturizer for your skin type isn’t giving you a clear, dewy complexion, it may be time to add the best toners to level up your daily regimen. Generally used as a step between cleanser and moisturizer, the best toners are jacks-of-all-trades. “Some toners help unclog pores, and others help to decongest the skin and prep it for the next step in your routine. It just depends on the product you use and its formulation,” explains Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules. Whether your skin is sensitive, acne-prone, craving moisture, or prone to enlarged pores, there is a toner for you.
To help you navigate all the options, we asked discerning shoppers and dermatologists for their best recommendations based on skin type, complexion concern, budget, and other shopping preferences. We also got the lowdown on what to look for in a toner and how to apply it so that you can get the most out of your product. Consider this the official guide to all things toner that you never knew you needed.
Once an astringent one-trick pony used to tame hormone-fueled teenage breakouts, toner has come a long way in recent years. Nowadays toners are tailored to different skin types and concerns to help you get the most out of them (and any skin care that follows).
Generally speaking, toners help prep your face for serums and moisturizers by penetrating the skin quickly and removing any makeup or dirt left behind after the skin is cleansed. Some formulas are acid-based and used to exfoliate and resurface the skin, while others are hydrating and aim to lock in moisture, explains Dr. Jaliman. So basically, a product’s specific formula will determine the results it delivers to your skin.
Dr. Jaliman recommends applying toner after you’ve cleansed your face and patted it dry. “If you’re using a traditional liquid toner, saturate a cotton pad and gently apply it all over the face, neck, and chest. Let it dry, and then use your serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen,” she says. If you’re trying to be more eco-friendly, a reusable cotton pad (like this one) would work too. Just make sure it’s clean before using it.
Dr. Jaliman’s directions hold true no matter the texture of your toner. Traditionally, toner is water-like, but some formulas are more gel- or lotion-like. Spray toners or toner gel sticks are the exceptions to this rule. Those can be applied directly from their bottle or tube without going onto a cotton pad first.
According to Angela Lamb, MD, an associate professor at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York City, those with normal or combination skin can use toner every day, in the evening and/or the morning. However, those with sensitive and dry skin should dial back to once a day or once every other day so the skin doesn’t become irritated.
And if you’re using an astringent formula for oily or acne-prone skin, you should ramp up slowly. “Start by using the product once every two days, and slowly, over a month or two, work your way up to once a day along with your usual skin care routine,” Dr. Lamb says.
Toners are designed to deposit an active ingredient on the skin and complement leave-on skin care products, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mt. Sinai in New York City. “The latest generation of toners have a variety of benefits, and each product contains different active ingredients. There is not one particular ingredient you should look for—it really depends on your skin concerns and goals. Your best friend’s favorite toner may not be right for you, and you should choose one that addresses your particular skin needs.”
Here are some common ingredients Dr. Zeichner says to look for based on your skin type:
Look for products with: beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) like salicylic acid; witch hazel; alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid; poly-hydroxy acid (PHA); and antimicrobial ingredients such as hypochlorous acid
Look for products with: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide (an antioxidant)
Look for products with: anti-inflammatory and calming ingredients such as aloe vera, botanicals, cucumber, rosewater, green tea, and chamomile
Ready to shop the best toners? Read on for our favorite editor-tested and dermatologist-backed formulas.
All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Dr. Jaliman crowned this the best toner for all skin types because of its gentle formula and high-quality ingredients. “It’s alcohol-free, so it doesn't strip the skin of its natural oils, and the patented combination of amino acids helps calm irritated and red skin and improves the skin barrier,” she tells Glamour.
Amino acids can also help diminish fine lines and wrinkles, a benefit noted by Amazon reviewer Michelle. “This has changed my skin from the first day of using,” she writes. “It has shrunk my very large pores, and it even helps with wrinkles! I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin, and I haven't had acne since using it for the past three months.”
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Good for all skin types, according to Dr. Zeichner this lightweight, acid-free solution helps brighten the skin thanks to the inclusion of niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3. “Niacinamide is the ultimate multitasker. It calms, brightens, helps with hyperpigmentation and moisture retention, and strengthens the skin at the same time,” he says.
Sephora shoppers love this Charlotte Tilbury product because it’s gentle, helps clarify pores, and improves skin texture, which helps prep the skin for makeup. Both shoppers and Dr. Zeichner note that this is an especially good product for anyone using strong retinoids (like tretinoin and tazarotene) because it’s free of BHA or AHA—two ingredients that can be too drying and irritating when paired with strong vitamin A-based products. For all the retinol girlies, rest assured that Dr. Zeichner gives two thumbs up to combining this with whatever you’re using.
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Whether your skin gets flaky in the winter or is perpetually parched year-round, we have just the thing for you. Dr. Jaliman says this affordable CeraVe toner is great for any skin type—especially those with dry or sensitive skin. “It contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which calm the skin and help retain the skin’s moisture level.” In addition to being hydrating on its own, this toner also helps moisturizer penetrate the skin and work more effectively, notes Amazon reviewer Xeliha. “If you apply your cream right after using this tonic, [your skin] feels so smooth and well hydrated all day,” she writes.
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Fight clogged pores, blackheads, and acne with the cult-favorite exfoliant from Paula’s Choice. “I’ve found that most toners are either super drying or total bullshit and don’t work,” says tester Margot Beldengreen of New York. “But this product used as a toner has really improved my overall skin texture and helped with pore-size reduction and breakouts.”
Dr. Zeichner is also a big fan of this product and generally recommends it to those with oily or acne-prone skin. “The maximum-strength salicylic acid in the formula helps keep the pores clear and reduces shine but doesn’t tend to cause irritation,” he says.
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Toners like this one, made with alcohol and succinic acid, help control how much sebum (the oily substance that makes skin look shiny and feel greasy) hangs out on the surface of the skin. Dr. Zeichner likes that this formula also contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin to keep the skin from getting too dried out. Shoppers with oily skin agree that this toner is totally worth it splurge. “I absolutely love this essence! It helps control the oil level of my skin and leaves a refreshing glow on all day long,” writes one reviewer. “It controls oil while also hydrating my skin,” says another.
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“If you have acne-prone skin, you want a toner that contains glycolic acid, like this one from The Ordinary,” says Dr. Lamb. “Glycolic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells so they can’t mix together with the excess oil on the skin and create acne,” she explains. Classified as an alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid can also help reduce the appearance of sun spots, acne, and hyperpigmentation, which is a benefit many reviewers of The Ordinary’s toner specifically call out. “I saw improvement on my acne, blackheads, and hyperpigmentation,” noted one shopper. “I love this and use it all over my body for dark spots on my underarms, knees, and elbows,” said another.
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Another Dr. Lamb rec is this lightweight and hydrating toner from Paula’s Choice. “An alcohol-free toner like this one is a good option for someone with sensitive skin. This way you are not overdrying your skin. As a bonus, the formula contains ceramides and niacinamide, which helps reduce the appearance of pores and enhances the skin’s lipid barrier to help lock in moisture,” she says. Ingredients like chamomile and burdock root extract add to its skin-calming formula.
Dermstore reviewers are also big fans, with one writing, “I have been using Paula’s Choice toner for several years. I have sensitive skin, and this toner feels good on my skin, and I have no breakouts or issues from using it.”
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Keeping skin that’s both oily and dry free of blemishes and flakes is no easy feat, but Pixi Glow Tonic is here to help. Glycolic acid provides gentle exfoliation, aloe vera hydrates thirsty skin, and witch hazel tames oil production to keep acne-causing bacteria at bay. Tester Eliana Schauffer says she generally doesn’t have many issues plaguing her combination skin, so she doesn’t typically notice a big difference when she switches products. However, that wasn’t the case when she started using Pixi Glow Tonic. “I could actually see a difference in my skin! My skin is clearer, and now it actually glows,” Schauffer tells Glamour. “I also like that it accomplishes multiple things in one step—it cleanses, exfoliates, and prevents acne. Plus, it’s very affordable.”
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If you have dry, parched skin, you should be quick to purchase this ultranourishing toner from Laneige. “This toner is specifically designed to help enhance hydration,” says Dr. Zeichner. “It combines hyaluronic acid—which plumps, hydrates, and helps the skin retain moisture—with beta-glucans, which help repair the skin barrier.” A damaged skin barrier could be one of the things causing your dry, flaky skin, so incorporating beta-glucans into your skin care routine can help improve your complexion in the long run, explains Dr. Zeichner.
Sephora reviewers who experience dryness and sensitivity agree that this product is a home run, with one calling this toner “very soothing” and “hydrating.” “Usually, toners will leave my skin feeling dry, but this has been very gentle and effective. I would recommend it to my dry/combo skin girlies,” writes one happy Sephora shopper.
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If you have sensitive skin, finding a gentle yet effective toner can be an arduous task. But this Valmont Toner, enriched with skin-soothing chamomile and oil-taming witch hazel, is a great option to try. Just read what senior brand strategy manager and tester Samantha Azizian, who’s tried countless products that were too harsh for her dry, super-sensitive skin has to say: “My facialist recommended this product, and it completely changed my skin. It’s evened out my skin tone and has given me more moisture without breaking me out. I sometimes think expensive products are a scam, but this is the only one that I’ve seen visible changes. Everyone compliments my skin.”
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This TikTok-viral toner has a spicy watermelon scent that reviewers can’t get enough of. “I use this product daily,” writes one Sephora shopper. “It has a fresh scent and has visibly improved my pores!” Notes another happy reviewer: “It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin or leave it feeling dry.”
What makes this bestseller such a winner? “The hero ingredient in this toner is PHA or polyhydroxy acid, which is an ultragentle cousin to glycolic acid,” explains Dr. Zeichner. “PHA has exfoliating properties and helps promote cellular turnover, which can help flush out blocked pores.” (FYI, the more clogged your pores are, the bigger they’ll appear.) “PHA also has humectant effects, so it pulls in hydration to the outer skin layer, making this a great option for those looking for additional hydration,” Dr. Zeichner adds.
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A clear and even skin tone is in close reach when you use this budget-friendly facial toner. “If brightening is your goal, you want to look for something with ingredients that decrease pigmentation, such as azelaic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide,” says Dr. Lamb, who recommends this Good Molecule product. Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 with antioxidant capabilities, is the multihyphenate superstar in this formula. It’s considered to be an impactful oil controller, pore minimizer, and hyperpigmentation fighter, and it also targets dullness and uneven skin tone. And this product really delivers—a number of Amazon and Ulta reviewers noticed it helped fade dark spots and acne scars and helped make their pores less visible.
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The Laneige Cream Skin Refillable Toner & Moisturizer With Ceramides and Peptides is a game-changer for those with normal to dry skin looking for a toner that hydrates, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, and helps improve skin barrier function. Dr. Lamb says that Laneige is one of her favorite brands. “It focuses on hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which will draw in moisture. This particular product is an excellent option for the winter or for anyone with very dry skin.”
The texture is milky and creamy, and many Sephora reviewers say it leaves their skin feeling soft, smooth, and well-hydrated. The bottle is refillable, and the refill pouches are $30—a small savings for your wallet compared with buying a new bottle and a major win for the environment. The pouch containing the refill toner uses 90% less plastic than the toner bottles.
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