We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Skin & Hair Products The 15 Best Toners for All Skin Types, Tested and Reviewed Hydrate, exfoliate, and calm your skin with these expert-approved toners. By Kayla Blanton Updated on May 01, 2024 Medically reviewed by Susan Bard, MD Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print Verywell Health / Amelia Manley If you’re trying to establish a solid skincare routine, you’ve probably wondered if a toner can help. Using a toner is a bonus step to remove excess oil, makeup, or dirt, says Lauren Fine, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago. Some toners have additional ingredients that offer hydration and exfoliation, depending on your skin’s needs. To pick the best toners on the market for every type of skin concern, we tested 24 toners on various skin types and age groups, paying close attention to each formula’s feel, absorption, hydration, and appearance on the face. We then narrowed the contenders down to the 15 best products. Here are our top picks. Ingredients to Look for and Avoid in Toners The ingredients you prioritize in a toner depend on your skin type and the function you want it to serve, be it hydration, cleansing, exfoliation, or a combination of the three: Hydration: Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University, recommends opting for hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera. Exfoliation: If you need exfoliation, Dr. Garshick says to look for hydroxy acids like lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. Cleanliness: If you want to ensure skin cleanliness, look for gentle ingredients like rose water, green tea, or aloe vera, says Dr. Garshick. Texture or acne: Exfoliants like glycolic or salicylic acid can help address texture or acne. Dry or sensitive skin: If you have dry or sensitive skin and want to strengthen your barrier, reach for a toner with hydrators and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or glycerin. Dr. Garshick recommends avoiding harsh alcohols, which can dry out your skin. If you have sensitive skin, it’s also best to avoid toners that contain fragrance. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Murad Clarifying Toner at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best for Oily Skin: Farmacy Deep Sweep Toner at Amazon ($34) Jump to Review Best for Inflammation: Buttah Skin AHA/BHA Rosewater Toner at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best for Texture: Carrot & Stick The Toner at Carrotstick.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best for Minimizing Pores: SK-II toner at Amazon ($59) Jump to Review Best for Acne: Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner at Amazon ($22) Jump to Review Best for A.M. and P.M.: Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner at Walmart ($30) Jump to Review Best Budget: Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner at Amazon ($7) Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Absolute Joi Balancing PH Skin Toner at Amazon ($39) Jump to Review Best Vegan: Fenty Beauty Fat Water Toner Essence at Fentybeauty.com ($34) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks We Also Tested Where We Stand How We Tested the Best Toners What to Look for in a Toner Our Experts FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Murad Clarifying Toner Sephora View On Amazon $30 View On Ulta $30 View On Skinstore.com $30 Pros Lightweight, clear formula Cleansing and hydrating Minimizes dark spots and fine lines Cons May be drying for some Key Specs Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, algae extract, grapeseed oil | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Cleansing, balancing, refreshing, hydrating Why We Recommend It Murad Clarifying Toner is marketed toward those with oily skin, but our editor with normal-to-dry skin absolutely loved how the formula made her skin look and feel. The bottle is easy to use and dispenses just the right amount of product. The clear liquid doesn’t feel greasy, thanks to the witch hazel and algae extract. The toner is meant to provide an extra cleanse when needed, and we found it does exactly that, with an enjoyable cooling sensation that leaves the skin feeling firmer but not dehydrated. We even used a basic face wash before using the toner and still found dirty residue on the cotton round after application. Keep In Mind If you have dry skin, you might expect the witch hazel in this toner to be dehydrating. However, the grapeseed oil in this toner goes a long way in balancing out the drying qualities of witch hazel, so it’s still worth a try. Best for Oily Skin Farmacy Deep Sweep Toner Amazon View On Amazon $34 View On Farmacybeauty.com View On Kohls.com $17 Pros No odor or fragrance Gentle yet exfoliating Contains natural enzymes Cons Not ideal for sensitive skin Key Specs Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, moringa water, papaya enzymes | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Oily | Benefits: Exfoliating, refining Why We Recommend It Salicylic acid works on acne-prone skin to absorb excess oil, preventing it from clogging pores, explains Dr. Garshick. Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Toner contains 2% salicylic acid, as well as naturally exfoliating papaya enzymes to kick sebum to the curb without causing irritation. We found it refreshed and balanced our skin and even minimized the appearance of fine lines around our eyes and on our forehead. We especially loved that it felt lightweight on the skin and had no evident fragrance. After one use, our skin felt cleaner and brighter. And even though we used this product to tame oily skin, it didn't feel too drying. Keep In Mind We had a hard time dispensing the toner at first, but subsequent uses were much easier. Also, we didn’t notice a huge difference in how hydrated our skin was after using this toner, but it didn’t dry out our skin, either. Best for Inflammation Buttah Skin AHA/BHA Rosewater Toner Amazon View On Amazon $18 Pros Sleek packaging Convenient pump dispenser Gently exfoliating Cons Doesn't work as quickly as others on this list Key Specs Key Ingredients: Alpha and beta-hydroxy acids, rose water, aloe vera | Size: 3.4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating, calming Why We Recommend It The soothing rose water in Buttah Rosewater Toner works to calm redness and inflammation. It also contains ingredients to serve as a tempering buffer for the low concentration of exfoliating acids it delivers to the skin. Most notably, aloe vera keeps those acids from stripping or causing irritation to the skin by restoring hydration. We loved how quickly the toner absorbed into our skin, without any lingering tightness or sticky residue. When we applied it, we appreciated that it didn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin. Because the formula is so light, you can feel safe layering your other favorite products without your skin feeling heavy and oversaturated. Keep In Mind Overall, this product left our skin feeling more balanced, but it didn’t deliver overwhelming results in the short term. We’d recommend it for anyone with sensitive skin or people who are looking to get started with a gentle toner that won’t overwhelm their skin. Best for Texture Carrot & Stick The Toner Carrot & Stick View On Carrotstick.com Pros Improves hydration Absorbs quickly Cleanses excess dirt and oil Cons Slightly thick texture Key Specs Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, plant antioxidants | Size: 4.1 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrating, softening Why We Recommend It Carrot and Stick The Toner improves the look and texture of skin immediately as well as over time. It contains hyaluronic acid for an instant plumping effect, as well as antioxidants that help boost the production of collagen, which improves the skin’s texture and firmness. A blend of aloe and other botanicals offers hydration, and we found that it leaves the skin feeling ultra-soft without any greasiness. We especially loved the controlled dispenser and packaging, which made the product easy to use. There was no residue after application and we appreciated how quickly this toner absorbed into our skin. Overall, it left us feeling both hydrated and clean throughout testing. Keep In Mind The toner didn’t seem to affect hyperpigmentation, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, or acne during our short-term testing but, with the AHA and BHA in this formula, it should over time. Best for Minimizing Pores SK-II toner Amazon View On Amazon $59 Pros Improves hydration Absorbs quickly Cleanses excess dirt and oil Cons Costs more than other products on our list Key Specs Key Ingredients: Alpha hydroxy acids, vitamins, amino acids | Size: 5.4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrating, softening, refining Why We Recommend It SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner’s lightweight formula has a water-like consistency that doesn’t cause irritation and feels feather-light on the skin. Our editor with sensitive skin and enlarged pores found one use of this toner left her skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and soothed. It also noticeably evened out her skin texture. We found it prepped the skin for additional serums and creams, leaving behind a refreshed glow. Because it's so lightweight on the skin, it almost felt like we weren't wearing it at all, making it ideal for layering. The light scent is welcome and unobtrusive. And, throughout testing, we appreciated that it left our skin feeling hydrated without making it feel greasy or oily. Keep In Mind The product comes out of the bottle quickly, so be sure to dispense it carefully to avoid waste. It’s marketed as a clear lotion, but the consistency is more watery and lightweight. Best for Acne Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner Sephora View On Amazon $22 View On Innisfree.com $22 Pros Calms redness Cleans pores Leaves behind a radiant glow Cons Difficult to dispense Key Specs Key Ingredients: Green tea, hyaluronic acid, panthenol | Size: 5.4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Acne-prone, dry | Benefits: Calming, soothing, hydrating Why We Recommend It We found Innisfree Green Tea Seed Intensive Hydrating Toner’s soothing formula to be effective at calming irritated, hormonal, acne-prone skin. Just minutes after application we noticed a decrease in redness, and a budding pimple began to flatten thanks to the formula’s soothing green tea extract, an antioxidant that protects from environmental stressors. The toner is also a good secondary cleanser. It lifted makeup residue after a standard wash, leaving our pores feeling refined, bright, and balanced. The added panthenol and hyaluronic acid provide a welcome moisture boost. Keep In Mind Once we successfully dispensed this toner, the results were gold, but the application wasn’t easy. It took us quite a bit of work to get three drops from the bottle. Best for A.M. and P.M. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner Sephora View On Walmart $30 View On Walmart $25 View On Fresh.com Pros Removes impurities and dead skin Absorbs quickly Lightly hydrating Cons Semi-intense rose scent Key Specs Key Ingredients: Rose, hyaluronic acid, angelica leaf extract | Size: 8.4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Cleansing, hydrating, brightening Why We Recommend It We loved Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner’s lightweight texture. It left our skin feeling clean and refreshed. Rosewater, rose flower, and angelica leaf extract work together in this elixir to restore balance and relaxation to the skin, and we found it also removes lingering dirt and oil post-cleanse. We love that it’s lightweight and gentle enough to use twice daily on all skin types—and the bottle is one of the bigger ones on this list, meaning you won't run out of it too quickly if you choose to use it twice a day. This toner noticeably reduced the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and irritation on our face. We also loved how it brightened and evened our skin tone; it gave us a vibrant and healthy glow. Keep In Mind The price tag might make some people pause, but for the bottle size (8.4 fluid ounces) and the effectiveness, it’s well worth the initial investment. Best Budget Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner Amazon View On Amazon $7 View On Walmart $20 Pros Oil- and alcohol-free Cleansing and hydrating Easy to dispense Cons Contains fragrance Key Specs Key Ingredients: Mild purifiers, panthenol | Size: 8.5 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Cleansing, hydrating Why We Recommend It Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner is meant to be as basic as they come, and its price tag is reflective of that. It contains minimal ingredients and mild purifiers that collect any remaining traces of dirt and oil after cleansing without stripping the skin of hydration. We found it to be refreshing on the skin, easy to dispense, and non-irritating. One bottle is also likely to last a good while, making it a solid pick for anyone on a budget. While we didn't notice a massive difference in our skin's texture, fine lines, or hyperpigmentation, this toner did leave us feeling hydrated and clean. It also didn't leave any unwanted residue and it absorbed quickly into the skin. So if you're just looking for an additional boost to cleansing your skin and an extra kick of hydration on a budget, this pick is for you. Keep In Mind Although our skin felt great after using this toner, we didn’t notice a huge difference in how it looked. It didn’t seem to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, or hyperpigmentation. Best for Sensitive Skin Absolute Joi Balancing PH Skin Toner Thirteen June View On Amazon $39 View On Thirteenlune.com $39 Pros Hydrating jelly consistency Convenient pump dispenser Minimal ingredients Cons Takes a full minute or two to dry down Key Specs Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, oat, aloe vera | Size: 6.8 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Sensitive, dry | Benefits: Hydrating, calming Why We Recommend It Absolute Joi Balancing pH Skin Toner is unique in that it has a thicker, more gel-like texture than most of the watery toners on this list. That makes it extra soothing and hydrating, as it’s more likely to hang around on the skin and continue to work its magic minutes—or even hours—after it’s applied. It left our face feeling pleasantly hydrated and refreshed. It’s also dermatologist-formulated and fragrance-free, making it safe for sensitive skin, and added oat extract gives it healing, soothing powers. We particularly liked the glowing effect it gave our skin immediately after application. It also noticeably brightened our face. Keep In Mind The toner did a great job brightening our skin and left our face with a healthy glow, but it didn’t do much to minimize fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It also left a slight residue, but not so much that it bothered us. Best Vegan Fenty Beauty Fat Water Toner Essence Sephora View On Fentybeauty.com $34 View On Sephora $35 Pros Convenient twist-top dispenser Hydrating Cons More hydrating than cleansing Key Specs Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, mineral PCAs, panthenol | Size: 5 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Dry | Benefits: Hydrating Why We Recommend It If you’re looking for a vegan toner to amp up the hydration in your skincare routine, Fenty Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner will do the trick. Thanks to its thick, milky consistency, it’s a toner-essence hybrid that will leave your skin soothed and glowing long after application. But just because formula feels thick as you dispense it doesn't mean it feels heavy on the face. During testing, it felt lightweight on our skin and didn't leave behind a greasy or oily feeling. In fact, our pores felt cleaner and less clogged as soon as we used it. We found that the toner revived our skin with moisture and brightness, and we especially loved how easy it was to dispense. There’s no need to remove a lid—twist, turn, squeeze, and slather. Keep In Mind The texture is more milky and hydrating than watery, so if you’re looking for a toner with a watery consistency, you may be disappointed. Best Anti-Aging Renee Rouleau Elderberry Soothing Toner Renee Rouleau View On Reneerouleau.com $40 Pros Antioxidant-rich Fresh scent Hydrating Cons Easy to dispense too much Key Specs Key Ingredients: Elderberry, sodium PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-1 | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrating, anti-aging Why We Recommend It Renée Rouleau Elderberry Soothing Toner earns our anti-aging badge because it delivers immediate results while also helping improve skin health over time. The fluid formula contains hydrators that soften and plump fine lines after application. The added elderberry extract is rich in antioxidants to protect the skin from environmental pollutants that can cause signs of aging. When we first applied this toner, our skin felt a little tight. However, after just a few minutes our skin relaxed and we noticed a beautiful, healthy glow. This toner also helped with hyperpigmentation, which we appreciated. And while we did detect a scent at first, it didn't linger or disturb us throughout the rest of the testing period. Keep In Mind Because the formula of this toner is a bit watery, it's easy to over-dispense the product, which means you may run through it faster than others. It's also not the cheapest option on our list to begin with, so you may want to be extra cautious during application. Best Brightening Freck Beauty Cactus Water Lactic Acid Toner Freck Beauty View On Freckbeauty.com View On Beautybay.com View On Sephora $32 Pros Antioxidant-rich Fresh scent Hydrating Cons Clunky packaging Key Specs Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, cactus flower, kelp extract | Size: 6.5 fluid ounces | Skin Type: Dry, textured | Benefits: Hydrating, refining Why We Recommend It Lactic acid is a gently exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid that sloughs away dead skin and improves tone and texture without sucking the moisture from your skin. That’s exactly how the ingredient performs in Freck Beauty Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner. One of our editors who has dry skin called this product a “drink of water” for their face. We loved the ultra-luxe glass bottle, and the added cactus flower and kelp extract deliver hydration and antioxidants for a more refined complexion. We noticed improved skin quality after one use, although consistent use would likely yield the best results. After just one application, our skin felt plumper, brighter, more hydrated, and refreshed. It gave us the look of being more awake, which made us want to come back for more. Keep In Mind If you have dry skin, you might feel like you need to use a lot of this toner since it’s pretty lightweight. Because it’s water-based, it absorbed almost immediately into our skin, and we even found ourselves wanting to apply a second round. Best Hydrating Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner Sephora View On Amazon $30 View On Belifusa.com View On Sephora $30 Pros Plumps the skin Contains natural ingredients Safe for use on all skin types Reduces hyperpigmentation Cons Doesn’t do much for the appearance of pores Key Specs Key Ingredients: Honeysuckle, baobab, sodium hyaluronate | Size: 6.75 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrating Why We Recommend It Does cleansing your dry skin ever leave it feeling tight and uncomfortable? Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner is the solution. We found it relieved that feeling in one use while also minimizing the look of dark spots and fine lines. Natural ingredients like honeysuckle and baobab help calm skin and prevent moisture loss, while sodium hyaluronate offers ultimate hydration. Before using this product, our skin looked dehydrated and dull. But immediately after application, we noticed a healthy glow. We also appreciated the almost instant reduction in hyperpigmentation and a slight plumping effect that helped with fine lines. And while it is slightly scented, we found it refreshing and not at all overwhelming. Keep In Mind It takes about two minutes for the toner to fully absorb into the skin. Also, if you’re looking for a toner that minimizes pore size, this one didn’t seem to have a huge effect in that area. Best Exfoliating SKKN by Kim Toner SKKN View On Skknbykim.com Pros Hydrating and exfoliating ingredients Aesthetically pleasing packaging Easy to dispense Cons Contains fragrance Could irritate sensitive skin Key Specs Key Ingredients: Fruit enzymes, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, witch hazel, niacinamide | Size: 6 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating Why We Recommend It To ensure your skin is ultra-clean after a long day of wearing sunscreen and makeup, an exfoliating toner is a good go-to. SKKN by Kim Toner contains fruit enzymes as well as glycolic and salicylic acids, so oil and dirt don’t stand a chance of staying behind on your skin. Despite its heavy dose of active ingredients, it felt lightweight, cleansing, and hydrating at the same time, leaving behind a subtle, soft glow. We were pleasantly surprised by how easy the toner was to dispense; the liquid came out easily, but not so quickly that we felt there was a risk of over-dispensing. And we were blown away by how instantly moisturizing this product was without causing any lingering feelings of greasiness. To top it off, we saw a slight reduction in fine lines on our forehead. Keep In Mind Our face felt a little sticky for a few minutes after we applied the toner, but once it dried our skin felt refreshed and hydrated. Best for Face and Body Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray Sephora View On Sephora $12 View On Kohls.com $12 Pros Portable and easy to apply Relieves redness Prevents acne Cons Spray dispenser makes waste more likely Key Specs Key Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid | Size: 4 fluid ounces | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Cleansing, hydrating Why We Recommend It Tower28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray’s main active ingredient, hypochlorous acid, is its stand-out ingredient. It acts as a disinfectant, cleansing the skin on-site and killing potentially acne-causing or irritating bacteria. It’s great to use on both the face and body, especially after a trip to the gym when you don’t have time to rinse off. We found a good spritz was hydrating and instantly improved the appearance of dark spots and fine lines, revealing a more even, calm complexion. After spritzing a cotton round and applying the toner to our face, we noticed our skin felt clean, lightly hydrated, more evenly textured, and brightened. We could even see a bit of dead skin left over on the cotton round afterward. It didn't leave any feeling of greasiness or residue, and our pores felt more open and less clogged instantly. Keep In Mind We love the convenient and mess-free spray bottle the toner comes in, but it did take a bit of effort to dispense the right amount at first. After that, application was a breeze. We Also Tested Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner: This toner improves the brightness of our skin and opens our pores. However, it felt incredibly abrasive and dry on our face, so anyone with dry or sensitive skin may experience irritation.Dickinson's Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater: While we love that this product is affordable and easily accessible at many retailers, we were underwhelmed with its results. We didn't see any noticeable change in hyperpigmentation, and our skin still felt dry after use.Avene Gentle Toning Lotion: We loved that this toner was lightweight and easy to use, as the packaging didn't cause any mess or over-dispensing. However, after using it, our skin was incredibly dry.Lancome Tonique Confort Re-Hydrating Comforting Toner with Acacia Honey: The milky consistency of this toner felt relaxing and soothing as we applied it to our faces. However, once the product was fully absorbed, our skin felt tight and dry and lacked noticeable improvements. Where We Stand Choosing the toner that's right for you will depend on your specific needs. For example, if your skin is overly dry and you need an added boost of hydration, we recommend the belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner. But if you're more concerned with avoiding acne and removing oil and dirt, the Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray will be a better choice. Consider your individual needs before purchasing a toner. How We Tested the Best Toners The VeryWell Health team participated in lab-based testing of 24 toners. We cleansed our skin before each test, then dispensed the product onto a cotton pad and applied it. We assessed our skin before and after application, rating each product based on the following criteria: Feel: We took note of each formula's consistency and texture. We paid attention to whether it felt watery or milky, and if it felt lightweight, oily, or greasy on the skin.Absorption: After each application, we analyzed how well each toner absorbed into the skin, if it left behind any residue or film, and how long it took to feel fully absorbed.Hydration: We noted if the toners made our skin feel more hydrated or dryer during and after application.Appearance on the face: Once the toners had fully absorbed into our skin, we paid attention to whether or not our skin felt clean and refreshed as a result, and if there was any residue or dirt on the cotton round we used for application. We also examined our pores and whether or not they felt more open or more clogged. Lastly, we noted if we saw improvements in hyperpigmentation, acne, brightness, fine lines, and wrinkles. What to Look for in a Toner Price: Toner prices range from drugstore to luxury. That’s likely because they’re not an essential skincare step but a bonus helper for addressing specific needs. Fortunately, many affordable toners are also effective and widely available in stores. Our Experts Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell UniversityLauren Fine, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago Frequently Asked Questions Do dermatologists recommend toners? Dr. Fine says she doesn’t typically recommend toners unless a patient asks for product suggestions, as they’re not a crucial step in her treatment plans. Dr. Garshick adds that dermatologists may recommend them, depending on the patient’s specific skin concerns. Can toners dry out your skin? Toners are prone to drying out the skin if they contain alcohol. Witch hazel can also be drying when used on sensitive skin. It’s important to understand that not all toners are created equal, though, Dr. Garshick explains, adding that some actually contain hydrating ingredients to promote healthy skin. How often should you use a toner? Depending on a toner’s ingredients, it may be used once or twice a day, Dr. Garshick says. Exfoliating toners, on the other hand, are usually only required a few times per week. Can you use toner on other areas of your body? Yes. Dr. Garshick says you can use toner on your legs, arms, chest, and neck, depending on the ingredients. Why Trust Verywell Health Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a specialization in public health and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She's covered health, nutrition, lifestyle, and beauty at various outlets for five years and has interviewed dozens of dermatologists about skincare. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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