17 Best Face Toners For Clear Skin, As Per An Expert (2024)

The purpose of the best toners for hydrating skin is to give your skin a healthy sheen by doing its work between cleansing and moisturizing and it’s a mistake to skip this step. It is a must-have in your skin care routine. Bella Schneider, the Paramedical Esthetician and Founder of BSB, says, “Toners remove post-cleansing residue and impurities from the skin pores. They restore the skin’s pH level, improve skin texture, tone, and tighten the pores to reduce the penetration of environmental contaminants into the skin. It also protects skin with antioxidants and removes traces of chlorine and minerals left behind from the tap water.”

You’re missing a critical step in your cleanse-tone-moisturize (CTM) process if you’ve been skipping the toner. Whether you have oily or acne-prone skin, using a toner can help keep your complexion balanced and healthy. However, you need to be mindful about choosing the right toner if you tend to have dry skin. Keep reading to get more insight into toners and check out our list of the top toners with positive reviewer’s experience available on the market.

Top Picks	Check Price
Best Overall:Thayers Facial Toner – Rose Petal	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best pH-Balanced:The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best Vegan:Elizabeth Mott Facial Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best Hydrating:L'Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best For Regular Use:Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best For Acne-Prone Skin:PIXI Glow Tonic	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best Hypoallergenic:Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best Clean Toner:Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner	Price on Amazon
Best For Oily Skin:The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart
Best For Dry Skin:Dickinson Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner	Price on Amazon Price on Walmart

17 Best Face Toners For Clear And Hydrated Skin

1. Best Overall:Thayers Facial Toner – Rose Petal

This spray-on toner contains clinically verified non-distilled witch hazel extract and rose water. It is rich in tannins that keep your skin healthy and prevent skin irritation. The organic witch hazel has natural astringent properties and it refreshes your skin, aloe vera promotes hydration, and glycerin moisturizes without clogging skin pores. This rosewater toner contains an organic formula does not disrupt the natural skin barrier and inhibits excess oil production. The Thayers Facial Toner is pore-refining, controls hormonal acne and oil production, and reduces redness and inflammation. If you need more convincing, feel free to check out this honest review of this toner on YouTube. The review will help you understand if the product shows proven efficacy and will also give you an insight into the reviewer’s experience.

Dr. Debra Jaliman, NYC-based board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine, says, “Witch hazel is a natural astringent and can decrease oil and redness. It can reduce bacteria growth on the skin, including acne-causing bacteria. It can moisturize and tighten your skin without leaving it greasy.”

Suitable For: All skin types

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, Aloe vera, and Glycerin

2. Best pH-Balanced: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution contains glycolic acid that exfoliates your skin gently and improves its texture. The non-irritating oil control formula contains clinically-proven ingredients like Tasmanian pepperberry, ginseng root, and aloe vera extracts that helps improve skin radiance and provide skin-soothing benefits. The pH level of this refreshing formula is approximately 3.6. Continuous use of this exfoliating toner improves the overall skin appearance. You can take a look at this YouTube video to understand this toner’s merits and demerits and get an insight into the reviewer’s experience.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stacy Marie Chimento, MD, absolutely loves the product. She says, “It improves dull skin, is gentle enough for sensitive skin, and provides a gentle exfoliation to give you a luminous glow.”

Note: Avoid using it on compromised skin and use sunscreen to avoid UV damage.

Suitable For: All skin types

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid

3. Best Vegan:Elizabeth Mott Facial Toner

The Elizabeth Mott Facial Toner is designed to balance and refresh the skin after cleansing. It can effectively get rid of any leftover impurities or remove traces of residue and restore the skin’s natural pH balance. It is made with clinically backed ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, Centella asiatica extract, panthenol, etc. that hydrate, soothe, or brighten the skin. It also contains Antoxyl-S that protects the skin from environmental aggressors and removes deep-rooted dirt and impurities. The fast-absorbing formula of this refreshing toner acts as a serum that does not feel dry or sticky, and instead, makes your skin bouncy and youthful.

Suitable For: All skin types, including sensitive skin

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and Antoxyl-S

4. Best Hydrating:L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner

The L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner refreshes and softens the skin. It makes your skin appear smooth, soft, supple, and bright. This toner contains beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that gently sweeps away dull, tired skin and provitamin B5 that protects your skin against moisture loss.

Suitable For: Dry skin

Key Ingredients: BHA and Provitamin B5

5. Best For Regular Use:Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner

The Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner is gentle on your skin and great for regular use. It is enriched with chamomile extract with anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant-rich white tea extract that offers sun protection, and aloe leaf juice that soothes your skin.

Suitable For: All skin types

Key Ingredients: Chamomile extract, White tea extract, and Aloe leaf juice

6. Best For Acne-Prone Skin:PIXI Glow Tonic

This facial toner is pH-balanced and has a calming and rejuvenating effect on stressed skin. The PIXI Glow Tonic contains 5% glycolic acid to remove all the impurities from your pores, aloe vera to soothe and hydrate your skin, and red ginseng to protect and energize your skin. This face toner fades blemishes for a radiant complexion and is not tested on animals. To understand the nuances of this toner in a detailed manner, make sure to take a look at this YouTuber’s elaborate review. This toner can be beneficial for those with blemish-prone skin, and it can also improve the texture of the skin.

Suitable For: Acne-prone skin

Key Ingredients: 5% Glycolic acid, Aloe vera, and Red ginseng

Why It’s Worth Buying: The product has more than 1,402 reviews and is a top choice for all reviewers around the world.

7. Best Hypoallergenic:Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner

The Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner is gentle and helps maintain healthy and glowing skin. This specially formulated, oil-free toner refreshes your skin without stripping your skin’s natural oils and moisture. It has mild purifiers to remove all the surface impurities and make it feel tight and firm without any dryness.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, this clarifying toner is for you. Dr. Marie Jhin, a California-based dermatologist, agrees and says, “This is a good cheap toner for acne-prone skin.”

Suitable For: All skin types

8. Best Clean Toner:Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner

The Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is enriched with calendula flower petals with anti-inflammatory properties to soothe your inflamed skin, burdock root extract with moisturizing benefits, and allantoin to enhance hydration. These ingredients work great together to reduce visible redness, excess oil, and the appearance of enlarged pores. This gentle and alcohol-free facial toner cleanses the skin and perks it up to reveal a healthy glow.

Suitable For: Normal, sensitive, and oily skin types

Key Ingredients: Calendula flower petals, Allantoin, and Burdock root extract

9. Best For Oily Skin:The Body Shop Tea Tree Mattifying Toner

Try this mattifying toner if you have super oily skin and need something to prevent the excess shine. The Tea Tree Mattifying Toner by The Body Shop removes all traces of impurities and makeup from your skin. It is infused with potent tea tree oil that purifies and tones the skin to minimize the appearance of pores, leaving it refreshed and visibly clear.

Suitable For: Oily skin

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil

10. Best For Dry Skin:Dickinson Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner

If you have extremely dry skin that needs a boost of hydration, this toner can help you out. The Dickinson Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner is enriched with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, and witch hazel extract. It keeps your skin clean and refreshed without stripping its moisture. This face toner also refines your skin pores and gently removes impurities.

Suitable For: Dry skin

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel extract, Vitamin E, and Hyaluronic acid

11. Best For Moisture Balance:Dr.Hauschka Facial Toner

This Facial Toner by Dr. Hanuschka supports the natural cleansing and renewal process of the skin. It minimizes the appearance of pores and balances moisture. The toner contains anthyllis and witch hazel extracts, which improve skin tone and elasticity. It also doubles as a makeup setting spray and lets you achieve glowy skin.

Suitable For: Sensitive, Combination, Normal, Dry, and Mature skin

Key Ingredients: Anthyllis and Witch hazel extracts

12. Best For Skin Hydration:ISNTREE Green Tea Fresh Toner

The ISNTREE Green Tea Fresh Toner is suitable for oily and combination skin types. It contains green tea extract sourced from Jeju Island that protects, brightens, and balances your skin. The centella asiatica extract in the formula maintains the skin’s moisture barrier, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid boosts hydration, allantoin soothes, and blueberry fruit extract calms the skin. This lightweight toner eliminates excess sebum production to keep the skin shine-free.

Suitable For: Oily and combination skin types

Key Ingredients: Green tea

13.Best Quick Drying Formula: La Roche-Posay Serozinc Face Toner

The La Roche-Posay Serozinc Face Toner contains zinc sulfate solution and works as a face toner and facial mist. It has a mattifying effect and prevents shine. The toner has a watery consistency and gets absorbed quickly.

Suitable For: Oily and sensitive skin types

Key Ingredients: Zinc sulfate

14. Best Lightweight:Dermatologica Multi-Active Toner

The Dermatologica Multi-Active Toner has a lightweight formula. It conditions and prepares the skin for the next skin care steps. The toner contains moisture-binding humectants, which soothe and hydrate the skin. This product also claims to minimize the appearance of enlarged skin pores.

Suitable For: All skin types

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, Lavender extract, Balm Mint, and Arnica

15. Best Skin Detoxification:Milk Makeup Matcha Toner

The Milk Makeup Matcha Toner product is one of its kind. It is the first solid toner with a concealed gel formula. It contains kombucha, matcha green tea, and cactus extracts that hydrate, detoxify, and calm irritated skin.

Suitable For: All skin types

Key Ingredients: Kombucha, Matcha green tea, and Cactus extract

16. Best Ph Balance:Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

This cleansing and brightening toner water contains a high concentration of licorice extract and peony water. Both of these botanical extracts are natural ingredients, and they help reveal brighter skin. The Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner by Acwell also contains green tea extract that calms your skin and reduces pigmentation.

Suitable For: All skin types (especially dry and sensitive skin)

Key Ingredients: Licorice extract, Green tea, Bergamot oil, and Peony water

17. Best For Dead Skin Cells:Proactiv Revitalizing Toner

The Revitalizing Toner from Proactiv is ideal for balancing moisture and natural oils in your skin. It provides gentle exfoliation and helps remove dead cells from the skin, and clears the pores. The plant-based toner formula is enriched with chamomile and aloe extracts, witch hazel, allantoin, and panthenol. All these ingredients minimize irritation and stimulate skin cell regeneration. Dr. Marie Jhin, a California-based dermatologist, says, “I like this product for acne-prone skin.”

Suitable For: Acne-prone skin

Key Ingredients: Chamomile, Aloe vera, Witch hazel, Allantoin, and Panthenol

What Is A Face Toner?

A toner is a water-based product that gently nourishes, replenishes, and refreshes your skin without stripping its natural moisture. It is the second and integral part of the CTM (Cleansing-Toning-Moisturizing) routine. A toner is crucial to keeping your skin hydrated.
Nowadays, toners have skin type-specific formulas with a variety of nourishing ingredients to perform multiple duties. Check out the best face toners suggested by the dermatologist.

What Does A Facial Toner Do To Your Skin?

• Removes traces of dirt, grime, and impurities post-cleansing

• Removes excess oil and improves the appearance of pores

• Restores the skin’s pH balance. The skin’s pH is slightly acidic (around 5.5). Cleansers and soaps have an alkaline pH and may disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance. Licensed esthetician Jordanna Antonoff says, “The main benefit of skin toners is to balance the pH and oil production. Balancing the skin pH is incredibly important because it repairs signs of dryness, leading to increased hydration.”

• Some toners contain humectants and help to bind moisture to the skin.

• Tighten cell gaps after cleansing to protect your skin against impurities and environmental contaminants

• May facilitate better absorption of serums and other skincare products

Toners have customized formulas to address different skin issues. If hydration is your main concern, scroll down to check our list of the17 best face toners to get clear and hydrated skin.

Above are the best face toners that contain a variety of ingredients and are suitable for different skin types and issues. Before buying one, here are a few pointers to keep in mind.

How To Choose The Best Face Toners As Per Your Skin Type – Buying Guide

Picking the right toner is about two factors:

• Your skin type and issues
• Ingredients that will work for your skin type

Therefore, before buying a toner, always:

1. Determine Your Skin Type

Schneider

says, “Choose a toner customized to your particular skin type and concerns. For example, just like shampoos meant for straight hair will not work on curly hair, a toner for oily skin will not be effective on dry skin.” Therefore, always go for a toner developed to suit your skin type and issues. Look for dermatologically-approved products that are backed by reviewers.

2. Check The Ingredients

According to Schneider, “If you have oily skin, you will want a toner that is more drying to balance out your skin type. Look for formulations with salicylic acid, witch hazel, and AHAs. For dry, sensitive, or aging skin, choose hydrating formulas containing rose water, chamomile, aloe vera, cucumber juice, vitamin E, antioxidants, and avoid formulations with alcohol. These formulas moisturize, soothe, and retain the skin’s natural oils. Finally, if you have combination skin, look for a formulation that contains soothing ingredients like honeysuckle and aloe vera.”
If you are not using a toner yet, it is time you get one as per your skin type. If you have dry skin, we recommend the L’Oreal Paris.

HydraFresh Toner. And if you are looking for a soothing option, your skin will love the Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. This face toner works great for oily and sensitive skin and suits pretty much all skin types.

Frequently Answered Questions

Is it good to use toner on your face every day?

Yes, you can use a facial toner twice a day after cleansing your skin.

Is toner good for dry skin?

Yes. Toners are great, especially for dry skin. They help alleviate dehydrated skin without altering the skin’s natural moisture balance. They also get rid of redness and minimize irritation.

Do toners dry out the skin?

No. Hydrating toners do not dry out your skin. They gently rehydrate your skin without hampering its moisture levels.

Are there any side effects of using a toner?

Toner does not have any side effects unless they contain alcohol, which can be drying on your skin. They are safe to use for all skin types.

Can toner damage your skin?

Yes. Overusing alcohol-based toners can cause skin irritations. Hence it is always advisable to use mild water-based toners.

Does toner help with oily skin?

Yes. Toners can effectively work for oily skin. They curb excess oil production, reduce breakouts, and prevent the skin from drying out.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach and has reviewed hundreds of skin care products. She carefully selected these face toners after reviewing their user testimonials and feedback available on multiple forums and brand websites. The products listed in this post restore the skin’s pH level, improve skin texture and tone and tighten the pores to reduce the penetration of environmental contaminants into the skin.

---