The 24 best toners for every skin type, according to dermatologists

This toner with a recyclable bottle was launched in August 2021 and immediately got good reviews. The non-comedogenic formula harnesses the power of several AHAs to gently exfoliate and squalane to add hydration. If you have acne or struggle with clogged pores, the ROSE INC toner is ideal for you.

The goal of the Grown Alchemist toner is to make your skin glow by evening your skin tone and minimize the appearance of pores. It does this with vitamin C and ginseng, which is a powerful ingredient with antioxidant properties that balance oil. Ingredients like aloe, rose, and chamomile help soothe and soften the skin even more.

This classic formula from Thayers is primarily made with witch hazel, aloe, and rosewater. Witch hazel is especially good at soothing irritated and red skin — plus, it helps with acne. Aloe and rosewater help add moisture and soothe a bit more. This toner is good for everyone and best for those with sensitive skin struggling with acne. 

Witch hazel can be a bit harsh on the skin, so don't use this every day if you notice it drying your face out.

This toner is absolutely a splurge compared to others on this list. But as one fan says, you get what you pay for. The formula uses an AHA to remove skin impurities and uses pitera, which is a fermented ingredient rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that SK-II uniquely uses. It'll hydrate, clean, and boost your radiance.

If you ever need a boost of moisture during the day or a spritz of something refreshing, Heritage Store's Rosewater Toner might be the right product for you. A lot of toners on this list focus on gently exfoliating without stripping away too much moisture, but this toner is mostly focused on moisture. The rosewater and hyaluronic acid soothe and hydrate the skin, perfect as part of your daily skincare routine or refresh midday.

This toner is amazing for any skin type, but if you have acne-prone or oily skin, this Youth To The People toner is especially for you. It's formulated with mandelic acid, salicylic acid, and Polyhydroxy Acid (PHAs) that help gently exfoliate your skin, reduce breakouts, and promote cell turnover. Fans love that its scent is faint but pleasant.

This vegan toner has some unique ingredients, like caviar lime extract, which is the name of a special type of oblong-shaped lime that's also a source of softly exfoliating AHAs. It's also infused with squalane, a fantastic hydration ingredient. People who use this toner religiously especially like how it reduces the appearance of their pores and makes their skin glow.

Glossier is known for its minimalistic and quality makeup products. The toning solution is no different. It dispenses out of a clever bottle that you push down to pump out (instead of simply pouring it out), and the formula is made with AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs. All in all, these help balance oily skin, minimize the appearance of blemishes, and soothe redness. Some customers even found it helped their stubborn blackheads be gone.

Cocokind's rosewater-based toner is a two-in-one. It's made with 98% rosewater, which means it's very light on the skin and hydrating. It can also be used to prime or set makeup, especially if you struggle with dryness. Spray bottle packaging makes this one easy and quick to apply; no cotton rounds are needed.

This toner is all about hydration. Fresh's toner uses hyaluronic acid and numerous rose ingredients — including rosewater, rose oil, and real rose petals in the bottle — to hydrate and soothe skin. Plus, its rich rose smell is unmatched.

The Ordinary's Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is especially good for people facing dullness, uneven texture, and acne scarring. The formula simultaneously exfoliates with glycolic acid and soothes via ingredients like aloe and Tasmanian Pepperberry Derivative. Some users recommend starting slowly to ensure the glycolic acid doesn't cause irritation. 

Dr. David also notes that this toner is not ideal for daily use if you use a strong retinoid. She uses it twice a week.

Neutrogena's Alcohol-Free Facial Toner is best as a general toner that cleanses skin without drying it. The oil and alcohol-free formula is recommended for normal skin.

Mario Badescu offers a wide range of toners, and its Witch Hazel & Rose Water Toner is a customer favorite. It's made to remove impurities while keeping the skin's moisture barrier protected. The brand's anti-inflammatory Witch Hazel & Lavender Toner is another favorite.

K-beauty brand Innisfree offers a selection of toners including their Balancing toner, which champions green tea extract to hydrate and balance oil levels. Its antioxidant-rich blueberry toner is another great option.

Laneige's toner is actually a two-in-one product. The creamy formula works like a regular toner while also functioning as a moisturizer, restoring the skin's natural barrier. It's best for normal and dry skin.

Glow Recipe's toner is all about hydration and minimizing the appearance of pores. The toner is made with pore-clearing BHAs and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Fans say this toner is hydrating and lightweight but not at all sticky. With ingredients like watermelon extract and cactus water, it also has a pleasant, fruity smell.

The Fat Water Toner from Rihanna's Fenty Skincare line is a two-in-one product. It's also a serum. Made with niacinamide, Barbados Cherry, and witch hazel, this formula works against dark spots, brightens, and reduces the look of pores. 

Sustainability bonus: This formula is thick enough to apply with your hands, so you don't have to use cotton rounds or tissue.

Farmacy's Deep Sweep is made with a mix of salicylic acid, papaya enzymes, and moringa extract that effectively cleans pores while controlling oil. It's best for oily and combination skin.

Niacinamide has a variety of skincare benefits which the Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner wields to brighten dull skin and manage unevenness. The formula's pH of 6.2 is conveniently included on the label.

Read more about why pH matters in skincare products. 

This fragrance-free toner is for those concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, dryness, and dullness. Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner uses hyaluronic acid, evening primrose oil for hydration, and linolenic acids to minimize dullness.

Other Paula's Choice toners are also well-known for doing what they say. Check out the Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner that protects against environmental damage (like the sun) and the Pore-Reducing Toner that makes pores look smaller by making oily areas less noticeable.

First Aid Beauty's fragrance-free toner is all about soothing and restoring hydration. Best for all skin types, this toner is powered by oats, which can help restore your skin's moisture barrier with ceramides.

This toner by Kiehl's targets dryness and uneven texture with almond milk and Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA), which gently removes dead skin like a chemical peel.

Alternatively, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner ($24) is a more general toner that's much more affordable and targets dry, rough, and irritated skin. Customers with sensitive skin especially encourage trying this one out.

Unlike most toners, Ambi's toner comes in a spray bottle, which allows spraying or applying the solution with a cotton pad. Especially helpful for reducing acne and breakouts, the Even & Clear Intense Clarifying Toner is made with salicylic acid and soothing agents like green tea extract.

Known for their ridiculously good-smelling bath bombs and lotions, Lush also offers a few toners. Its Tea Tree Water Toner is made to rejuvenate oily, dull, and tired skin with a mix of tea tree water, grapefruit extract, and juniper berry water.

Ingredients to look for in a toner

There are some key ingredients to look for in your toner, especially acids, which often serve as gentle exfoliants. These can be superstar ingredients and serve many different but very helpful purposes.

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are great for brightening and exfoliating skin. These include glycolic and lactic acids as well as citric, mandelic, and malic acids.
• Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid, are ideal for controlling oil on acne-prone skin. These trap and wash away excess sebum.
• Hyaluronic acid is a helpful ingredient if you're looking to boost hydration. Additionally, rosewater, glycerin, and vitamin E are also common hydrating ingredients.

Ingredients to avoid in a toner

"Historically, toners were formulated with alcohol and other astringents which dried and irritated the skin, so they fell out of favor for a while," Dr. David says. Today, most toners do not contain alcohol and are much gentler on the skin. However, like all skincare products, finding the right toner is a matter of testing different formulas to see which one is right for you.

If you see a toner with alcohol on the ingredient list, be cautious.