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Say goodbye to the dehydrating astringents of your teens — face toners have come a long way since those skin-stripping formulas of yore. Today's toners are packed with skin-boosting ingredients — including hydrators like glycerin and exfoliators like glycolic acid — that will leave your skin glowing.
Many of these new non-drying toners (also often labeled as facial essences, tonics or waters) are recommended by dermatologists for all skin types and complexion issues, including acne. "These versions contain treatment ingredients similar to face serums and facial moisturizers, so they’re gentler,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
But what exactly do toners do? An effective toner will help ensure your skin is totally clean and free of impurities, plus give it an extra dose of active ingredients. After cleansing your face, apply toner using your fingers or a cotton ball before smoothing on other leave-on skin treatments. "The goal of a toner is to remove any excess residue from cleansing and prep the skin for skincare products," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek.
To find the best toner for your skin type and concerns, browse our picks, which are researched, vetted and recommended by GH Institute Beauty Lab scientists, who have decades of experience evaluating and testing all types of skincare products.
The Best Toners for Oily Skin | The Best Toners for Combination Skin | The Best Toners for Dry Skin | The Best Toners for Acne-Prone Skin | The Best Toners for Sensitive Skin
Pros
- Gently exfoliates skin while also hydrating
- Great for virtually all skin types
- Formulated without alcohol
Cons
- Glycolic acid has the potential to irritate sensitive skin
Pixi's cult-classic exfoliating toner has become a go-to for our analysts in the GH Beauty Lab. That's because this does-it-all pick works to address multiple skin concerns, making it especially great for those with combination skin. "It contains oil-nixing astringents, soothing aloe, exfoliating glycolic acid and moisturizing humectants, which are all effective ingredients in a toner," Wnek says.
"It smells great and noticeably makes my skin glow in the morning when I apply it before bed." While our product testing experts haven't noted any drawbacks of using this alcohol-free formulation, it does contain 5% glycolic acid and acids in skincare products can bring the risk of reactions for those with sensitive skin, so proceed with caution if that's you.
Main Benefits: | Exfoliating, radiance-boosting |
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Key Ingredients: | Glycolic acid, witch hazel, aloe vera |
Size: | 4.2 oz. |
Pros
- 20K+ five-star reviews on Amazon
- Clarifies skin and pores
- Formulated without alcohol
Cons
- Not ideal for those with dry skin
A drugstore bargain at only 49 cents per ounce, Dickinson's toner is a GH Beauty Lab expert favorite, not to mention incredibly popular with consumers (it has over 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon!).
Made with only one ingredient, distilled witch hazel, this astringent has been part of Wnek's skincare routine since she was a teen, thanks to its purifying and pore minimizing benefits for her oily skin. Just take note that because it only contains witch hazel, it may not provide enough hydrating and softening effects for dry skin types.
Main Benefits: | Purifying, pore minimizing |
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Key Ingredient: | Witch hazel |
Size: | 16 oz. |
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Pros
- Potent formula minimizes oil
- Pleasant scent
- Easy-to-use spray
Cons
- Not ideal for those with very dry or sensitive skin
If you have oily skin, using a toner with astringents like witch hazel can help clarify and minimize shine. To combat a greasy complexion, try this toner spray made with oil-reducing witch hazel and willow bark (a form of salicylic acid), plus jasmine water for a subtle floral, not medicinal, scent that GH's beauty director loves.
Meanwhile, antioxidant-loaded green tea extract helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and won't leave your skin feeling stripped after use. "It immediately makes my face feel less oily," one of our testers raved. Just note that the glass bottle makes it difficult to take on the go, so it's not ideal for travel.
Main Benefits: | Purifying, oil-reducing |
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Key Ingredients: | Witch hazel, willow bark |
Size | 4 oz. |
Pros
- Minimizes inflammation
- Contains strong acne treatment ingredients
Cons
- Could irritate those sensitive to acids
For acne-prone skin, Wnek recommends seeking out toners that contain salicylic acid and looking for a label that lists drug facts, as acne reduction is regulated as a drug claim, according to the FDA.
You can tackle both breakouts and facial redness at once with this exfoliating toner. "It absorbs quickly, reducing the appearance of redness and pores," Wnek says. "It also contains salicylic acid to fight acne, so checks off many boxes for my unique skin." But because it contains acids, note that this liquid could be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
Main Benefits: | Redness-reducing, acne-fighting |
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Key Ingredients: | Salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid |
Size: | 4 oz. |
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Pros
- Contains powerful pore-clearing ingredients
- Bargain price
Cons
- May be drying or irritating for dry and sensitive skin
Infused with the skin-clearing active ingredient salicylic acid plus astringent witch hazel and alcohol, this Bioré toner helps dissolve oil and prevent clogged complexions and enlarged pores. It also has over 11,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. "It made my blackheads disappear!" one online reviewer raved. That said, you may want to steer clear of this pick if you have a dry or sensitive complexion as its combination of acid, astringent and alcohol combination could irritate or dehydrate your skin.
Main Benefits: | Oil-reducing, pore clarifying |
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Key Ingredients: | Salicylic acid, witch hazel |
Size: | 8 oz. |
Pros
- Softens skin
- Rose water and oil are non-drying
Cons
- Not ideal for acne-prone skin
Yes, toners can be useful for people with dry skin! Just look for moisturizing ingredients on product labels, like glycerin, aloe vera and rose water, and steer clear of any with drying ingredients like alcohol and salicylic acid.
Fresh's nourishing treatment toner, made with glycerin, rose flower water and oil, proves that not all toners strip skin and leave it dehydrated. This all-in-one formula works to remove impurities and soften skin. "My parched skin drinks this right up and it feels really quenching," says one of our testers. "Plus, I love that you can see the real rose petals floating inside — so luxurious." Note that this toner isn't an astringent, so it will not provide the clarifying benefits that may be needed for oily or acne-prone skin.
Main Benefits: | Softening, soothing |
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Key Ingredients: | Rose extracts, hyaluronic acid |
Size: | 8.4 oz. |
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Pros
- Lightweight
- Ingredients work to balance skin
- Refreshing and softening
Cons
- Expensive
If you have combination skin, you'll want a toner that's alcohol-free, since alcohol can strip the skin and leave it dry. This formula from BioEffect is made without alcohol, oil or scent, making it ideal for balancing combination skin with both dry and oily areas.
“I wasn’t an essence user until this came along — it contains the same potent growth factors found in the brand's top-performing serums,” says GH Institute Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. “It refreshes and hydrates skin at the same time, especially in the summer when I don’t need heavy moisturization."
Main Benefits: | Softening, refreshing |
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Key Ingredients: | Epidermal growth factor, citric acid |
Size: | 3.38 oz. |
Pros
- Contains brightening ingredients
- Leaves skin dewy
Cons
- Oily skin types may prefer something less hydrating
The ingredients in HydroPeptide's toner essence sound like a refreshing smoothie: skin-smoothing coconut water, balancing probiotics and a laundry list of vibrancy-boosting antioxidants and fruit extracts, from lemon to orange and grapefruit. “I dispense some with the convenient pump, then splash it directly onto my face,” says Aral. “It gives my skin a glistening finish and feels refreshing.”
Main Benefits: | Glow-boosting, refreshing |
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Key Ingredient: | Probiotics |
Size: | 4 oz. |
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Pros
- Minimizes appearance of pores
- Increases radiance
Cons
- Fruity scent is polarizing
Inspired by Korean beauty, Glow Recipe is a skincare brand that has gained a cult following. Its popular Watermelon Glow toner is made with salicylic acid and a long list of botanical extracts. "This toner managed to boost radiance, reduce the look of my pores and keep my breakouts to a minimum," one online reviewer raved. But if strong fragrances turn you off, note that some users say they don't like this product's strong sweet, fruity fragrance.
Main Benefits: | Exfoliating, radiance-boosting |
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Key Ingredient: | Salicylic acid |
Size: | 5.07 oz |
Pros
- Exfoliates skin to brighten
- Natural scent
Cons
- Glass bottle not portable
Even out skin tone with Caudalie's essence toner, made with exfoliating, brightening glycolic and citric acids, plus nourishing glycerin and grape and orange flower waters. A favorite among GH's beauty editors, it's also earned rave reviews online. "After one week, my dark spots vanished," one reviewer marveled. Note that the large glass bottle isn't portable for taking on the go.
Main Benefits: | Exfoliating, brightening |
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Key Ingredients: | Glycolic and citric acids |
Size: | 5 oz. |
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Pros
- Contains powerful exfoliating ingredients
- Makes pores less visible
Cons
- May be dehydrating for dry skin
GlamGlow's toner solution is packed with exfoliating and blemish-fighting actives like glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids to remove dead skin cells, plus astringent witch hazel to keep your skin smooth and breakout-free. “It’s really helpful if I’m breaking out, as it cleans out my pores, curbs blemishes and helps clarify,” said one of our testers. “It's also fun to use — it’s an emulsion formula so you shake it to activate, and it looks shimmery and pretty.” Take heed that the high levels of acids and astringents in this toner may be too drying for dry or sensitive skin, though.
Main Benefits: | Acne-fighting, pore-clearing |
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Key Ingredients: | Glycolic and salicylic acids |
Size: | 7 oz. |
Pros
- Soothes skin
- Contains natural ingredients
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Not astringent for oily or acne-prone skin
If you have sensitive skin, you know the wrong product can result in irritated or inflamed skin — and that includes using a toner containing harsh astringents or alcohol. That means you're going to want a toner that features gentle ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe vera or rose water. L'Occitane's alcohol-free toner water is infused with soothing botanicals like helichrysum (a.k.a. immortelle) extract, rose water and sunflower seed oil to tamp down on redness and calm skin.
When one of our beauty editors uses this, she says her face feels instantly cooled and calm. Plus, it smells herbal and warm, like immortelle flowers dried in the Corsican sun, where the ingredient is harvested. This formula doesn't contain astringent ingredients, so may not be as effective for those with oily or acne-prone skin who are looking to minimize oil.
Main Benefit: | Calming |
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Key Ingredients: | Botanical oils and waters, hyaluronic acid |
Size: | 6.7 oz. |
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Pros
- Plumps dry skin
- Contains softening ingredients
Cons
- Doesn't contain purifying or acne-fighting ingredients
Another GH beauty editor favorite for dry complexions, Yves Saint Laurent's essence is formulated with nourishing ingredients like vitamins E and B3. "This toner is more viscous than other more liquidy formulas, so it feels cushiony going on dehydrated skin and leaves it feeling fresh and plump," one GH beauty editor notes. The liquid is made without acne-fighting or astringent ingredients, so it may not be suitable for oily or acne-prone skin.
Main Benefits: | Softening, plumping |
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Key Ingredients: | Vitamin E and B3 |
Size: | 3.4 oz. |
Pros
- Creamy liquid formula calms redness
- Gentle
Cons
- Not made for acne-prone skin
Calm red areas with this creamy toner, which is infused with soothing allantoin and panthenol. "Even after the first use, there was a noticeable reduction in redness in my face, and my complexion was much better," notes GH beauty assistant Catharine Malzahn. "It truly is calming and I feel like it balanced my oil production really well." Though this formula can help with excess oil, it doesn't contain acne-fighting ingredients for those with breakouts.
Main Benefits: | Soothing, redness reduction |
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Key Ingredients: | Panthenol, allantoin |
Size: | 4 oz. |
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Pros
- Firming and wrinkle-reducing results backed by clinical studies
- Non-drying gel formula
- Can double as a serum
Cons
- Very expensive
- Glass bottle not as portable
Yes, it's a serious splurge, but La Prairie's unique gel-like liquid is ideal for very dry or aging skin. The luxury formulation, housed in an artful glass dropper bottle, features the brand's signature caviar extract to tighten, plump and smooth skin. A clinical study using ultrasound measurements found a 58% increase in the thickness of the innermost layer of skin and a measurable increase in skin volume.
High-resolution, 3D skin imaging also showed an 11% reduction in wrinkles. After application, "my face felt firmer and more lifted," one of our testers noted. The downside? Apart from the price, the glass bottle is not as portable for travel and it contains a smaller amount of product than most toners we've reviewed.
Main Benefits: | Firming, wrinkle smoothing, plumping |
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Key Ingredient: | Caviar extract |
Size: | 0.68 oz. |
Do face toners actually work?
Yes, toners do work to purify and soften skin, deliver active skincare ingredients to your face and prep skin for additional leave-on skincare treatment products. While toners may feel like a skippable step in your skincare routine, you may want to consider using one if you're looking for additional skincare treatment benefits, or you want to swap out heavier serums and creams for a lighter complexion-boosting liquid if you have oily or acne-prone skin, or in warmer months or climates. For best results, apply a skin toner once or twice per day, in the morning and/or evening as needed.
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How we chose the best face toners
This list is composed of recommendations from GH Beauty Lab scientists and experts who have a range of skin types and rigorously test hundreds of skincare product formulas each year, including toners and other skincare liquids like essences, tonics, waters, solutions and liquid lotions. When testing toners, we evaluate products on factors such as ease of use (including application and scent) and the look and feel of skin after use, both immediately and over time.
We've combined the results of the toners our editors and experts have tried in recent years with the recommendations of board-certified dermatologists as well as our own research to compile this list of the best toners you can buy.
What to look for when shopping for the best face toner
It may take a little trial and error to find which kind of toner you like best. Toners can make many claims, such as removing oil, tightening pores, restoring skin's pH balance and cleaning pores deeply. But before you buy any old toner, you should consider your current skincare regimen and skin type, as well as the strengths of the ingredients in the product. Our advice: When shopping for a toner, look for formulations tailored to your complexion type or primary skin concern or goal. Here are Wnek's suggestions:
✔️ For oily or acne-prone skin or to minimize pores, look for astringents, such as alcohols or witch hazel, that tighten skin. An astringent is a toner formula that's made with ingredients like alcohol that help remove excess oil from the skin.
✔️ For combination skin, to exfoliate or reduce hyperpigmentation, scan the label for hydroxy acids, including salicylic acid and lactic acid, which increase cell turnover and make your skin glow.
✔️ For dry skin or sensitive skin, opt for soothing, hydrating ingredients and humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid to hydrate without irritation. If you have extremely sensitive skin, you may want to opt for toner made without alcohol, a potential irritant.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This article was written by GH Beauty Director April Franzino, who has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing skincare content, utilizing the expertise of Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals, including dermatologists and aestheticians.
For this story, she interviewed several dermatologists and worked with Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Beauty Lab, in order to explain the benefits of face toners and recommend the best products for all skin types.
Wnek has a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University, an M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with a concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati and a decade of experience in the personal care industry that includes formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing. For over seven years, she has been testing skincare products in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, including eye creams, serums, and facial oils. She has experience using specialized lab equipment that gauges changes in levels of skin moisturization, firmness and texture before and after product use.
April Franzino
Beauty Director
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.