The 15 Best Toners for Every Skin Type, Tested & Dermatologist Approved

Best Overall

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

$12 at Sephora View on Tower28beauty.com View on Credo Beauty

Key Ingredients: Hypochlorous acid | Benefits: Calms skin irritation | Size: 4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tower28 is known for its sensitive skin-friendly makeup and skincare formulas but this toner—which comes housed in a firetruck red spray bottle—is also wildly popular for its magical ability to soothe, purify, and repair stressed-out skin. It has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, so it’s been proven to make a difference in eczema flare-ups, but it also works to calm inflamed acne and perioral dermatitis.

Hypochlorous acid—the star ingredient—is why the formula is so effective at pacifying redness and irritation. Like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, hypochlorous acid is made naturally by our body’s white blood cells because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. So when applied to the skin, it also fends off bacteria and promotes skin healing. We appreciate that this toner comes in a spray bottle, which ensures that there’s no mess or spillage and allows us to spray it right on our face or onto a cotton pad. However, we do wish the face mist was a bit more fine. The toner is watery and lightweight, though, and it soaks into the skin within seconds. Once absorbed, we felt our skin was more hydrated, glowy, and fresh after use.

Best Splurge

SK-II Clear Lotion Skin Toner

$80 at Sephora $80 at Saks Fifth Avenue View on Shopbop.com

Key ingredients: Pitera (Vitamins, acids, minerals), AHAs, glycerin, salicylic, lactic, and malic acids | Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating | Size: 5.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

The superstar component of the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner is Pitera, a signature ingredient containing 50 micro-nutrients. These micro-nutrients, in addition to alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), work to improve the overall appearance of your skin—starting with uneven skin texture. We can attest to that; in our testing, the toner felt hydrating and soothing upon application and helped improve dullness and texture immediately. We were also impressed by the toner’s ability to clean our pores thoroughly. Even though we washed our face before using the toner, we noticed that it picked up extra dirt and grime that otherwise would have remained on her face.

The clear, lightweight solution is slightly runny and comes out of a small opening at the top of the frosted bottle, so be aware that if you aren’t careful, you can potentially pour too much product out of the opening.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Clarifying Toner

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, butylene glycol | Benefits: Tightens pores, regulates oil production | Size: 6 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A toner can be an invaluable tool in your battle against blemishes if you choose one that targets excess oil and keeps your pores clear without over-drying your skin (which ironically ends up triggering more oil and more breakouts). Enter this toner: it relies on witch hazel and algae extracts to regulate oil production and tighten pores. It’s a pairing that helps to refresh skin, purify pores, and fight oil. Plus, with the addition of vitamin E, you can also expect protection from free radical damage.

We loved the consistency since it's so lightweight it feels like water. It’s also not too greasy, making it ideal for a midday refresh or post-cleanse blot. It felt tingling and refreshing on our skin, and we noticed an improvement in the appearance of pores almost immediately. Just keep in mind that while you’ll feel it working (witch hazel has a subtle tightening effect), if you already have dry skin, you might find this one a little too drying.

Best for Redness

Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner

$22 at Amazon $22 at Innisfree.com

Key Ingredients: Panthenol, hyaluronic acid, green tea tri-biotics | Benefits: Calming, soothes redness | Size: 6.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties, green tea can help reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling, making it a great option for those looking to calm down angry red skin. Innisfree’s Green Tea Facial Toner captures the balancing powers of green tea leaves in a liquid formula that feels extremely light and gentle on the skin. When we tested it in The Lab, we found that the toner sank into our pores immediately after application and made a huge difference in the appearance of hormonal acne breakouts. We also found that any redness was visibly reduced and even noticed that a budding pimple decreased significantly. All in all, we found that the product single-handedly reduced the look of her acne in about three minutes.

With so much to love, there is one con: The toner comes out of the bottle really slowly. Normally, that would be a good thing, but we found we had to use quite a bit of muscle to get it out of the bottle thanks to its small dispenser head.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Soothing Toner

$40 at Reneerouleau.com

Key ingredients: Elderberry fruit extract, sodium PCA, biosaccharide gum-1 | Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, soothing | Size: 6 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you hate the feeling of tight, dry skin post-cleanse, you’ll love this toner from Renee Rouleau. Designed to be used after cleansing, the antioxidant-rich elderberry toner helps balance and relax super-sensitive skin. When we tested it, we found that it helped prevent that too-tight-to-move feeling after washing our face, instead giving our skin a more relaxed, healthy glow. We also noticed that it reduced the appearance of hyperpigmentation and appreciated that because it only has a few ingredients, it’s a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin prone to breakouts and dryness. It’s also loaded with anti-aging benefits.

However, though the toner helps nourish skin that feels tight and irritated, we wish it was a little more hydrating and locked in moisture a bit more. It is alcohol-free though, which is great for those with dry skin since alcohol can be super drying.

Best for Oily Skin

Farmacy Deep Sweep Toner

$34 at Amazon $17 at Sephora View on Farmacybeauty.com

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, papaya enzymes | Benefits: Exfoliation, unclogs pores, minimizes shine, Refreshes | Size: 4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The right toner can go a long way to control excess shine for those with oily skin types, and this one fits the bill. It combines oil-dissolving salicylic acid, exfoliating papaya enzyme, and purifying moringa seed extract to unclog pores and refresh greasy skin. In addition, chlorella (a natural ingredient rich in antioxidants) helps nourish and soothe the skin to prevent irritation and overdrying. We loved how lightweight and comfortable the formula felt on our skin. We also appreciated that although it contains exfoliating ingredients and effectively increases cell turnover, it does so sans tingling or stinging sensation on the skin. Remember that since the toner contains active exfoliants, you may want to skip it on days when you’ll be applying retinoids and other active ingredients to avoid overdoing it (i.e., redness, burning, and dehydrating the skin).

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Freck Beauty Cactus Water Lactic Acid Toner

$32 at Sephora View on Freckbeauty.com View on Beautybay.com

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, cactus flower extract, kelp extract | Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating, calming | Size: 6.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dark marks from sun damage, genes, hormones, and acne scarring are no match for a toner with exfoliating and anti-inflammatory properties. With a powerhouse pairing of discoloration-minimizing lactic acid, hydrating cactus flower extract, and antioxidant-rich kelp extract, this toner from Freck Beauty addresses hyperpigmentation from every angle. We loved that the consistency feels like micellar water—meaning it's not heavy or sticky—and absorbs quickly into the skin. We found that it worked to subtly smooth skin texture, too. Also nice: It layered beautifully with the skincare and makeup we applied on top.

Because the packaging is glass that resembles a perfume bottle more than a toner, you can’t exactly squeeze anything out. You must gently (and steadily) pour the bottle into your hand or onto a cotton pad in small amounts, or else you’ll risk spilling some.

Best for Various Skin Types

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Toner

$27 at Sephora $27 at Ulta $48 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Rose fruit extract, rosewater, angelica leaf extract, hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Toning, soothing, nourishing, moisturizing | Size: 8.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

For skin that feels hydrated, smooth, and refreshed, look to the Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner. While some toners are loaded with ingredients that exfoliate and increase cell turnover, this one gives the skin a boost of moisture instead. Formulated with water and hyaluronic acid (two ingredients known to boost hydration and nourish skin), those with normal, dry, combination, and oily skin will benefit tenfold from adding the dreamy formula to their routine.

We enjoyed that it made our skin feel calm and hydrated and appreciated that it didn't create a stinging sensation like some toners do. It's great for sweeping on when you want some additional cleansing and moisture. The 8.4 fl. oz. bottle is available for nearly 50 dollars, which some might find expensive, especially because it doesn't have potent active ingredients. But, given the size, you can expect it to last a while (especially compared to some options on this list).

Best Moisturizing Formula

LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

$16 at Amazon $6 at Sephora $16 at Laneige.com

Key Ingredients: White leaf tea water | Benefits: Strengthens moisture barrier, soothes | Size: 5.0 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have skin that’s in need of some extra moisture, consider this milky formula from Laneige. As the name suggests, the K-beauty product has a creamy, lightweight moisturizer-like consistency that hydrates on contact with the skin. “Smooth,” “airy,”  and “super gentle” are three words that came to mind when we tested this toner, and we could feel the moisturizing effects of the product right away. We also found our skin was so much more hydrated after use, giving us a radiant, glowing finish. Plus, the white leaf tea water (aka one of the soothing ingredients in the formula) even helped tone down any redness and irritation we had. 

Just beware that because it’s on the thicker side and has a milky texture, some people (especially those with oily, acne-prone skin) might find it to be too heavy.

Best Soothing Formula

Fenty Beauty Fat Water Toner Essence

$35 at Sephora $34 at Fentybeauty.com

Key Ingredients: Tamarind, hyaluronic acid, mineral PCAs, panthenol | Benefits: Moisturizing, soothing, hydrating | Size: 5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

As seen on TikTok (and evidenced by our test), the Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence from Fenty Beauty is totally worth the hype. Between the innovative bottle (product dispenses from a twist top) and super milky consistency, there’s no wonder people are obsessed with this product. During testing, we enjoyed that the lightweight formula absorbs in 30 seconds, offering a feeling comparable to nice drink of water for the skin.

Since nothing is perfect, there’s one thing we wish we could change: The smell. While it’s not scented, it does still have a subtle smell to it that we weren’t really a fan of. If you can get past that, though, it’s totally worth every penny.

Best Refreshing Formula

Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora View on Belifusa.com

Key Ingredients: Honeysuckle, baobab, sodium hyaluronate | Benefits: Soothes, moisturizes, hydrates | Size: 6.75 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Packed with all kinds of good-for-you ingredients, such as soothing honeysuckle, baobab (which helps lock in moisture), and sodium hyaluronate (helps keep skin hydrated), this formula doesn’t mess around when it comes to calming the skin. We were impressed by the feel, which can only be described as "refreshing." Before using the toner, we felt like our skin was tight and dry, but it really helped reverse that feeling, making us feel like our skin sprang back to life. Not only was our skin more hydrated and calm, but it was glowy and more even-toned.

Though we had a really positive experience with the toner, be sure to patch-test the formula before applying it to your face. Because the formula contains alcohol denat, a popular cosmetic ingredient known to be drying, you should apply a bit to the inside of your wrist to ensure you won’t have a reaction.

Best Exfoliating Formula

SKKN by Kim Toner

View on Skknbykim.com

Key ingredients: Fruit enzymes, witch hazel, niacinamide, salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliating, hydrating | Size: 6 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Kim Kardashian knows a thing or two about good skin. While she definitely calls upon the help of pro estheticians and dermatologists from time to time, her skincare line helps set her skin up for success. The SKKN by Kim Toner is perhaps one of the most popular products in the product range because of how effective it is (and how aesthetic it looks in any vanity). Developed with fruit enzymes, witch hazel, niacinamide, and salicylic acid, the toner doubles down on exfoliation and produces an all-over glow. We can attest to that. When we tested it, we felt like our skin felt significantly more hydrated and that we could tell an immediate difference in the areas where we did not apply the toner compared to the ones where we did.

Although we didn't find it to be drying, it's worth noting that some online reviewers felt it was stripping. If you have dry or sensitive skin, keep this in mind.

Best Balancing Formula

Holifrog Utopia Microflora Toner

View on Holifrog.com

Key Ingredients: Aloe, jojoba seed oil, apple cider vinegar | Benefits: Calms skin, fights bacteria | Size: 4.05 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When some people think of toners, a pore-stripping, overly-drying product often comes to mind. However, this is far from the truth—especially as it pertains to Holifrog’s Utopia Microflora Toner. The surface of the skin is covered in bacteria (some good, some bad), and skincare helps to manage the balance. When it’s out of whack, breakouts, dullness, and other unwanted concerns pop up. This post-cleanse toning solution gives your skin a gentle but effective dose of probiotics for the face (we're talking apple cider vinegar and aloe). The result: Happy, balanced, calm skin. After applying the toner with a cotton pad, we found that our skin was more hydrated and felt firmer but still soft. We also noticed that it helped to visibly reduce redness and give the skin an overall more even appearance.

The only caveat we have with this product is the pump. Because it’s watery in nature and the top can sometimes deposit too much, try to be as gentle as possible when using the pump to avoid spillage.

Best Cruelty-Free Formula

Absolute Joi Balancing PH Skin Toner

$39 at Amazon $39 at Thirteenlune.com

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, oat kernel extract | Benefits: Balancing, calming, hydrating | Size: 6.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those who seek out cruelty-free brands and formulas will love the Absolute Joi Balancing PH Skin Toner with Aloe. As the name suggests, it’s primarily formulated with aloe vera leaf juice and, therefore, has a jelly-like consistency. You can expect it to go on a little thick, but rest assured that it feels light and hydrating on the skin. Though it took a minute or two to dry (instead of seeping right into pores), we found that dry patches felt more hydrated, and the toner even imparted a subtle glow after applying it. Since it is on the thicker side, be aware that some residue may be left on the skin's surface, but since it’s super hydrating and soothing, we’re willing to overlook that.

Best Pads

Mediheal Watermide Moisture Pad

View on Medihealus.com

Key Ingredients: Botanical extracts, Icelandic glacier water | Skin Type: All | Size: 100 wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

These hydrating toner pads have gone viral on TikTok in recent weeks, so we had to see what the hype was about. Formulated with botanical extracts, rosemary leaf oil, allantoin, and Icelandic glacier water, these K-beauty essence pads go to work on dull, dehydrated skin in one (or two) swipes. When we tested the product on our own skin, we loved that it could be used in a couple of ways: quick, all-over treatment and targeted spot treatment. For the latter, we found that it worked well when applying it to one specific area—similar to an acne spot treatment—and left it on for 15 minutes. However, if you prefer applying it as quick, all-over treatment, (similar to the other toners on this list), you can just sweep a toner pad across your skin before following up with the rest of your skincare.

Read Full Review: I Tried the TikTok-Viral Mediheal Moisture Pads—And They Revived My Tired Skin in 2 Weeks