13 best face toners for every skin type and concern, tried and tested by GLAMOUR editors
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn how we test.
Best refreshing face toner: La Roche-Posay SerozincLa Roche-Posay SerozincRead more
Best clarifying face toner: Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater TonerMario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater TonerRead more
Best pore-reducing toner: Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing TonerPaula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore Reducing TonerRead more
Moisturisers and serums often get all the praise for our glowy complexions, but it's the face toners that help all those skin-loving ingredients sink in even deeper, making them a must for every skin type.
Their ability to help with dullness and congestion is unmatched, courtesy of all the antioxidants and pore-refining actives such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and hydroxy acid. But despite the tongue-twisting components, let us assure you that today's face toners are nothing like the irritating concoctions we used to reach for in our teenage years.
Instead, today's innovative iterations are not only more effective at keeping our complexions balanced but they're also formulated to be more gentle on our skin to avoid disturbing our delicate skin barriers. Some even boast the same active ingredients you may spot in your go-to skincare staples (think vitamin C, BHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide).
The best early Black Friday deals — at a glance:
- Pixi Clarity Tonic, LookFantastic — WAS £10, NOW £8
- AMELIORATE Clarifying Facial Tonic, LookFantastic — WAS £15, NOW £7.50
- Perricone MD HP Face Finishing and Firming Toner, LookFantastic — WAS £40, NOW £20
Best face toners at a glance, reviewed:
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Regardless of your skin concerns – be it acne, pigmentation, sensitive or dehydrated skin – there's no shortage of formulas for you to choose from. For those of us with dry skin that's craving a moisture boost, some toners provide long-lasting hydration, largely due to the included ceramides, glycerin and squalane. Some have been expertly formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, featuring blends of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory botanicals to treat and protect your complexion.
In case you need a reminder of what they're actually supposed to do and how your "cleanse, tone and moisturise" routine can benefit from using them, we spoke to Alise Mihai, aesthetic skin practitioner at Skin+IQ Clinic, to answer all your burning FAQs. To help you pick the right toner that works for your specific skin type and preferences, we've put together a comprehensive guide on the very best formulas on the market right now.
How we tested the best face toners:
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team has trialled hundreds of toner formulas – from cult-favourite options like the Rhode Glazing Milk to the TikTok heroes like the REN AHA Tonic. When testing each formula, we've considered different factors to determine whether the product was genuinely worth recommending to you, dear reader. We made note of whether the toner resulted in any irritation, how it felt upon application and if we noticed any improvement in our skin after at least 4-6 weeks of use. Find out more about how we test here.
Prepare to rethink your skincare routine.
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Shop the best sunscreens for face, best eye creams, best hyaluronic acid serums as well as the best moisturisers and lotions.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Enter, our edit of the best toners for every skin type…
Tested by: Lian Brooks, GLAMOUR's Senior Audience Development Manager.
Why we love it: When it comes to building your dream skincare routine, it's always a good idea to consider Medik8, one of the best science-backed and board-certified dermatologist-approved brands around. And this facial toner is a prime example of just how high-quality the Medik8 range is. This 2% BHA tonic is great for delivering a visibly clarified and decongested skin. According to Medik8, results are noticeable in as little as 7 days.
Tested by: Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: It's hydrating, it's soothing and it's glow-giving, but let's be real, we expected nothing less from Hailey Bieber. “The Rhode Glazing Milk is genuinely my favourite product from the range. My dry skin soaked it right up, and the hydrated feel lasted for hours on end. It delivers an elite base for my moisturiser and my sunscreen, helping it absorb that much better,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Tested by: Mayola Fernandes, GLAMOUR's Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: This Pixi cult product needs no introduction. When it first launched, it would sell out daily for its ability to give skin an instant glow, thanks to acids that gently peel your skin, boost cell turnover and help reduce the look of fine lines. Not to mention, the price point is considerably fair, especially given all the glow-giving and clarifying benefits you get out of it.
Tested by: Neamh Randall, GLAMOUR's Commerce Photo Editor.
Why we love it: You've definitely seen this toner once or twice before. Packed with a blend of AHAs and BHAs, this exfoliating skin toner is designed to gently eat away at dead skin cells, clear out blackheads and unclog pores, leaving you with a radiant-looking glow. The best part? It's suitable for everyday use.“It gives you a natural glow while still being gentle on your skin. Perfect to use just before applying your foundation too, as it doesn’t dry your skin out and gives you a glow all day,” – Neamh Randall, Commerce Photo Editor.
- Claire Clifton Coles1/13
Best refreshing face toner: La Roche-Posay Serozinc
Why we love it: Formulated with oily and acne-prone skin types in mind, this innovative refreshing toner aims to reduce grease and mattify the skin in the process for the ultimate shine-free finish. Plus, it also comes in form of a spray, making the application that much more convenient. Did we mention that it's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic too?
- Claire Clifton Coles2/13
Best clarifying face toner: Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner
Why we love it: Glow-boosting? Check. Clarifying and pore-refining? Check aaand check. Not only is this cult-favourite Mario Badescu facial toner suitable for all skin types, but it's also great for balancing your sebum levels as well as brightening. Not to mention, the added rose petal extract, rose oil, antioxidants and aloe vera are great soothing and hydrating ingredients, which is great news for sensitive skin types. A win.
Save big when shopping for best face toners using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
- 3/13
Best pore-reducing toner: Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Why we love it: This lightweight toner will help to control oily skin, without stripping it of moisture. The combination of antioxidants and niacinamide will help to make oily areas less noticeable, while ensuring the skin stays soft and smooth. Definitely one worth adding to your wishlist.
- 4/13
Best face toner-moisturiser hybrid: LANEIGE Cream Skin Cerapeptide Toner and Moisturiser
Why we love it: Packed with the brand's proprietary cerapeptide blend, this cream/toner hybrid helps improve elasticity and strengthen your skin's natural barrier. Great for reducing redness and protecting your skin from UV damage while also providing a healthy boost in hydration, just like a top-tier moisturiser.
- 5/13
Best Korean toner: ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Why we love it: This soothing K-beauty toner is made with heartleaf extract, which helps clarify, hydrate and even out your skin tone while maintaining a healthy pH balance. Gentle and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone and combination skin.
- Claire Clifton Coles6/13
Best face toner for all skin types: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner
Why we love it: On the lookout for a refreshing face toner that's simple yet effective? Say no more. Featuring a pH-balanced and alcohol-free formula, the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner also helps prevent irritation and balance the skin ahead of your follow-up serums and moisturisers. “This contains avocado and apricot kernel oil to provide vitamin E and other amino acids, giving your skin the moisture it needs,” says Alise.
Enjoy extra savings when shopping for the best toners using these LookFantastic discount codes.
- Claire Clifton Coles7/13
Best face toner with glycolic acid: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Why we love it: Combatting dead skin cell build-up, dullness and congestion has never been more affordable. This pH-balanced glycolic acid toner is infused with tasmanian pepperberry, aloe vera and ginseng root to soothe and refine your complexion, giving it a radiant glow in the process.
- 8/13
Best face toner with poly hydroxy acid: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Why we love it: Powered by powerful acids as well as watermelon extract, this gentle face toner is perfect for decongesting and refining pores, leaving you with radiant skin. It's also full to the brim with hyaluronic acid for a pleasant hydrating effect.
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9/13Best face toner for sensitive skin: HaruHaru Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
Why we love it: If you're looking for a gentle toner that will replenish and soothe your sensitive skin, look no further. This K-beauty hero from HaruHaru is one of the best face toners around, thanks to its hydrating fragrance-free formula which is infused with black rice extract to help restore the skin's elasticity and help ensure lasting hydration.
What is a face toner and how can it benefit skin?
“The primary purpose of a toner is to remove any excess oil, dirt and impurities that may have been left on your skin after cleansing,” says Alise. It can also help to lift away any residue left behind by your cleanser. “This prepares skin for a much better serum or moisturiser absorption and it should also help to restore your skin's pH balance (which can be disrupted when cleansing).”
But because we love an opportunity to level-up our skincare steps, most toners come with additional benefits that can help skin. “You can now find a toner suitable for all kinds of skin types and many different individual needs,” says Alise. "You can find toners with various active ingredients incorporated to target different skin concerns." For instance, a toner with salicylic acid (such as Obaig's Pore Therapy) can help to calm spots and reduce the appearance of pores, a toner with exfoliating acids (such as Pixi's Glow Tonic) can help smooth and brighten skin and a toner with nourishing ingredients like honey and green tea that help to soothe sensitivity – all of which can help to improve your skin texture.
Who is a toner best for?
“A toner is particularly helpful if you have oily and acne prone skin,” says Alise, but anyone can benefit from one, especially if you choose one tailored to your skin concerns.
What is the correct way to apply toner?
“Apply it straight after cleansing as most people don’t know that active ingredients (like vitamin C, retinol and glycolic acids) in skincare products work better when applied onto moist skin,” says Alise. Then leave it to sink in before applying next steps like a serum and face cream.
A short history on toners
When toners first arrived on the skincare scene, they tended to be very harsh and packed with drying alcohol to reduce oil production. “Decades ago we used to wash our faces and bodies with lye-based soaps, which left residues on our skin, so toners were used to remove that excess scum,” explains Alise.
“They were first made with rosewater, however later alcohol was incorporated as it removed the residue much better. It was then also discovered that alcohol helped with spots due to its drying and antibacterial properties," Alise adds.
Toners were around long before they started gaining mass popularity in the 1980’s. Instead, they used to be called ‘skin tonics’ and ‘astringents’, which were usually quite harsh with perfumes, ammonia and alcohol. These products were advertised to help firm up facial muscles and featured harsh ingredients that had a short-lasting tightening effect and caused unwanted dryness. Thankfully, toners have come a long way since then.
