Find out the best toners available on the market for acne-prone, combination, oily skin, and aging skin. Browse the shortlist that our skincare experts and dermatologists have rounded up after trying over hundreds of the best brands on the market.
On the laundry list of skin care products you should have in your medicine cabinet, you’re probably aware that toner should be one of them. But if you’re not totally sure what toner really does and why it’s so important, in addition to your cleanser, moisturizer, masks, etc., you’re far from alone. Traditionally, toners were alcohol-containing solutions that were used to help remove excess oil from the skin; however, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, explains that this definition has changed in recent years. “The newest generation of toners are alcohol-free and may even contain high trading or anti-aging ingredients,” he says. “Additionally, many modern-day toners go by the name of essences or tonics, depending on the product.”
For those of you in a hurry, here is a sneak peek of our top 2 picks.
Top 2 – Editor’s PicksIf you’re in a rush, here’s our top pick for the best toners for all skin types in 2024. |
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#1 – Misumi Pore Purifying Toner
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Our #1 Choice
5.0 stars out of 5
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#2 – Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Hydrating Mist
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Our #2 Choice
4.0 stars out of 5
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If you’re someone with oily, acne-prone or combination skin, toner should most certainly be a staple in your skin care regimen. You might experience oiliness only in certain areas of your face, namely your T-zone, and toner makes it easy to address these areas without drying out other areas that are less oily and not in need of stripping. “People with oily skin should look for ingredients like salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that is soluble in oil and can help remove excess sebum from the face, as well as mandelic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almonds that has antimicrobial properties,” says Dr. Zeichner.
If you have combination skin, he recommends a toner that contains glycolic acid, which can help remove oil from the T-zone, but is also useful in dryer areas like the cheeks, Dr. Zeichner adds. “Oftentimes, toners combine multiple different alpha and beta hydroxy acids at lower concentrations, which allows them to be effective while minimizing potential irritation to the skin.”
For those with acne-prone skin, our dermatologists recommend finding a toner with natural astringents like Witch Hazel Extract. Witch Hazel has skin-boosting powers including oil-balancing and inflammation fighting property. It will help to reduce any redness and swelling and will also shrink and tighten pores, preventing future breakouts.
If you’re above twenty years of age and are interested in preventing premature signs of aging, pick a toner with Hyaluronic Acid. This miracle ingredient will help alleviate dry skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
If any of these skin types sounds like you, here are some of the best, dermatologist-approved toners on the market.
1. Misumi Pore Purifying Toner
All skin types can benefit from using this revitalizing toner, made with a combination of soothing herbs and natural ingredients, all of which nourish the skin and prepare it for further treatment. Misumi’s Pore Purifying Toner is by far the best toner available for acne-prone, oily, combination, and aging skin. It also contains Witch Hazel Extract, which helps to tighten pores, calm breakouts, redness, and swelling, while also preventing future breakouts.
It also contains a blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Sage, Lavender, Lemon Peel, Marigold, Hops, and more. Lavender extract can be very beneficial for acne-prone and oily skin due to its antibacterial and sebum-balancing properties. It also helps to even out skin tone. Lemon Peel lightens age spots, unwanted freckles and uneven skin tone. Sage removes excess oil production without drying the skin, and also helps with eczema and psoriasis.
When it comes to finding a ground-breaking toner with all the most advanced natural ingredients, we’ve got to hand it to Misumi’s Pore Purifying Toner. With premium quality ingredients at an affordable price, this toner easily beats tough competition and luxury skincare brands.
Pros
- High quality natural ingredients
- Amazing properties for acne-prone and oily skin
- Additional anti-aging benefits
- Helps reduce redness and even out skin tone
- 60 Day Money Back Guarantee
2. Eminence Organic Skin Care Stone Crop Hydrating Mist
This hydrating mist is created through the use of biodynamic farming, a traditional mechanism of farming that’s considered the next level up from organic—it’s essentially the truest method of growing ingredients and creating healthy products. It contains salicylic acid, which gently removes dirt and impurities from the skin, as well as mineral-rich spring water that softens and condition.
3. Obagi Obagi-C Rx System C-Balancing Toner
 Lily Talakoub, M.D., dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center, loves this toner because of its ability to balance the skin’s pH while simultaneously decreasing sun damage and hyperpigmentation, all thanks to its infusion of vitamin C. “It also ​contains witch hazel as an antibacterial and aloe​ vera to decrease inflammation,” she adds.
4. REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
This multitasking toner is designed to enhance your skin in almost every way possible, by reducing fine lines, acne, visible pores and dehydrated skin. The key ingredients are lactic acid. The former is a gentle AHA that stays on the surface of the skin and the latter helps promote a balanced skin tone and addresses unevenness.
5. Epionce Balancing Toner
Dr. Talakoub explains that this balancing toner is best for those with sensitive skin that’s also oily or combination since it is gentle and non-irritating. “It contains cucumber extract to help soothe the skin and reduce redness,” she says. It also contains marshmallow extract, which promotes cell regeneration and helps repair damaged skin.
6. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
This toner can be used on most skin types, including normal, oily and combination. It contains a blend of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, jojoba and ceramides to promote a calm, clear complexion while reducing redness and sensitivity.
7. Glytone Acne Clearing Toner
This salicylic acid–containing toner is great for clearing and exfoliating the skin, explains Dr. Jaliman. “It helps control oil production and unclog the pores, which can be especially beneficial during the summer months.” It’s also a great prep for the skin before you apply primer and foundation.
8. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Skin Toner
This toner also has salicylic acid, which is mild and instantly unclogs and tightens the pores. It’s also nice and gentle—the formula has been tolerance-tested, meaning you can use it without fear of irritation.
“This toner helps prevents acne breakouts and will also keep your skin smooth,” says Dr. Jaliman.
9. Murad Clarifying Toner
Say goodbye to excess oil once you apply this clarifying toner. It helps deep-clean the skin, removing impurities that are buried inside pores, prevents breakouts and helps tighten pores. It also keeps inflammation at bay, thanks to a combination of algae extract and allantoin.
10. SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner
This alcohol-free face-mist spray is ideal for those with acne-prone skin, since it gently exfoliates and soothes. “It has aloe and this will help with redness associated with acne-prone skin and the AHA will gently exfoliate the dead skin cells,” explains Debra Jaliman, M.D., board-certified NYC dermatologist, assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and author of Skin Rules. “It also has soothing chamomile extract and is oil-free and fragrance-free.”
Conclusion
It’s all too easy to neglect toner and skip over this important step, but incorporating an effective toner for is the way to ensure you’re doing everything possible to keep skin clean, balanced, and healthy.
Applying toner to the skin after cleansing is an essential step to treating and taking care of your skin. It can help to even out skin tone, reduce redness, clear acne, as well as fight off premature signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Depending on the ingredients, toners can also help control oily skin and keep your skin matte all day long.