After cleansing with your face wash of choice [1], toners can help get the very last bit of makeup (or any other impurities like pollution and dirt) off your skin. It really only takes looking at a cotton pad postswipe and seeing leftover grime still there to be sold. Toners also help clarify [2] and tighten pores, and while many have gotten a bad rap historically for overstripping, good toners actually work to remove excess oils [3], lightly exfoliate [4], and balance skin's pH instead.
Our editors have already tried dozens of toners over the years, and these are their favourites . . . with not one on this list costing more than $34. See which toners get our stamp of approval ahead, and read our reviews, too.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Item: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner [6] ($34)
What our editor said: "To be perfectly honest, I own at least 20 toners, most of which are packed with a cocktail of acids to resurface my skin. Almost all of them have the same consistency of water, which means I usually have to apply them with a cotton round, therefore potentially losing some of the actual product in the round fabric. It's also 2020, and using single-use products is hard to justify these days. But the Watermelon Glow Toner's formula is just viscous enough that when I pour it into my hand, it collects in a little puddle, which I can easily smooth onto my face and neck.
Luckily, that level of goopy-ness doesn't leave behind a sticky reside after application. That's another unique feature of this toner. Unlike even the most watery toners out there, the Watermelon Glow Toner sinks into skin almost immediately." — Samantha Sasso, associate editor, Native
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [7].
Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner With Moringa + Papaya
Item: Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner With Moringa + Papaya [8] ($28)
What our editor said: "I have combination skin and experience just about all of my breakouts on my chin. Because of this, I swear by toners to balance my skin and remove excess oil and makeup from the area. [This toner] does just that while also gently exfoliating the skin to keep pores clear with a blend of two-percent salicylic acid and papaya enzyme. It doesn't leave my face feeling dry or tight — just clean and fresh." — Jessica Harrington, associate editor, Beauty
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [9].
Caudalie Moisturising Toner
Item: Caudalie Moisturising Toner [10] ($28)
What our editor said: "I like to add on this [toner] to hydrate my skin and prep it for the moisturiser and any serums that come later. Many toners have alcohol and are too harsh on my dry skin, but this one always leaves it feeling great (and it's alcohol-free)." — Morgan Ashley Parker, contributing editor, Beauty
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [11].
Milk Makeup Matcha Toner
Item: Milk Makeup Matcha Toner [12] ($15-$28)
What our editor said: "While the revelation that the toner does not in fact leave a green residue felt like a punch to the gut at first, I got over it as soon as I saw my skin start to clear up within a few days . . . On a good day, my combination skin is acne prone if I switch up my routine in the slightest. Forget to take off my makeup after one night of going out? Chin zit. Try the new moisturiser everybody's raving about? Double chin zit. I fall into that category where washing my face totally dries out my skin, but applying rich moisturiser afterward makes me break out. Insert sarcastic 'yay.'
[I apply this] before I put my makeup on, including primer, and it leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth all day. The Matcha Toner has also allowed me to cut back on moisturising my face as frequently because my skin is far less dry after standing under a scalding-hot shower for 20 minutes, and that's a major win." — Murphy Moroney, associate editor, Family
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [13].
Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner
Item: Fresh Rose and Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner [14] ($22-$45)
What our editor said: "I've been using this [Fresh toner] for years. It doesn't strip my skin or make it feel tight, and I like it as a follow-up to my cleanser." — India Yaffe, assistant editor, Shop
If you want to read more, here is the complete review [15].
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