The 11 Best Drugstore Toners of 2020

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Recently, we've fallen back in love with toners here at Byrdie HQ. It's not that we ever stopped loving them, per se, but considering the movement toward serums, oils, and other dreamy elixirs that promise to gift us with fairy-kissed skin…well, forgive us if we neglected to give our once basic toner the love it deserved. (Although, mind you, our favorite toners these days are anything but basic.)

Essential for nixing any lingering leftovers post-cleanse, rebalancing moisture and pH levels, and improving the results of proceeding skincare products, toners are pivotal for achieving a healthy and radiant complexion. Therefore, we've been dedicating more of our time and energy to the topic, dishing up the best toners for oily skin and the best alcohol-free toners. (You're welcome.) Yet, there's one major area we still have yet to cover: the blessed drugstore (i.e., ultra-affordable) variety.

Keep reading for the best drugstore toners that won't break the bank.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta

A true classic, this rose petal–infused drugstore toner is a dream for those with sensitive and dry skin. Free of alcohol, it will never irritate or overdry, and thanks to a helpful dose of organic aloe vera, it feels oh so soothing after a long day at the office or outside in the sun. The brand has been around since 1874, so clearly, they’re doing something right.

Buy on Walmart

This brand offers countless different takes on toner, but this original can’t be beaten, particularly if you have oily skin. The brand has relied on the same witch hazel formula since 1866, using a unique distilled kind of witch hazel that removes impurities without diluting it. Translation? The ingredient is more effective than ever at removing excess oil. This toner is also fragrance-free and consistently pulls in tons of five-star reviews from loyal customers.

Buy on Walmart

Okay, this may be called a mist, but for all intents and purposes, you can use it just as you would a toner (although you don’t even need a cotton pad to swipe it on, just spritz and go!). Made with 99% naturally-derived ingredients (and no parabens, dyes, silicones, or sulfates), it uses aloe juice to deeply hydrate dry skin. Best of all, you can use it post-cleansing (it creates a great base for makeup), post-makeup to help set it, or anytime throughout the day when your complexion needs a quick pick-me-up.

Buy on Walmart

This checks all of the important criteria to look for when choosing a product for sensitive skin. It’s free of drying alcohol and potentially-irritating fragrance, and contains soothing and good-for-your-skin ingredients, namely soothing chamomile extract, softening allantoin, and restorative pro-vitamin B5. Made with triple-purified water to hydrate skin and better prep it for moisturizer, it also contains witch hazel to help absorb any excess oil.

Buy on Dermstore

This toner has a cult-like following, and for good reason. Not only do you get the astringent benefits of witch hazel and the soothing benefits of aloe vera, but this also has the distinction of containing a five percent concentration of glycolic acid. With continued use, that glycolic acid helps dissolve dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking brighter, radiant, more glowy…you get the picture.

Still, because the glycolic acid in here has already been partially neutralized, there’s no need to worry about the potential for any kind of unsightly irritation. Happy customers comment on how amazing and bright it makes their skin look, especially after using it for a while.

Buy on Burtsbees.com

The brand may be known for their classic lip balm, but amidst their skincare offerings this one stands out. It’s hard to find a toner more natural than this one, which is ninety-nine point nine percent natural, to get specific.

While it does contain some witch hazel, it actually uses rosewater for its mild astringent properties (bonus points for giving it a light floral scent, too). Aloe vera and glycerin soothe and hydrate, leaving your skin feeling completely fresh and clean, but somehow supremely soft at the same time.

Buy on Walmart

Underperforming in price (that's a good thing) and overperforming in effectiveness and quality, Garnier's cult-favorite micellar water is an essential, do-it-all antidote for the woes of every skin type—even the finicky. Whether you need a refresh after the gym, an extra step to lift away makeup post-cleanse, or just a soothing pick-me-up around 3 p.m. (when that stress sweat seems to kick in), this best-of-the-best drugstore toner from Garnier has your back.

Buy on Ulta

Formulated with natural AHAs from the hibiscus plant, this toner helps to gently exfoliate and clarify the skin by sweeping away inactive cells and removing debris. If the exfoliating part has you nervous, know that it's safe enough for all skin types to use.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Target

A longtime editor favorite, this back-to-basics (sorry, couldn't resist) toner features a straightforward ingredient list for straightforward results: water + raw apple cider vinegar + witch hazel + clary sage + sandalwood = a bright, balanced, blemish-free complexion. Plus, it also happens to be organic.

Buy on Dermae.com

Treat signs of aging with this glycolic and vitamin A–infused (retinol) toner to brighten the complexion and "thicken" the skin to fill out fine lines. Skin will also receive a generous dose of moisture form sea kelp and aloe vera.

Buy on Walmart

We already wrote an ode to this all-natural drugstore brand (yes, we're just that obsessed), and this pore-refining toner just so happens to be one of the line's must-have skincare standouts. Boasting white clay (to tame oil) and willow bark and lemongrass (to tone and balance), it has the makings and efficacy of a toner 10 times the price.

These Are the 17 Best Toners Based on Your Skin Type and Concerns