The 14 Best Toners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Tower28 is known for its sensitive skin-friendly makeup and skincare formulas. This toner—which comes housed in a firetruck red spray bottle—is 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 you’ll also find that plenty of fans swear it works to calm inflamed acne and perioral dermatitis.

Hypochlorous acid, AKA the star ingredient, is the reason the formula is so effective at pacifying redness and irritation. According to the brand, hypochlorous acid is similar to hyaluronic acid and ceramides in that it’s made by our skin. “Naturally occurring in white blood cells, hypochlorous acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fend off foreign pathogens and promotes healing,” the brand’s website shares.

With all that goodness in one bottle, you’ll want to savor every last drop. Thankfully, the spray bottle ensures that there’s no mess, spillage, or accidental use of too much product. Our lab tester loved having the option of applying the toner either to a cotton pad or directly to her face. The watery, lightweight toner comes out of the bottle with ease, and it “soaks into skin within seconds,” she says, noting that her skin felt “more hydrated, glowy, and fresh” after use. Even though the formula has a water-like consistency and comes in a spray bottle, it can take a bit more effort than the average toner. It took our tester about five pumps to adequately saturate the cotton round.

Price at time of publish: $28

Active ingredients: Hypochlorous acid | Benefits: Calms skin irritation | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

When a product has a trademarked ingredient, you know it’s going to be good. In the case of the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner, the superstar component is Pitera™, a signature ingredient containing 50 micro-nutrients. These conditioning agents, in addition to alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), work to improve the overall appearance of your skin—starting with uneven skin texture. Our tester can attest to that; she shared that the toner felt “hydrating” and “soothing” upon application and appeared to help with her dull and uneven skin texture almost right away. She was also impressed by the toner’s ability to “thoroughly clean” her pores. Even though she washed her face prior to using the toner, she 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 aperture 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.

Price at time of publish: $76

Active ingredients: Pitera™ (Vitamins, acids, minerals), AHAs, Glycerin, Salicylic, Lactic, and Malic Acids | Benefits: Exfoliating, Hydrating | Size: 5.4 fl. oz.  | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Clarifying Toner

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

A toner can be an invaluable tool in your battle against blemishes. The key is choosing the right one that will target excess oil and keep pores clear without over-drying your skin (and ironically end up triggering more oil and more breakouts). Enter this toner, which relies on a minimal-yet-effective witch hazel and algae extract 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. Our tester loved the consistency, comparing it to water. It’s not too thick and not too greasy, making it ideal for a midday refresh or post-cleanse blot. The tester even went as far as saying it “awakened” her skin and absorbed into her pores 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.

Price at time of publish: $30

Active ingredients: Witch Hazel, Butylene Glycol | Benefits: Tightens pores, Regulates oil production | Size: 6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Redness

Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  4/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

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. According to our tester, the toner sank into her pores immediately after application and made a huge difference in the appearance of her hormonal acne breakouts. She admitted that any redness went down significantly and even noticed that a budding pimple “decreased significantly.” What’s more, she even claimed 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 because our tester admitted she had to use “quite a bit of muscle” to get the toner out of the bottle (thank you, small dispenser head), it’s less than ideal.

Price at time of publish: $19

Active ingredients: Panthenol, Hyaluronic acid, Green tea tri-biotics™| Benefits: Calming, Soothe redness | Size: 6.8 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Sensitive Skin

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Soothing Toner

4.9

View On Reneerouleau.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  4.9/5
• Appearance
  4.8/5

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. Our tester, who has sensitive skin prone to breakouts and dryness, admits that this toner helped prevent that too-tight-to-move feeling after washing her face. Instead, her skin felt “relaxed” and had a “healthy glow.” What’s more, she noticed a difference in the appearance of her hyperpigmentation. She also said that she liked how this toner has only a few ingredients and is loaded with anti-aging benefits. One thing that could be better: How hydrating it is. Though it helps nourish skin that feels tight and irritated, we wish it was a little more hydrating and locked in moisture a bit more.

Price at time of publish: $39

Active ingredients: Elderberry fruit extract, Sodium PCA, Biosaccharide Gum-1| Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, Soothing | Size: 6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  4/5
• Appearance
  4/5

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. Our tester was impressed by how lightweight the formula felt on her skin, noting that she almost forgot she had it on. She was also pleased that the product didn’t cause a tingling sensation. Just keep in mind 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).

Price at time of publish: $32

Active ingredients: Salicylic acid, Papaya enzymes | Benefits: Exfoliation, Unclogs pores, Minimizes shine, Refreshes | Size: 4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Hyperpigmentation

Freck Beauty Cactus Water Cleansing Lactic Acid Toner

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  4.5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  4.8/5

Dark marks are 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 attacks hyperpigmentation from every angle. Our tester was a fan and compared the consistency of the toner to a micellar water. It absorbs into the skin quickly and efficiently, so much so that she said her skin “drank it up so quickly” that she wanted to “load up on more.”

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

Price at time of publish: $32

Active ingredients: Lactic acid, Cactus flower extract, Kelp extract| Benefits: Exfoliating, Hydrating, Calming | Size: 6.5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Various Skin Types

Fresh Rose & Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

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 actually gives the skin a rush of moisture instead. Formulated with, you guessed it, rosewater 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. Our tester was a fan, sharing that her skin felt hydrated and relaxed. She especially appreciated the fact there wasn’t a tingling sensation (many toners she’s tried made her feel irritated), and her pores felt like they could breathe. The 8.4 fl. oz. bottle is available for under 50 dollars, which some might find expensive. But, given the size, you can expect it to last a while (especially compared to some options on this list).

Price at time of publish: $46

Active ingredients: Rose fruit extract, Rosewater, Angelica leaf extract, Hyaluronic acid | Benefits: Toning, Soothing, Nourishing, Moisturizing | Size: 8.4 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Moisturizing Formula

Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

Skin that’s in need of some extra moisture: Check out this milky formula from Laneige. As the name suggests, the product has a creamy, moisturizer-like consistency that hydrates on contact with the skin. “Smooth,” “airy,”  and “super gentle” are three words our tester used to describe the toner, noting that her skin could feel the moisturizing effects of the product right away—”literal seconds,” she said, to be exact. Her skin was so much more hydrated after use that the tester next to her even commented on how glowy she looked. Plus, the white leaf tea water (aka one of the soothing ingredients in the formula) even helped tone down any redness and irritation on the tester’s skin. 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.

Price at time of publish: $33

Active ingredients: White leaf tea water | Benefits: Strengthen moisture barrier, Moisturize, Soothe | Size: 5.0 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free:

Best Soothing Formula

Fenty Beauty Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence with Hyaluronic Acid and Tamarind

5

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

As seen on TikTok, the Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence from Fenty Beauty is totally worth the hype. Between the unique bottle (product dispenses from a twist top) and super milky consistency, there’s no wonder people are obsessed with this product. According to our tester, the toner absorbs into the skin really well. After three minutes, she noted that the toner sunk in completely and that her skin looked really calm. And, best of all, thanks to the hydrating ingredients, she said that she could feel the difference deep in her pores. Since nothing is perfect, there’s one thing we wish we could change: The smell. While it’s not scented, our tester shared that it has a subtle smell to it that she wasn’t a fan of. If you can get past that, it’s totally worth every penny.

Price at time of publish: $32

Active ingredients: Tamarind, Hyaluronic acid, Mineral PCAs, Panthenol | Benefits: Moisturizing, Soothing, Hydrating | Size: 5 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Refreshing Formula

Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  4.7/5

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. Our tester was impressed by the formula, noting that it’s the perfect product for a quick refresh. Prior to using the toner, she had just cleansed her face and noticed how tight and dry it felt. But, when she followed up with the toner, she felt her skin spring back to life. Not only was it more hydrated and calm, but it was glowy and more even-toned. Though our tester 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, 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.

Price at time of publish: $30

Active ingredients: Honeysuckle, Baobab, Sodium hyaluronate | Benefits: Soothe, Moisturize, Hydrate  | Size: 6.75 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free:

Best Exfoliating Formula

SKKN by Kim Toner

4.9

View On Skknbykim.com

Our Ratings

• Feel
  5/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  4.8/5

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. Our tester can attest to that. She shared that her skin felt “tremendously more hydrated” and that she could tell an immediate difference in the areas where she did not apply the toner compared to the ones where she did.

As with most exfoliators you introduce to your skin, you may experience some slight purging. Because exfoliators increase cell turnover, oftentimes, some people may experience an increase in breakouts or skin irritation. It’s best to ease into using the toner. We recommend using it every few nights and seeing how your skin reacts before adding it to your daily routine.

Price at time of publish: $45

Active ingredients: Fruit enzymes, Witch hazel, Niacinamide, Salicylic acid | Benefits: Exfoliating, Hydrating | Size: 6 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Balancing Formula

Holifrog Utopia Microflora Toner

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Feel
  4.8/5
• Absorption
  5/5
• Hydration
  5/5
• Appearance
  5/5

When many people think of toners, a pore-stripping, overly-drying product typically 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 ingredients (like apple cider vinegar, aloe, and more) that work like probiotics for the face. The result: Happy, balanced, calm skin. After applying the toner with a cotton pad, our tester found that her skin was more hydrated and “firmer, but still soft.” Plus, she shared that her acne and rosacea don’t look as obvious. The only caveat she could think of was 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.

Price at time of publish: $44

Active ingredients: Aloe, Jojoba Seed Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar | Benefits: | Size: 4.05 fl. oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes