As a beauty editor, I’ve tested dozens of the best toners on the market and landed on ones that really deliver on their promise to balance complexion and clean skin without causing irritation. Unlike toners of the past that stripped the skin’s barrier with astringents (a.k.a. alcohol-based formulas), today’s toners actually help address all types of skin concerns. Dealing with dryness this winter? Look for a toner with a hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration. Is redness an issue? Anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide can help calm and soothe skin.
To help you find the best face toner for you, I tapped dermatologists for their favorites. Then, our Glamour reviewers put them to the test. The one that rose to the top was the EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner, because it’s gentle, fragrance- and alcohol-free, and its blend of amino acids help soothe inflammation and reduce pimples. If you’re looking to increase glow, our reviewers loved the K-beauty Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner and budget-friendly CeraVe Alcohol Free Hydrating Face Toner, but you’ll find more top-rated options below.
The best toners, at a glance
- Best Overall: EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner, $37
- Best Toner for Dry Skin: CeraVe Alcohol Free Hydrating Face Toner, $10
- Best Toner for Oily Skin: Pixi Clarity Tonic, $15
- Best Toner for Acne-Prone Skin: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, $13
- Best Toner for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray, $28
- Best for Redness: Charlotte Tilbury Daily Glow Toner With Niacinamide, $55
- Best Toner For Glowing Skin: Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner, $6
- Best K-Beauty Toner: CosRX AHA Toner, $11
How we picked the best toners
How we tested toners
We tested toners based on a variety of factors, including texture, value, and efficacy. After applying the product, we evaluated how it felt. (Did it soothe the skin? Was there any burning sensation?) We also looked at how our skin improved after weeks of use, and if we were able to notice fewer breakouts and less redness overall.
Meet the experts
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in NYC
- Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and author of Skin Rules
- Angela Lamb, MD, an associate professor at Mount Sinai Hospital’s department of dermatology in NYC
Best Overall: EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner
Dr. Jaliman crowned this the best toner for all skin types because of its gentle formula and high-quality ingredients. “It’s alcohol-free, so it doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils, and the patented combination of skin-calming amino acids helps soothe irritated skin and improve the skin barrier,” she says.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary gave this one a go for two weeks and noticeably saw improvement. “My skin is very oily, acne-prone, so I usually always reach for a toner that has lots of BHAs, but hearing that this one calms redness and pimples with primarily amino acids had me intrigued to try it. After using it for a couple of days, I noticed a difference in how my skin looked and felt. My skin tone appeared much more even and calm, and the constant redness around my nose seemed to have dissipated in a way it really hadn’t before. I recommend this if you deal with congested skin that causes discoloration,” she says.
- Pros: Gentle and calming formula; fragrance-free; alcohol-free
- Cons: Some reviewers found the formula too drying
- Size: 7.3 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, malachite extract, glycerin
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
Best Toner for Oily Skin: Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic
“Generally, AHA/BHA toners like those containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for oily and acne-prone skin,” says Dr. Nazarian. That’s why, if you struggle with oiliness, let us introduce you to Kilkeary’s favorite toner of all time. “My skin actually changed when I started using this toner every other day. I typically use it at night (specifically on nights I’m not using retinol), and like to tap it on to oily areas (around my nose and T-zone) with my fingers. My skin has never looked as matte or clarified than it has since adding this into my routine, and I owe it all to the powerful blend of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid. I’ve also never felt a burning sensation while using this (which can sometimes happen with AHA/BHA toners). Instead my skin always looks and feels clean, calm, and clear.”
