You’ve mastered your skin care routine and found a moisturiser that delivers hydration, a serum that soothes and an eye cream that tackles those puffy under-eyes. But something seems to be missing... Yes, we’re talking about toners, of course.
The unsung hero to your skin care routine, the best toners swoop in post-cleanse to comfort your complexion and ensure the rest of your lotions and potions sink in better. The result? A glorious glow.
Paying homage to the everyday essentials, here at Cult Beauty we’ve rounded up the best toners to add to your basket... no matter your skin type. Cotton pads at the ready!
BUT FIRST, WHAT ARE TONERS
Liquid in solution, toners are your skin care’s sidekick. Created to rebalance the pH of your complexion (which is often affected when you cleanse), they remove residual dirt left over from face washing, prep your skin for the next step in your routine *and* refresh and hydrate . But that’s not all. Depending on the ingredients infused in the formula, toners can also vary in what complexion cravings they curb. Some toners are formulated with glycolic or salicylic acid to gently exfoliate, while others are infused with glycerin and hyaluronic acid to boost moisture. Some are targeted to soothe and are packed with comforting chamomile while others are more astringent and work to help tighten pores and reduce excess oil production.
READ MORE ABOUT TONERS >>> Whatever your skin type, the best toners make your complexion thrive.... Keep scrolling to find yours...
THE TOP 12 BEST TONERS
If you tend to get an oily t-zone and are partial to a midday powder break, a toner that works to rebalance your skin’s oil production should be at the top of your skin care list. Here are some of the best toners for an oilier complexion...
Infused with raw, white willow bark and a powerful blend of BHA’s, Biossance’s Squalane and BHA Pore Minimising Toner is the gentle, skin soothing solution that not only unclogs pores without making skin feel tight, but also quenches complexions simultaneously thanks to the infusion of hydrating squalane.
SHOP ALL BIOSSANCE >>> A cult-classic for a reason, Paula’s Choice’s Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is the non-abrasive exfoliant that smooths out uneven skin texture while reducing the look of blemishes and blackheads. Packed with antioxidant-rich green tea extract, means it not only comforts complexions, but protects your moisture barrier too.
SHOP ALL PAULA’S CHOICE >>> Ideal for those susceptible to pesky pimples, COSRX’s AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner works to unbind the ‘glue’ that holds onto dead and dull skin cells while eliminating embedded oils that congest your oil-prone complexion. Gentle for everyday use, it prevents your skin from harbouring bacteria, ensuring it looks restored and radiant.
SHOP ALL COSRX >>> Have an oily forehead but dry cheeks? This points to a combination complexion. When looking for a toner, it’s important the formula is hydrating and exfoliating... Explore some of the best toners for combination skin here...
Formulated with five types of hyaluronic acid and the brand's antioxidant-rich Beauty Green Tea complex, INNISFREE’s Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner is the lightweight must-have to level up your routine. Working to soothe skin and protect your complexion’s moisture barrier, this non-sticky, non-greasy formula sinks in instantly leaving skin feeling refreshed, cool and clean.
SHOP ALL INNISFREE >>> Gently exfoliating and powered by willow bark, azelaic and lactic acids, REN Clean Skincare’s Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic not only addresses dullness but helps to resurface skin, tackle fine lines and boost brightness too.
SHOP ALL REN >>> Formulated with salicylic acid, antioxidant-rich grape polphenols, organic rosewater, and antibacterial rosemary *and* peppermint, Caudalie’s Vinopure Purifying Toner is the weightless wonder that boosts skin’s moisture levels while refining and refreshing the complexion.
SHOP ALL CAUDALIE >>> Sensitive and prone to irritation, those with this skin type should opt for formulas that are alcohol, fragrance free and packed with soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera and calendula.We’vegot some of the best toners for sensitive skin here...
Formulated specifically to rebalance the skin after a face wash, Caudalie’s Vinoclean Moisturising Toner is the ideal cleansing finale to help skin feel clean, fresh and ready for the rest of your routine. Crafted with Vinolevure (an extract from wine yeast), this formula douses skin in moisture while helping to strengthen your moisture barrier. Plus, blended with watermelon extract, mint and lemon leaf it’s an indulgent, olfactory experience that won't irritate your skin.
SHOP ALL CAUDALIE >>> Delivering a heavy hit of hydration, Paula’s Choice’s Calm Nourishing Milky Toner is a must-have for sensitive skin. Formulated with a comforting blend of allantoin, ophiopogum japonicus root extract and marshmallow root extract, it conditions skin, helps minimise the look of pigmentation and banishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Clarifying and cooling on the complexion, it makes the ideal base for the rest of your routine.
SHOP ALL PAULA’S CHOICE >>> Delicate and refreshing, OSKIA’s Floral Water Toner gently cleans comforts and conditions the skin while tenderly exfoliating and purifying. Packed with hand-harvested rose petals, hydrolysed distilled water, the brand’s patented MSM, black carrot juice and vitamin b5 to name but a few, this powerhouse potion hydrates, softens and rejuvenates the skin while helping keep it looking supple and firm.
SHOP ALL OSKIA >>> Targeting flakiness and discomfort, toners for dry skin should work to lock in moisture and intensely nourish the complexion. Let’s introduce you to some of the best toners for dry skin...
Starring 5% glycolic acid, Alpha-H's Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment with Glycolic Acid melts away impurities and dead skin cells to reveal a renewed and radiant complexion. Working by lowering the pH of your skin from a level 5.5 to a 3, this overnight treatment helps to restore your skin's radiance by helping to minimise post-blemish scars, dark spots and even fine lines and wrinkles. Is that a glowing complexion over the horizon?
SHOP ALL ALPHA-H >>> Like a tall glass of refreshing water for your skin, Dermalogica’s Multi-Active Toner is the innovative solution in a spritz-able formulation. Crafted with skin-soothing balm mint, arnica, lavender and a plethora of moisture magnet humectants, this skin cooler conditions your complexion while balancing your hydration levels.
SHOP ALL DERMALOGICA >>> Powered by a brightening blend of antioxidants, niacinamide, polyglutamic and ellagic acid, Then I Met You’s The Giving Essence not only boosts moisture and clarifies the complexion, but thanks to the infusion of fermented ingredients it helps to shield the skin from UV rays, cell degeneration and bacterial pathogens too. If that’s not going above and beyond, we don’t know what is!
SHOP ALL THEN I MET YOU >>> THE BEST TONERS FAQs
How do I choose a good toner?
This really depends on what you need the toner for and what your skin type is. Most toners are formulated to tackle a complexion-concern like dehydration, dullness or uneven skin texture. When you know what you want your toner to *do* it’s much easier to find the toner for you.
Do I really need a toner?
Yes, especially if you have oily or dry and dull skin. These skin types need more of a helping hand to bring out the skin’s natural radiance, so a toner that is specifically formulated to help decongest pores, exfoliate dead skin cells and help minimise pores, will work wonders in the glow-giving department.
Is micellar water a toner?
Although both have the capability to cleanse the skin after a face wash, micellar water is essentially another type of face cleanser. Formulated with tiny oil particle micelles that are suspended in soft water, micellar water gently lifts away dirt without disrupting your moisture barrier. Toners on the other hand not only help remove residual dirt but as they are formulated with actives and hydrating heroes, they go above and beyond just cleaning the complexion.
And there you have it, a run through of the best toners to suit every skin type. Now, are you adding a mist, milk or lightweight formula to your basket?
SHOP ALL TONERS >>> 
