DermPick
PanOxyl Clarifying Peeling with 2% Salicylic Acid
Per
- Helps prevent and treat acne
Disadvantages
- Some reviewers said it leaves a sticky feeling on the skin
Shah recommends this liquid peeling with two percent salicylic acid to open pores and keep skin smooth and soft.
Skin types: prone to acne
Main ingredients: Salicylic acid, blue-green algae
Customer rating:
“I had problems with small bumps on my forehead, but after two applications they disappeared!” – Alyanna
Best moisturizing facial toner
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Toner
Per
- Alcohol and perfume free
Disadvantages
- May not be suitable for oily skin
Enriched with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this toner acts more like an essence than an astringent. Apply it before your moisturizer and you’ll be amazed at how hydrated and dewy your skin is when you wake up.
Skin types: sensitive
Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides
Customer rating:
“I love this toner! It doesn’t sting like others I’ve tried, feels moisturizing, and my skin looks better after using it! You get a lot in the bottle for the price.” —Kristent136
Best alcohol-free toner
Neutrogena – Gentle, fragrance-free facial toner for every day without alcohol
Per
- Hypoallergen
Disadvantages
- No peeling ingredients
Yes, it’s the formula you know from the bright blue bottle – it just has a new look. Alcohol-free and with moisturizing glycerin, it helps protect the skin barrier instead of destroying it.
Skin types: Sensitive, Normal, Dry, Combination, Acne-prone, Oily
Main ingredients: Glycerin, Panthenol
Customer rating:
“Gentle formula. Gives you a clean facial surface to apply your favorite serum and moisturizer. A must have for your skin care routine” – TheOriginalJRod
Best for oily skin
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Micro-Exfoliating Astringent Tonic
Per
- Gentle formula
Disadvantages
- May be too drying for some skin types
Designed for oily skin, this gentle toner contains a salicylic acid derivative that absorbs oils and exfoliates the skin without being too harsh.
Skin types: Oily
Main ingredients: LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid; thermal water from La Roche-Posay
Customer rating:
“I have oily/acne-prone skin with large pores, and honestly after a few uses my skin looks smoother and my pores appear smaller. I will continue to incorporate this into my routine.” -CC
Best Witch Hazel Toner
Thayers Facial Toner with Witch Hazel
Per
- Non-drying
Disadvantages
- Rose scent can be too intrusive for some
Thayers is famous for its Witch Hazel toner, which contains soothing tannins and antioxidants. This bottle also contains balancing rose water and aloe for extra pampering.
Skin types: All skin types
Main ingredients: certified organic witch hazel, rose water, aloe vera
Customer rating:
“I’m 65 now and have been using this toner for at least 10 years. It doesn’t dry out the skin and I’ve never had any breakouts. The rose scent is lovely and realistic, but it fades quickly. Feels great on the neck and décolleté too. Great product.” —JinWL
Best Toning Mist
BYOMA Balancing Facial Mist
Per
- Refillable
Disadvantages
- Some reviewers complained about the smell
If you don’t want to waste cotton pads (or don’t want reusable ones), consider a toning mist like this one from Byoma. With skin barrier strengthening ingredients like ceramides and allantoin, it’s a great addition before moisturizer or whenever you need a refresh
Skin types: All skin types
Main ingredients: Tri-ceramide complex, probiotic ferment, allantoin
Customer rating:
“Very good! My favorite part of my skincare routine. My skin is oily but it needs moisture after washing. I spray this on after cleansing and follow with serum and moisturizer. I’ve definitely noticed a difference.” —hellosunshine
Best for dry skin
Versed Baby Cheeks All-in-One Moisturising Milk
Per
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Disadvantages
- Some reviewers don’t like the bottle
This milky toner seemingly achieves the impossible: although the consistency is more like that of a light moisturizer for your routine, it doesn’t leave behind any weird residue or a sticky feeling. It’s a must-have during the winter months or for those with severe dryness.
Skin types: Dry, Combination, Very dry
Main ingredients: Algae extract, bamboo extract, coconut water
Customer rating:
“I love this toner!! My skin is so dry and this stuff works great before my serums, facial oils and moisturizers.” – Natalie H
Best Rose Water Toner
Heritage Store Rose Water Facial Toner
Per
- Dye and alcohol free
Disadvantages
- Rose scent can be too intrusive for some
Rose water has been used in beauty for generations, and skincare pros still swear by it. This $14 bottle contains minimal ingredients to make the Damascus rose oil shine—including water that’s been “swirled and magnetized to bring the energy to a higher vibration,” if you’re into that sort of thing.
Skin types: Dry, combination skin
Main ingredients: Damask rose oil, hyaluronic acid
Customer rating:
“This is my go-to toner. It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling so soft and hydrated. I had stopped using it for a while because I wanted to see if it really made a difference in my makeup and skincare routine, and I noticed a huge difference. I won’t go without it anymore.” —J
Best toner pads
Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic to-go pads
Per
- Travel friendly
Disadvantages
- Some reviewers found the formula too harsh
These pre-soaked pads are extremely convenient and the toner is no joke: with 5 percent glycolic acid, they leave skin glowing and exfoliated. We recommend using them two to three times a week and using a moisturizing formula on non-use days.
Skin types: All skin types
Main ingredients: 5 percent glycolic acid
Customer rating:
“I have been using Pixi products for years and have never been disappointed! I have tried more expensive products and always go back to Pixi. This tonic leaves my skin feeling fresh, clean and looking great.” – Mandi R
Best balancing toner
elf Keep Your Balance Toner
Per
- Great value for money
Disadvantages
- Contains alcohol
Reviewers love the refreshing feeling of this $8 toner from Elf, and some say they even keep it in the fridge for an added cooling effect.
Skin types: Dry, oily, combination skin
Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe, witch hazel
Customer rating:
“This stuff works wonders. My combination skin was driving me crazy. No matter what cream or lotion I used, it didn’t help the dry patches on my skin. I use it right after I wash my face and then apply my face cream. It works wonders. No weird breakouts either. 10/10”
Do you need to use toner?
According to Shah, that may not be the case. “Toner was developed to remove soap residue and suds and normalize the skin’s pH level when cleansers and soaps were still quite harsh on the skin,” the dermatologist explains. “Because cleansers today have a similar pH level to the normal skin barrier and don’t leave behind harmful residue, there’s actually no need for traditional toner anymore.” If you feel like your cleanser is doing its job thoroughly, toner is totally optional.
What does toner do?
If you absolutely must use a toner in your routine, the products mentioned above are the right choice as they are non-harmful to the skin. “These days, many toners are more categorized as essence, a liquid formula that delivers certain ingredients to the skin like salicylic acid, etc.,” explains Shah.
Looking for more drugstore beauty recommendations?
Meet the expert
- Dr. Muneeb Shah is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. He is also the founder of Remedy Science.
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. She writes regularly for BAZAAR.COMshe also writes for Shine, People, sabrina_designAnd Fashion fanamong other publications. She lives with her Chihuahua mix Barney in New York City.
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