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Like a middle child begging for attention, or the mysterious fourth member of Destiny’s Child, facial toners never seem to get enough of credit when it comes to your skincare lineup. They often get overlooked for the babies of the family or Beyoncés of the group, like serums and moisturizers. But the best toners are actually an important step in any skincare routine.
“Traditionally, toners were products used to restore skin’s pH after cleansing the face with an alkaline soap,” explains New York City-based dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD (reminder, the pH of healthy skin is slightly acidic, around 5.5). They can also help prep your skin for serums and moisturizers and get rid of excess oil or dirt that your cleanser might have missed.
But today, the best toners do so much more than just act as an astringent or balance your skin’s pH (although that’s still an important part). They provide similar benefits you would see in your serums or treatment products. That’s because they are infused with ingredients (like rose water, glycolic and hyaluronic acids, and vitamins) that can exfoliate, brighten, soothe, hydrate, and more. Soak a cotton pad in your TOC (toner of choice), swipe it over just-washed skin before the rest of your products, then watch as your complexion transforms.
Because of these added benefits, the best toner for you should be chosen based on your biggest skin concern. Overwhelmed by all the options? Don't worry—here are the dermatologist approved best toners for your skin type:
1
Best For Dark Marks
Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
If you haveone or two dark marks from a healing pimple (known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), then you should spot treat.But if you're dealing with pigmentation issues all over, that's where this toner can help. The potent combo of AHAs (glycolic and lactic acids) break up unwanted pigment to reveal brighter skin.
2
Best For Dry Skin
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner
Truly dry skin needs all the moisturizing help it can get, so adding a hydrating toner to your routine can make a big difference. This one uses rose water, hyaluronic acid, andangelica leaf extract to draw in moisture and keep it in place.
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3
Best For All Skin Types
Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner
Think of this option from Dr. Barbara Sturmlike a classic toner 2.0. Its main purpose is to balance your skin's pH, butit's alcohol-free, so it won't leave your skin feeling dry or tight, and it contains hydrating hyaluronic acid.
“If you have oily skin, look for a toner that containswitch hazel,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. “This natural astringent is extremely effective at removing excess oil from the surface of the skin.”
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“If you’re suffering from acne, your go-to toner ingredientshould be salicylic acid,” says Dr. Zeichner. Salicylic acid removes excess oil from the skin and dives deep into pores to remove dead skin cells—helping cut down on two major causes of acne.
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“Look for glycolic acid if you have mature skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “This alpha hydroxy acid helps strengthen skin and stimulate collagen production while removing dead cells from the surface."
“If you have dehydrated skin, look for toners that contain skin-plumping hyaluronic acid (HA), which is one of the best humectants we have to hydrate the skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. This toner usessodium hyaluronate, which is asmaller derivative of HA.
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“Sun-damaged skin is at the same time sensitive, contains extra pigment, and may have trouble with collagen production,” explains Dr.Zeichner. “Look for a gentle mix of hydroxy acids to cleanse, exfoliate, and help stimulate collagen.”
10
Best For Dull Skin
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
“Pitera [the main ingredient in this toner]is an ingredient produced through fermentation that contains a combination of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which allhelp brighten the skin,” says Zeichner.
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“If you have normal or combination skin, look for ingredients like lactic acid, which can gently exfoliate and deep clean across a variety of skin types,” says Dr. Zeichner.
Hate to break it to you, but your pores are here to stay. Although you can't totally shrink them, you can boost the surrounding collagen and keep them clear to help make them appear smaller. The blend of vitamin C, green tea extract, and witch hazel in this toner should do all of the above.
Daley Quinn
Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty and wellness writer living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Family Circle magazine, WWD.com, TheCut.com, TheFinancialDiet.com, and San Antonio magazine. In her off hours, you can find Daley stalking her queen, Vanessa Carlton. You canfind more of her work on herwebsiteor check outher blog,The Daley Dose.
Maddie Aberman
Beauty Editor
Maddie Aberman is the beauty editor at Women's Health and has been covering skincare, makeup, hair, and wellness for more than five years. When she's not thinking about beauty, she's dreaming of getting a puppy (all dog mom advice is welcome).