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The 10 Best Drugstore Toners for Every Skin Type
Milky toners, soothing toners, toners for oily skin—experts love these affordable options
One product is often overlooked in the vast spectrum of skincare routines: toner. Used after cleansing and before serums and treatments, toners can help with additional cleansing or moisturizing and lay the foundation for the more hydrating steps in your routine. And no, you don't need to spend a small fortune or a good one.
"Drugstore toners can certainly be just as effective as prestige options," says board-certified dermatologist Muneeb Shah, adding that the same is true for essentially all skincare categories. The important thing, he says, is studying labels closely: "Ingredients and their percentages are the key to finding comparable options."
Lucky for you, we've done the homework for you. From milky formulas that nourish to witch hazel toners that help calm skin, find the 10 best drugstore toners ahead including editors' picks and Shah's own recommendation.
The Best Drugstore Toners
PanOxyl Clarifying Exfoliant with 2% Salicylic Acid
Pros
- Helps prevent and treat acne
Cons
- Some reviewers said it leaves skin feeling sticky
Shah recommends this liquid exfoliant, which features two percent salicylic acid to unclog pores and keep skin feeling smooth and soft.
Skin Types: acne-prone
Key Ingredients: salicylic acid, blue algae
Customer Review:
"I have been having issues with small bumps on my forehead, however after using this with two uses it’s been clearing them up!" —alyanna
Pros
- Alcohol- and fragrance-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for oily skin types
Infused with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this toner is more essence-based than astringent. Put it on before your moisturizer, and you'll be amazed at how hydrated and dewy your skin is when you wake up.
Skin Types: sensitive
Key Ingredients: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides
Customer Review:
"Love this toner! Doesn’t burn like other ones I have tried, feels hydrating, and my skin looks better after I use! You get a lot in the bottle for the price." —Kristent136
Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Gentle Daily Fragrance-Free Face Toner
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- No exfoliating ingredients
Yes, it's the formula you know from the light blue bottle—it just has a new look. Without alcohol and with hydrating glycerin, it helps protect the skin barrier rather than strip it.
Skin Types: Sensitive, Normal, Dry, Combination, Acne-Prone, Oily
Key Ingredients: glycerin, panthenol
Customer Review:
"Gentle formula. Gives you a clean facial surface to apply your favorite serum and moisturizer. A must for your skin care" —TheOriginalJRod
Pros
- Gentle formula
Cons
- May be too drying for some skin types
Formulated for oily skin, this gentle toner has a derivative of salicylic acid to mop up oil and exfoliate skin but isn't overly harsh.
Skin Types: Oily
Key Ingredients: LHA, a derivative of salicylic acid; La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
Customer Review:
"I have oily/acne-prone skin with large pores, and honestly, after a few uses, my skin appears smoother, and my pores look smaller. I will continue to incorporate this into my routine." –CC
Thayers Facial Toner with Witch Hazel
Pros
- Non-drying
Cons
- Rose scent may be overpowering for some
Thayers is famous for its toner with witch hazel, containing tannins that soothe and have antioxidants. This bottle also boasts balancing rosewater and aloe for added coddling.
Skin Types: All skin types
Key Ingredients: certified organic witch hazel, rose water, aloe vera
Customer Review:
"I'm 65 now and have been using this toner for at least 10+ years. Not drying, never had any breakouts. The rose scent is lovely and realistic, it does fade quickly. Feels great on the neck and décolleté as well. Great product." —JinWL
Pros
- Refillable
Cons
- Some reviewers complained about the scent
If you don't want to waste cotton pads (or aren't into the reusable ones), consider a toning mist like this one from Byoma. With skin-barrier-boosting ingredients like ceramides and allantoin, it's a great addition before moisturizer or whenever you need a refresh
Skin Types: All skin types
Key Ingredients: Tri-ceramide complex, probiotic ferment, allantoin
Customer Review:
"Very good! My favorite part of my skin care routine. My skin is oily but it craves moisture after I wash it. I spray this after I cleanse and put on serum after and moisturizer, I’ve definitely noticed a difference." —hellosunshine
Versed Baby Cheeks All In One Hydrating Milk
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some reviewers don't love the bottle
This milky toner seemingly does the impossible: Although the consistency is more like moisturizer-lite for your routine, but it won't leave a weird residue or sticky feel. It's a must in winter months or for those with serious dryness.
Skin Types: Dry, Combination, Very Dry
Key Ingredients: algae extract, bamboo extract, coconut water
Customer Review:
"Love this toner!! My skin is so dry and this stuff works great before my serums, face oil and moisturizers." —Natalie H
Pros
- Dye- and alcohol-free
Cons
- Rose scent may be overpowering for some
Rosewater has been used in beauty for generations, and skincare pros still swear by it. This $14 bottle has minimal ingredients to let the Damask rose oil shine—including water that "has been vortexed and magnetized to raise the energy to a higher vibration," if you're into that sort of thing.
Skin Types: Dry, combination
Key Ingredients: Damask rose oil, hyaluronic acid
Customer Review:
"This is my must have toner. If smells great and leave my skin feeling so soft and hydrated. I had stopped using it for a while because i wanted to see if it was really making a difference in my makeup and skin care routine and i noticed a big difference. I wont go without this again." —J
Pros
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- 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 two to three times a week and using a hydrating formula on the off days.
Skin Types: All skin types
Key Ingredients: 5 percent glycolic acid
Customer Review:
"I have been using Pixi products for years and they never disappoint! I have tried more expensive products and always go back to Pixi. This tonic leaves my skin feeling fresh, clean and looking amazing." —Mandi R
Pros
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Contains alcohol
Reviewers are obsessed with the refreshing feel of this $8 toner from e.l.f., with some saying they even keep it in the fridge for added cooling benefits.
Skin Types: Dry, oily, combination
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe, witch hazel
Customer Review:
"This stuff works wonders. My combination skin was driving my crazy. No matter what cream or lotion I would use it wouldn't help the dry areas of my skin. I use this right after cleaning my face and follow up with my face cream. It works wonders. No weird rashes either. 10/10"
Do you need to use toner?
According to Shah, you might actually not. "Toner was created to remove soap residue and lye, and normalize the skin's pH back when cleansers and soaps were pretty harsh on the skin," explains the derm. "Since cleansers today have a similar pH to the normal skin barrier and don't leave harmful residues behind, there really is no need for the traditional toner." If you feel like your cleanser does its job thoroughly, toner is totally optional.
What does toner do?
If you do want to include a toner in your routine, the products above are the right kind, as they aren't stripping to the skin. "Many toners nowadays are really better categorized as an essence, a liquidy formula that delivers specific ingredients to the skin such as salicylic acid, etc.," explains Shah.
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. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.
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