Toner
Facial toners are the instantly refreshing, clarifying skincare step you didn’t know you needed. Featuring powerful active ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid, the right toner will work to remove excess oil, reduce acne, boost hydration and prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. Find the formula to suit your skin’s needs in our edit, featuring bestsellers from The Ordinary’s exfoliating 7% glycolic acid toner to Byoma’s hydrating milky toner.
Check out which products are best suited to your skin.
Your Questions, Answered
A toner is a lightweight, water-like formula applied after cleansing and before the rest of your skincare routine. It helps to refresh and ‘prime’ the skin, creating the perfect base for serums, moisturisers, and SPF.
Toners provide multiple benefits depending on their formulation. They can:
- Remove any lingering makeup, dirt, or cleanser residue.
- Rebalance your skin's natural pH.
- Deliver a boost of hydration.
- Enhance absorption of your next skincare steps.
There are two main categories of toners:
Hydrating toners – These are packed with nourishing ingredients like ceramides to help replenish moisture. For example, the Laneige toner is designed to deeply hydrate and support your skin barrier.
Exfoliating toners – These contain gentle acids such as glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells and clear pores. A great option is the Medik8 Press and Glow toner, which helps to refine skin texture and promote a brighter complexion.
After cleansing, apply your toner to a cotton pad or your hands and gently sweep or pat it onto your skin. Let it absorb for about a minute before continuing with serums, moisturiser, and SPF (if used in the morning).
Most hydrating toners can be used daily, while exfoliating formulas should be introduced gradually (2–3 times per week) to avoid over-exfoliation and irritation.