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 the best 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!
OUR TOP 10 BEST TONERS
- Biossance Squalane and BHA Pore Minimising Toner
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
- INNISFREE Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner
- REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
- Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
- Medik8 Press and Glow Tonic
- Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
- OSKIA Floral Water Toner
- Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
THE TOP 10 BEST TONERS
Biossance’ Squalane and BHA Pore Minimising Toner
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. Enter: Biossance’s Squalane and BHA Pore Minimising Toner - our number one in our round up of the best toners. Infused with raw, white willow bark and a powerful blend of BHA’s, this gentle formula, not only unclogs pores without making skin feel tight, but also quenches complexions simultaneously thanks to the infusion of hydrating squalane.
SHOP ALL BIOSSANCE >>>Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
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.
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
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.
INNISFREE Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner
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.
REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
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.
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner
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.
Medik8 Press and Glow Tonic
Medik8's Press and Glow Tonic stands out as one of the best toners for its gentle yet effective exfoliation. Packed with naturally derived AHAs, it brightens and refines skin texture without irritation. Ideal for daily use, it works hard to balance the skin's pH, leaving it refreshed, smooth and glowing. A must-have for anyone seeking a radiant complexion!
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
A standout for its gentle yet effective exfoliation, Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight is enriched with hydrating cactus water to balance skin moisture while refining pores. The 6% blend of PHA and BHA delivers smoothness without irritation, making it suitable for daily use. The result? A radiant complexion for longer.
OSKIA Floral Water Toner
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.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
Last, but by no means least in our round up of the best toners is Dermalogica’s Multi-Active Toner. Like a tall glass of refreshing water for your skin, this innovative solution features a spritz-able formulation for ease and efficiency. Crafted with skin-soothing balm mint, arnica, lavender and a plethora of moisture magnet humectants, this complexion cooler conditions your complexion while balancing your hydration levels.
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?
