As a beauty editor, I’ve tested dozens of the best toners to find the ones that really deliver when it comes to clearing skin without causing irritation. Unlike toners of the past that stripped the skin’s barrier with astringents (a.k.a. alcohol-based formulas), today’s products help address all types of skin concerns. Dealing with dryness? Look for a toner with a hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration. Is redness an issue? Anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide can help calm and soothe skin.
To help you find the best toner for your skin, I tapped dermatologists for their favorites. Then, our Glamour reviewers put them to the test. The one that rose to the top was the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliant because it’s gentle yet effective in reducing inflammation, stubborn pimples, and even fine lines. If you’re looking to increase glow, our testers loved the Korean beauty toner from CosRX, plus other top-rated options below.
The best toners, at a glance
Featured in this article
Best Overall
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
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How we tested toners and what we looked for
We tested toners based on a variety of factors including ingredients, texture, value, and efficacy. After applying the product, we evaluated how it felt, if it soothed the skin, or if there was a burning sensation during application. We looked for formulas that kept our skin looking and feeling fresh and nonstripped, and those that helped shrink pimples in a few uses. We also looked at how our skin improved after weeks of use, and if we noticed fewer breakouts and less redness overall.
Best Overall: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
- Pros: May help smooth wrinkles
- Cons: Too harsh and drying for some reviewers with sensitive skin
Fight clogged pores, blackheads, and acne with the cult-favorite exfoliant from Paula’s Choice. “The maximum-strength salicylic acid in the formula helps keep the pores clear and reduces shine but doesn’t tend to cause irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
What our tester says: “This toner is a game changer if you have oily or aging skin, as I’ve noticed such a massive difference since using it. It helps clarify fine lines and it does an excellent job of shrinking pimples, to the point where it helped calm a huge breakout on my chin in just two uses—seriously, it was flattened and red-free within 48 hours,” says Glamour’s commerce writer, Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Best Pore-Minimizing Toner: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
- Pros: Gentle and hydrating
- Cons: Some reviewers did not like the smell and texture
What makes this bestseller such a winner? “The hero ingredient in this toner is PHA, which is an ultra-gentle cousin to glycolic acid,” explains Dr. Zeichner. “PHA has exfoliating properties and helps promote cellular turnover, which can help flush out blocked pores.” (FYI, the more clogged your pores are, the bigger they’ll appear.) “PHA also has humectant effects, so it pulls in hydration to the outer skin layer, making this a great option for those looking for additional hydration,” Dr. Zeichner adds. Glamour’s Kilkeary is also a fan of this toner because it really gets the job done if you need extra cleansing.
What our tester says: “If my skin feels like it needs some more deep cleaning after washing my face, I reach for this watermelon toner. Not only does it smell lovely, but I like the way it feels on my face during application—it’s jelly-like but nonsticky. It definitely helps remove excess makeup in any nooks and crannies that I missed, so it’s always a go-to when I need a little extra cleansing support.”
Best Toner for Oily Skin: Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic
Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic
- Pros: Potent blend of acids
- Cons: May not be suitable for sensitive skin
“Generally, AHA/BHA toners like those containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for oily and acne-prone skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. So if you struggle with greasiness, let us introduce you to Kilkeary’s favorite toner of all time.
What our tester says: “My skin actually changed when I started using this toner every other day. I typically use it at night (specifically on nights I’m not using retinol), and like to tap it on to oily areas (around my nose and T-zone) with my fingers. My skin has never looked as matte or clarified than it has since adding this into my routine, and I owe it all to the powerful blend of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid. I’ve also never felt a burning sensation while using this (which can sometimes happen with AHA/BHA toners). Instead my skin always looks and feels clean, calm, and clear.”
Best Drugstore Toner: Thayers Hydrating Milky Face Toner
Thayers Hydrating Milky Face Toner
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Thayers Hydrating Milky Face Toner
- Pros: Suitable for dry skin types and flaky areas
- Cons: Won’t address oiliness
For a drugstore option that effectively exfoliates but is gentle on dry and sensitive skin types, we love this milky face toner from Thayers. It has a blend of snow mushroom and hyaluronic acid to help minimize redness and give you soft, glowing skin.
What our tester says: “My skin often gets dry and flaky when the seasons change, so I like to switch over to a gentle toner when this happens. This ultra-hydrating formula does just the trick, and also does a great job getting rid of the excess makeup and dirt on my skin, leaving me looking and feeling clean, fresh and hydrated,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best Toner for Aging Skin: Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2
Clinique Clarifying Lotion
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing Clinique Clarifying Lotion
- Pros: Great for mature skin, helps soften wrinkles and minimize age spots
- Cons: May take a few applications to clear breakouts
If you have mature or aging skin, we love this clarifying lotion toner to help minimize age spots and discoloration. It addresses dullness, dryness and helps minimize the appearance of large pores, thanks to a blend of witch hazel and acetyl glucosamine in the formula.
What our tester says: “Clinique’s ‘lotion’ (it really feels more like a toner) got all the extra gunk off my face without overdrying it, a nice refreshing moment during a sweaty Florida day. It contains witch hazel—I definitely smelled it as I swiped the product over my face and neck with a cotton pad—so I half-expected it to dry out my skin a bit like witch hazel tends to. Happily, it didn’t. The lotion left my oil-prone skin squeaky clean, with the pores on my chin looking tighter. This will be my go-to after my facial soap when I want to feel a deeper clean after a hot day or an evening with a full face of makeup,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine.
Best Milky Toner: Tirtir Milk Skin Rice Toner
Tirtir Milk Skin Rice Toner
Original video from Sarah Y. Wu testing Tirtir Milk Skin Rice Toner
- Pros: Suitable for all skin types; extremely gentle and helps minimize redness
- Cons: The formula is a bit sticky
A milky, or hydrating toner is ideal for redness-prone skin, including those with inflammatory conditions like rosacea. This super gentle milk toner does the job with niacinamide, ceramides, and rice bran extract to soothe and calm irritated skin.
What our tester says: “I personally love this formula for days when my combination skin leans dry. It makes my skin look immediately bouncier and dewier, and my face just drinks it up. You also get a lot of product for the price. I have the mini size here, which is great for travel; the full size is significantly larger,” says Glamour contributor Sarah Y Wu.
Best Toner Pads: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads
Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Max Complexion Correction Pads
Original image of Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads
- Pros: Zaps pimples; good for discoloration and acne scars
- Cons: Stings on application; not suitable for sensitive skin
Toner pads are presoaked one-use pads that make it easy to swipe on a toner formula without having to use a cotton ball or your fingers. This potent pick has a blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, aloe, and allantoin to zap pimples and keep the skin looking clear and fresh.
