Toners have a reputation for drying your skin out and potentially causing more irritation. However, with the right ingredients, toners can be beneficial—especially if you have acne-prone skin. Active ingredients include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which are both known to rid the pores of dirt and debris while smoothing the skin. “Look for glycolic and salicylic acid, which help to get rid of dead skin and unclog pores,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, dermatologist and founder of a New-York based private practice.
Also important in toners are alcohol-free formulas and ones that incorporate moisturizing ingredients to help hydrate your skin. We spoke with dermatologists and evaluated toners for their active ingredients, how well they moisturize, packaging, and price.
Here are the best toners for acne-prone skin that are on the market today.
Use this toner after washing your face to act as a secondary cleanser, while restoring moisture. This BIossance toner is both alcohol- and paraben-free, so it won’t cause extra irritation. While the price per ounce is higher than many of the other products on our list, we think the formula is worth it.
Price at time of publication: $30
The glycolic acid in this toner helps unclog and reduce the appearance of pores by gently exfoliating the skin. But, it is important to note, that this toner is higher in potency with its 7% glycolic acid. This means that you should use it at most once per day after cleansing. If you’re new to using exfoliating acids, we recommend starting even slower and using it every other day at first.
We like that this toner is alcohol-free, a characteristic that is important to look for to avoid stripping the skin and drying it out. But that doesn’t mean it’s hydrating. In fact, this toner is better for cleansing and exfoliating. While you always want to follow toner with a moisturizer, you definitely shouldn’t skip that step when using this one from The Ordinary.
Price at time of publication: $9
For best results, use this toner once per day on clean, dry skin after cleansing. It should work to rebalance the skin’s pH and leave beyond skin looking and feeling healthier.
Price at time of publication: $9
We like that it relies on vitamin C to fight dullness, while also leveraging moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, essential fatty acids and oils, and phospholipids. The product is also alcohol-free—another plus for the hydrating formula. This toner is ideal for anyone who is experiencing skin sensitivity and flakiness from their use of retinol or retinoids, because of how moisturizing it is.
Price at time of publication: $45
In addition to salicylic acid, this toner from Farmacy contains moringa extract, moringa water, and papaya enzymes help it exfoliate, cleanse, and eliminate shine. Plus, the inclusion of chlorella makes this an antioxidant rich toner that can help tame redness and inflammation. Make sure to follow this toner with a good moisturizer and, if using it during the day, sun protection.
Price at time of publication: $30
Since the product incorporates BHAs and AHAs, it is perfect for the body, while still being gentle enough for those with normal to sensitive skin types (on their face). We like that this toner from La Roche-Posay is paraben-, oil-, and fragrance-free and has antioxidant ingredients to soothe, but it lacks the moisturizing ingredients present in some of the other toners on our list. Whether you use this on your face or body, make sure you follow up with a good moisturizer.
Price at time of publication: $30
Then the hyaluronic acid works to hydrate the barrier so that it is hydrated and feels supple with a dewy glow. Watermelon extract is also incorporated into the formula to soothe the skin while providing essential vitamins and amino acids to the barrier.
Price at time of publication: $34
What to Look for in a Toner for Acne
Ingredients to Look For
The most important consideration when shopping for toners and other skincare products is the type of ingredients used in the formula. At a minimum, you need an ingredient that clarifies and cleans dirt and debris from pores. Ideally, these clarifying ingredients will be paired with hydrating ingredients that help replenish your skin’s moisture barrier.
AHAs and BHAs: Toners that incorporate AHAs and BHAs, depending on the potency, are beneficial for acne-prone skin, because those ingredients target stubborn blemishes. AHAs and BHAs might not be listed as such directly on the label, so it’s helpful to know some of their other names. Salicylic acid is a common BHA and glycolic acid is a common AHA.
“Toners with salicylic acid are my top choice for an acne toner,” Dr. Bailey says. “Salicylic acid has the ability to penetrate deeply into oily pores to break up pore-clogging debris and blackheads so that all other treating ingredients can better penetrate into the pores, where acne lesions begin. Glycolic acid is an AHA that helps unclog pores and brightens the complexion,” Dr. Bailey says. “I like to combine it with salicylic acid in an acne toner.”
Witch Hazel: If a toner doesn’t have AHAs or BHAs, chances are good that the key ingredient is witch hazel. This natural astringent has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce oil and remove impurities from your pores, effectively cleansing your skin. Moisturizers: Hydrating ingredients, like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, can help counteract the potent acne-fighting ingredients in toners. “Toners often contain salicylic acid, which is typically used for acne but can dry the skin out,” says Ronda Farah, MD, dermatologist and assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Minnesota.
Ingredients to Avoid
In addition to avoiding ingredients that you know irritate your skin, make sure you’re avoiding products with the following ingredients.
Alcohol: Keep an eye out for labels stating that the product is alcohol-free. “Toners typically also contain alcohol, which can irritate the skin,” Dr. Farah says. This is one ingredient that dermatologists advise people to avoid if they decide to incorporate a toner into their skincare because of the drying effects. “[Alcohol] is a powerful degreasing agent to remove excess sebum from extremely oily skin or stubborn oily product residue,” Dr. Bailey says. “Unfortunately, it may also remove important barrier lipids in your skin’s outer layer, called the stratum corneum. Lipids in this outer protective layer of your skin help prevent skin dehydration and irritation. ” Selecting alcohol-free toners will prevent the removal of barrier lipids so that the skin remains hydrated, even when potent ingredients like salicylic acid are incorporated into the product. Fragrance: Put this one on the list of ingredients to avoid, especially if you have sensitive skin. Fragrance might make your toner or skin care products smell appealing (or mask fragrances; be wary of labels saying that a product is “unscented,” as there might be fragrance added to mask another scented ingredient), but it can be irritating.
Use
Skin type and the reaction to a product will help influence how often a toner should be used in a daily skincare routine. When someone suffers from acne-prone skin, they can overuse a product to remove the excess oils, but that can have the opposite impact. When you overstrip oil from your skin, it triggers an overproduction of oil that can actually lead to an excess.
“Overuse of toners is a common mistake that can lead to excessive dryness and skin irritation,” Dr. Bailey says. “Toners remove sebum but are at risk of removing intercellular lipids that create barrier integrity in the natural waterproofing layer of your skin called the stratum corneum. You don’t ever want to remove these lipids, because it leads to increased Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), skin dehydration, and ultimately skin irritation.”
Depending on the skin type, Dr. Jaliman says that the toner can be used once or twice per day. However, this advice changes among dermatologists when the skin starts to react to a new toner. “At the first sign of dryness, reduce usage until you find the sweet spot for your unique complexion,” Dr. Bailey says. Some people might find that a toner does not work for their skin.
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If you notice that the toner you are using is causing increased dryness, then consider tapering back how often you use it, or try a different product.
However, if you find that toners have been beneficial for your skin, then Dr. Bailey recommends using the product based on your skin type. “I usually recommend using a toner twice daily after washing and towel-drying your skin,” she says. “If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to use a toner only when you have heavy oil or product residue or your skin is excessively soiled.” One benefit of using a toner is that it acts as a second cleanse on the skin after using a cleanser to remove any lingering dirt or debris. “Most toners are applied with a cotton pad, giving you the opportunity to see how much dirt and product residue your toner is removing,” Dr. Bailey adds.
