Looking for a gentle toner that won’t irritate your skin? Shop our top picks.
All the beauty gurus out there blessed with sensitive skin, we’re right there with you. If your skin is ever itchy, inflamed, and stressed out, then you know how annoying it can be to deal with. So, to save ourselves from future skin agony, we should be cautious about the toners in our beauty arsenal.
Since there’s a bit of confusion surrounding what toner actually does and whether it’s a necessary step in your skincare routine, let’s get the latter out of the way first: Yes, it can have real benefits. Now onto the product search. When specifically looking for gentle toners for your skin, which could be acne-prone or oil-prone, look for soothing ingredients that’ll balance out your skin’s pH level, like rose water, jojoba oil, and other vitamins.
To help sift through the hundreds of options, though, we tapped top dermatologists to share their all-time favorite toners for sensitive skin. We took their recommendations and tried them out for ourselves to see if each lived up to the hype. Spoiler: They did. We then put everything together all in one place so you can read up on the best toners for sensitive skin, according to dermatologists.
Best Overall: Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
“Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner is great for dry and sensitive skin,” explains William KwanMD. “It contains antioxidants and niacinamide to help with fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, it can also help even out skin color on different skin tones, which is something we can get behind.
Best Budget: Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater
For an option that doesn’t break the bank, check out Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner. “This formula gently hydrates and nourishes skin with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E as it cleanses, tones, and refreshes skin,” explains Marina Peredo of Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Because it is alcohol-free, it is best for sensitive skin.” Best of all, it helps maintain its natural balance as it gently removes impurities and reconditions the skin. The result: Skin that feels hydrated and clean without tightness.
New York-based Dendy Engelman, MD, is also a fan. “Toners containing alcohols or witch hazel remove excess oil from the skin and can actually help prevent breakouts for those with acne-prone skin,” she says. “I like Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner. Witch hazel has natural astringent properties, which can help to remove excess sebum from the skin and reduce inflammation of pimples. This toner is alcohol-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish and hydrate even sensitive skin.
Best Toning Lotion: Avène Gentle Toning Lotion
“While toners were previously drying as an astringent to the skin, nowadays, formulations are much more elegant and thoughtful,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, of New York’s Downtown Dermatology. “I do recommend to all my patients, whether they are acne-prone or dry and sensitive skin, to avoid alcohol-based toners altogether.” In fact, she actually views toners as an additional step in the cleansing process. Ingredients that can be beneficial for sensitive skin are moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, antioxidants like vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. This formula from Avéne strikes the perfect balance between moisturizing and being lightweight.
Best Mist: Knours. Double Duty Mist
“The Knours. Double Duty Mist is much more sophisticated than most toners,” explains Sloan Kettering’s Anthony M. Rossi, MD. “It contains squalene and jojoba oils to help trap and retain moisture. It is gentle enough to use when the skin is inflamed, which is different from other ‘traditional toners.’ Having the variety in this toner as well for when you need more moisturizing oils is great to adapt to changing skin needs.”
Best Mist, Runner-Up: Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
“Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is perfect for sensitive dry skin types,” explains Kwan. “It contains rose water, which is one of my favorite natural moisturizers; aloe vera; and marshmallow root to hydrate the skin without irritation.”
Best Drugstore: Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
This affordable toner is a beauty staple, but it’s also especially great for sensitive skin, thanks to soothing ingredients like aloe vera and the brand’s proprietary witch hazel extract. There are also different scents to choose from, including lavender, cucumber, and rose petal. According to board-certified dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, witch hazel works great in a pinch or if you’re on a budget.
Best With Aloe Vera: Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
Aloe vera is a master at calming, soothing, and hydrating, so it makes total sense that this classic toner is on our list for sensitive skin. Plus, its formula is alcohol- and fragrance-free, so it’s extra gentle.
Best Soothing: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
When you hear the words oat milk, you may think of what you added to your iced coffee this morning. But it’s also an ingredient in this First Aid Beauty toner, which harnesses the power of oats (the formula also includes wild oats and colloidal oatmeal) to soothe the skin ASAP. From there, propolis extract (a derivative of honey) and hyaluronic acid provide a calming, hydrating boost. A bonus? This product is also gluten- and cruelty-free.
Best Refreshing: Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol Free Toner
“The Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner cleanses and refreshes all skin types, including oily,” explains dermatologic surgeon Michelle Henry, MD. “But the plant-based, soothing ingredients make it gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.”
Best Exfoliating: ProActiv Revitalizing Toner
“Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is an alcohol-free toner and contains botanical extracts that gently exfoliates which is great for sensitive skin,” says cosmetic dermatologist Cindy Yoon-Soo Bae, MD. Given that it contains glycolic acid to slowly exfoliate and soften the skin, it makes sense why she likes it so much.
Best Antioxidant-Rich Formula: Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist Toner
Levin also likes the Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist for its ingredients—vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea. “This works great for more of an anti-aging step but still for sensitive skin,” Levin adds. All skin types (even acne-prone) and tones can benefit from the cooling properties of this toner.
Best Texture: Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water
Toners with glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. “I like Sulwahsoo Essential Balancing Water, which has a watery gel-like texture,” explains Engelman. “Toners are essential in the K-beauty routine; Korean beauty-lovers look to it to provide hydration and balance the pH of the skin.”
Best Calming: ZO Skin Health Calming Toner
“The best toner for sensitive skin is the ZO Skin Health Calming Toner,” says plastic surgeon Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, FACS. “It acts as an anti-irritant and contains a blend of conditioners that help soothe and hydrate the skin.” Thanks to a blend of witch hazel and glycolic acid, oily and sensitive skin types alike will reap the benefits of this exfoliating yet soothing elixir.
Best Hydrating: Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Toner
Not all toners are made equal, says Fusco. “There are a variety of toners that contain skin-nourishing ingredients that can nourish, treat conditions, and be part of a great skin layering regimen; for example, the Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Toner contains peptides, which improve skin tone and elasticity,” she says. “This layers well with other products and can be used year-round without drying out the skin. It’s also great for sun-damaged skin.”
Final Verdict
Contrary to popular belief, you can use a toner if you have sensitive skin—so long as it’s an appropriate formula. The Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner earns our top vote, which has the added benefit of containing anti-aging antioxidants and niacinamide. We also like the Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water, infused with hydrating and glycerin to give it a beautiful, gel-like texture. And for those who prefer an easy-to-use mist, both the Knours. Double Duty Mist and Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist are ideal for sensitive skin.
What To Look For in a Toner for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients
Alcohol isn’t bad in all toners, but if you have sensitive skin, steer clear, as it can be way too harsh and drying. Look for formulas made with nourishing, balancing, and calming ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, and rosewater. The Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner contains all three and comes highly recommended by dermatologists (it’s also affordable and available at your nearest drugstore). There are also a variety of rosewater sprays on the market.
Benefits
Your easily stressed-out skin can use all the extra soothing it can get, including from your toner. Formulas that contain jojoba oil and vitamin E, like the Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater, for example, are sensitive skin-friendly, and incredibly soothing. Toners (like the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist) can also be used to remove excess oil, thus balancing out an uneven skin tone
Size
The size of the toner you buy matters, especially because it dictates how much use you’ll get out of it. The larger the bottle, the more you’ll be able to use it. While this is the case for most products, you’ll want to look for a larger toner as it’s something you’ll apply daily.
FAQ
What does a toner do?
“Toners are skincare products that have the consistency of water,” Joshua Zeichner, the director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York tells Byrdie. “Traditionally, they were used to remove excess oil from the skin and were especially useful for people who had acne. Those products contain high concentrations of alcohol and therefore were drying. Today’s toners contain a variety of soothing, brightening, and anti-aging ingredients.” The new school of toners are meant to nourish your complexion after cleansing and help the products you layer on afterward better absorb into your skin.
How should I use a toner in my skincare routine?
Toner should be used after cleansing your skin but before applying any serums, creams, or sunscreen.
Is toner the same as astringent?
“In general, both toners and astringents are designed to manage key issues at the skin surface, such as oiliness and irritation,” Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Byrdie. Astringents are usually alcohol-based, which can help dry up excess oil but also irritate the skin. Because they’re typically water-based, toners tend to be less harsh and include hydrating ingredients like rose water, flower essence, or hyaluronic acid.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any toners for sensitive skin from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at [email protected] and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
