alpha hydroxy acid toner

15 BEST TONERS FOR DRY SKIN

Dry skin can feel tight, rough, and flaky. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including weather, genetics, and aging. Toners can be a great addition to your skincare routine for dry skin, as they can help to remove impurities, balance your skin’s pH, and prepare it for moisturizer. But with so many toners on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Here’s a guide to the 15 best toners for dry skin.

OUR TOP PICKS 

CERAVE HYDRATING TONER

CeraVe’s soothing toner offers a refreshing dose of hydration and nourishment for your skin, thanks to its key ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. This 6.8 oz product is particularly well-suited for individuals with active skincare routines, as it replenishes moisture and strengthens the skin’s barrier. Despite some reports of stickiness by a few reviewers, its hydrating formula leaves skin feeling soothed and revitalized.

ELTAMD SKIN RECOVERY ESSENCE TONER

This toner from CeraVe is suitable for all skin types due to its gentle formula and high-quality ingredients. Free of alcohol and fragrance, it preserves the skin’s natural oils and features a patented blend of amino acids that soothe irritation and enhance the skin barrier. Reviewers praise its effectiveness in reducing pore size and improving wrinkles, with noticeable results from the first use. However, a few users found the formula to be too drying for their skin. Available in a 7.3 oz size, this toner offers gentle and calming benefits for a variety of skincare needs.

TOWER 28 SOS DAILY RESCUE FACIAL SPRAY

Tower28’s red spray bottle toner has garnered popularity for its gentle, non-irritating formula that improves skin tone and is suitable for all skin types. Free of fragrance and housed in a convenient spray bottle, this toner contains hypochlorous acid, known for its calming and purifying properties. Endorsed by the National Eczema Association, it effectively soothes eczema flare-ups, inflamed acne, and perioral dermatitis. While some users find the spray a bit harsh, the lightweight formula quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving it hydrated, radiant, and refreshed. Despite the desire for a finer mist, the toner’s efficacy in calming irritation and promoting skin healing makes it a popular choice among skincare enthusiasts.

PAULA’S CHOICE SKIN PERFECTING 6% MANDELIC ACID + 2% LACTIC ACID LIQUID EXFOLIANT

If you’re looking for a toner that gently exfoliates while also hydrating dry skin, Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant is a great option. This unique formula combines two alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) – mandelic acid and lactic acid – to remove dead skin cells without irritation. Mandelic acid is known for being gentler on skin than other AHAs, making it a good choice for those with sensitive skin. Lactic acid, a naturally occurring AHA, helps to hydrate and plump the skin. This exfoliating toner can help to improve the appearance of dry skin by smoothing rough texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and brightening the complexion. It’s also formulated to be fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY DAILY GLOW TONER WITH NIACINAMIDE

Charlotte Tilbury’s lightweight solution is suitable for all skin types and doesn’t contain any harsh acids. It uses niacinamide, a type of vitamin B3, which helps to brighten the skin and has multiple benefits like calming, moisturizing, and strengthening the skin. Sephora customers love it because it’s gentle, clears pores, and improves skin texture, making it great for preparing the skin before applying makeup. It’s particularly good for people using strong retinoids, as it doesn’t contain drying or irritating ingredients like BHA or AHA. Even if you’re using retinol, you can safely use this product alongside it. It’s praised for its nice texture and hydrating formula, but it’s on the pricey side. You get 5 ounces of product in each bottle.

SK-II CLEAR LOTION SKIN TONER

The SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner is praised for its ability to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin without any fragrance. It’s suitable for all skin types. The main ingredient, Pitera™, along with AHAs, helps to improve skin texture by providing essential nutrients. Users find it hydrating and soothing, noticing immediate improvements in dullness and texture. It effectively cleans pores, even picking up dirt missed during face washing. However, some users note that the bottle can leak a bit, so caution is advised when pouring the slightly runny solution from the frosted bottle.

LA MER THE ESSENTIAL TONIC

La Mer’s The Essential Tonic is a luxurious choice for hydrating and refreshing your skin. Despite being on the pricey side, its key ingredients, including Miracle Broth and marine ferment, provide deep moisture and soothing benefits. It’s designed to complement La Mer’s Creme de La Mer moisturizer, enveloping your skin in hydration. With a perfect 5-star rating on Sephora, it’s hailed as the best splurge toner for those looking to indulge in high-quality skincare. Available in a 6.7 oz size, this tonic offers a lavish addition to your skincare routine.

CLÉ DE PEAU BEAUTÉ ESSENTIAL REFINING ESSENCE

Toners like this one, which contain alcohol and succinic acid, are adept at managing sebum production, thus diminishing surface shine and greasiness on the skin. The incorporation of hyaluronic acid and glycerin in this formula is applauded for preventing excessive dryness. Many individuals with oily skin regard this toner as a valuable investment, commending its capacity to regulate oil levels and impart a revitalizing radiance that lasts all day. Users appreciate its cooling sensation and its ability to enhance makeup application. Nonetheless, it is considered expensive, and some reviewers express dissatisfaction with the scent. Each bottle holds 5.7 ounces of product.

MURAD CLARIFYING TONER

Many people who care about their skin choose the Murad Clarifying Toner to help get rid of blemishes and make their skin clearer and healthier. This toner has special things like witch hazel extract, which makes pores smaller and reduces redness. It also takes away extra oil and dirt from your skin without making it too dry. There are good things in it like grape seed extract and vitamin E that protect your skin from things that can make it worse, like pollution. People like how it feels fresh and makes their skin clean and full of energy. It’s great for skin that’s oily or gets acne often. Using the Murad Clarifying Toner can be an important part of making your skin look better and clearer.

SKINCARE JUNKIE PORE THERAPY DAILY TONER PADS

People who love taking care of their skin really like using Skincare Junkie Pore Therapy Daily Toner Pads. These pads have a strong formula that helps make your skin look fresh, brighter, and less crowded with dirt and oil. They have important stuff like salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid that clean out your pores and make your skin smoother. They also have fruit enzymes and PHAs that make your skin look better and feel nicer, along with hyaluronic acid that keeps your skin hydrated. On Amazon, they got a perfect 5-star rating, and people say they’re the best for getting beautiful skin. Each pack comes with 50 pads, so you have plenty for your everyday skincare routine.

THE ORDINARY GLYCOLIC ACID 7% TONING SOLUTION

In the quest for clearer skin, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution steps up as a champion for blemish-prone and acne-faring complexions. This toner packs a punch with 7% glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that acts as a chemical exfoliant. By gently dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, it helps clear clogged pores, reducing the appearance of blemishes and preventing future breakouts. However, unlike some harsh acne treatments, The Ordinary’s toner boasts a formulation that prioritizes balance. Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative is included to lessen the potential for irritation that AHAs can sometimes cause on sensitive skin. This toner also aims to improve overall skin texture and tone, promoting a smoother and brighter appearance. 

INNISFREE GREEN TEA HYALURONIC ACID TONER

Innisfree’s Green Tea Facial Toner is praised for its ability to calm and soothe irritated skin, thanks to its key ingredients: panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and green tea tri-biotics™. Green tea is renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can effectively alleviate skin irritation, redness, and swelling. This toner harnesses the balancing benefits of green tea leaves in a lightweight liquid formula that feels gentle on the skin. With a size of 6.8 fluid ounces, this product offers ample supply for daily use. Keep in mind that Innisfree’s Green Tea Facial Toner is not cruelty-free.

HARUHARU WONDER BLACK RICE HYALURONIC TONER FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

The Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice toner is made especially for sensitive skin, giving it a gentle but good treatment. It has ingredients like rice extract and hyaluronic acid that calm and hydrate your skin. With fermented black rice extract and other good stuff, it helps sensitive skin. K-beauty is famous for using ingredients that soothe the skin without causing irritation, and this toner does just that. But, some people say it can sometimes make your skin feel a bit dry. Each bottle has 5.1 ounces of product, so you have enough for your skincare routine.

PIXI GLOW TONIC

For those with combination skin, which can be oily in some areas and dry in others, finding the right balance is key. Pixi Glow Tonic might be your perfect match. This toner contains 5% glycolic acid, a gentle yet effective AHA that exfoliates to remove dead skin cells and excess oil. This can help to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores in oily areas, while also promoting smoother texture and a brighter tone overall. Pixi Glow Tonic goes beyond just exfoliation, though. It’s formulated with soothing ingredients like ginseng and aloe vera to calm and hydrate, addressing dryness concerns. This balance of exfoliation and hydration makes it a good option for combination skin, helping to regulate oil production without stripping away essential moisture.

RENEE ROULEAU ELDERBERRY SOOTHING TONER

Infused with elderberry fruit extract, sodium PCA, and biosaccharide gum-1, this alcohol-free toner offers anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, perfect for sensitive skin. Users appreciate its ability to balance and relax the skin, preventing post-cleanse discomfort and promoting a healthy glow. Additionally, it’s noted for reducing hyperpigmentation and is suitable for sensitive, breakout-prone skin due to its minimal ingredient list. With anti-aging benefits packed in, this toner offers a comprehensive solution for skincare needs. Each bottle contains 6 fluid ounces of product, and it’s cruelty-free.

WHAT CAN FACIAL TONER DO FOR YOUR SKIN?

In the past, toners were mainly used to control oily skin and acne, especially in teenagers. But now, they’ve changed a lot. Toners today are made for different skin types and problems to help you take better care of your skin.

Usually, toners are used after washing your face to prepare it for other skincare products like serums and moisturizers. They work quickly to get into your skin and remove any leftover makeup or dirt. Some toners have acids that help remove dead skin cells and make your skin smoother. Others focus on hydrating your skin to keep it moisturized. Basically, the type of toner you use decides what it does for your skin.

HOW DO YOU APPLY FACIAL TONER?

Applying facial toner is easy and can be done in just a few simple steps:

Start with a freshly cleansed face: Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face and pat it dry with a clean towel.

Pour or spray the toner onto a cotton pad: Shake the toner bottle if needed, then pour a small amount of toner onto a cotton pad. Alternatively, some toners come in spray bottles, allowing you to mist it directly onto your face.

Swipe the cotton pad across your face: Gently sweep the saturated cotton pad across your face, avoiding the delicate eye area. Focus on areas that may be oilier or have more impurities, such as the forehead, nose, and chin (T-zone).

Allow the toner to dry: Let the toner absorb into your skin for a few seconds to a minute before moving on to the next step in your skincare routine.

Follow with moisturizer: Once the toner has dried, apply your favorite moisturizer to lock in hydration and complete your skincare routine.

CONCLUSION

Do you really need toner? Yes, toner is really necessary for the skin. And finding the best toner for dry skin is important for maintaining hydrated and healthy skin. With many options available, it is essential to consider factors such as ingredients, hydration levels and skin sensitivity when choosing the right toner for your needs. From alcohol-free formulas infused with hyaluronic acid to soothing toners infused with plant extracts, there are toners designed to address specific dry skin concerns. (rewrite this)

THE 15 BEST TONERS FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN IN 2024

If you suffer from acne, it may be time to incorporate a toner into your daily skincare routine. However, before settling on any recipe, it’s critical to evaluate your specific skin type to choose the best toner for you. We spent hours investigating the most popular alternatives on the market to locate the finest toners for acne-prone skin. We trimmed the list by taking into account criteria such as components, advantages, and overall value. It’s now time to select the best lotion for acne-prone skin.

Ole Henrikson Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

Considered as one of the best toners for oily skin, this toner contains three hydroxy acids, which pack a powerful punch against oil and acne. They act together to “exfoliate the skin, clear pores, and reduce sebum production, while witch hazel tightens pores and reduces oil further.” But don’t be concerned about it drying out your skin—botanical oils like green tea, eucalyptus, algae, and Irish moss work to moisturize, soothe inflammation, and deliver an antioxidant boost.

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Anti-Redness Exfoliating Solution

This toner is excellent for acne-prone skin. It does assist with redness, oily skin, and acne-prone skin. This gentle leave-on exfoliator clears breakouts, unclogs and reduces pores, and fades red stains from previous breakouts. With ingredients like salicylic acid and BHA to treat blemishes and green tea to soothe redness, it’s no surprise that this toner is an acne-fighting workhorse. It is said to prevent breakouts, said many reviewers who have used it for a while. Yet, there are a few people expressing their disappointment towards this product, saying they have found no difference before and after using it. 

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Toner

This clarifying toner from La Roche-Posay prevents acne while also brightening your complexion. The oil-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free liquid product is ideal for individuals with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin. It has 0.5% salicylic acid and 0.5% glycolic acid. This exfoliating pair works tirelessly to improve the appearance and feel of your skin. This toner is recommended for people with oily and acne prone skin (that’s why it is called the best toners for acne) as well as those who have frequent breakouts on their face. 

Murad Clarifying Toner

Murad’s Clarifying Face Toner is a refreshing product that eliminates oil and pollutants while refreshing skin. The product is designed to address skin issues such as breakouts, acne scars, and redness and is aimed at people who have oily skin. The bottle is simple to use and delivers the exact amount of product required. Because of the witch hazel and algae extract, the clear liquid does not feel oily. The toner is intended to provide an additional wash when needed, and it does so with a delightful cooling sensation that leaves the skin firmer but not dry.

VICHY Purete Thermale Perfecting Toner

Pureté Thermale Toner is an alcohol-free, ultra-gentle toner that cleanses and hydrates skin for a clean, rejuvenated appearance. After using, the skin is left soft, vibrant, and pleasant. This is one of the best toners for dry skin, and it contains glycerin to moisturize as well as mineral-rich volcanic water to reinforce the skin. This product is alcohol-free and paraben-free, ensuring it is safe for sensitive skin. Furthermore, this toner is really different from other products as it can remove makeup residue and impurities. 

Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Toner

To purify, exfoliate, and visibly decongest acne-prone skin, use this oil-absorbing, mattifying, and pore-minimizing salicylic acid toner with soothing grape and rose water. Natural salicylic acid and botanicals are used to visibly reduce oil on the skin and lessen the appearance of pores and blackheads. This non-comedogenic salicylic acid toner visibly tightens pores and mattifies skin while diminishing facial flaws. This Caudalie toner works like a vacuum for your pores, and it has proven its effectiveness. Many customers have reported their skin being clearer after using the product. Because of the additional grape seed water and rosewater, the formula is non-irritating and safe for sensitive skin, and it will reduce inflammation and enhance your glow.

Charlotte Tilbury Daily Glow Toner

If you’re not a fan of acids, try this brightening toner. This high-performance ACID-FREE toner is enriched with high-performance ingredients, including the balancing, smoothing, and pore-refining properties of Niacinamide, resurfacing acid-alternatives Super Peptide Royalepigen P5, and plant-derived, pore-minimizing. Prickly pear extract is used to gently resurface skin, and red clover extract is used to decrease the appearance of pores. At the same time, it provides peptides and niacinamide to the skin, giving it a beautiful gleam.

Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

Tower28 is well-known for its sensitive skin-friendly makeup and skincare formulations, but this toner—which comes in a firetruck red spray bottle—is well-known for its magical ability to soothe, purify, and restore stressed-out skin. It carries the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which means it has been shown to help with eczema flare-ups, but it also helps with inflammatory acne and perioral dermatitis. This purifying face spray is pH adjusted to assist soothe and is suitable for all skin types. It is designed for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, and can be applied anywhere on your body.

Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner

Pixi’s cult-classic exfoliating toner has become a favorite among many influencers. This is because this all-in-one choice addresses several skin conditions, making it ideal for persons with combination skin. It contains oil-removing astringents, soothing aloe, exfoliating glycolic acid, and hydrating humectants, all of which are powerful toner components. It is highly recommended to use in the morning or evening, as needed. Directions: Wash your face. Using a cotton pad, apply Glow Tonic to your face, neck, and decolletage (avoiding the eye area). After that, apply a serum or moisturizer.

Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion

Originally developed in 1964, there’s a reason why this toner has remained a staple among Kiehl’s broad array of skincare products ever since. It regulates and calms greasy skin, while camphor and menthol provide cooling and refreshing sensations. It can be used all over, but it also works well as a spot treatment if you only have a few oily spots to tackle, such as your T-zone. To use the product, wet a sterile cotton pad with the oily skin toner, and then apply to affected regions of skin without making eye contact with the said product to avoid any harm. This product effectively works on oily skin and acne prone skin. 

COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner

This alcohol-free Korean toner from cult favorite brand COSRX is created with soothing Centella water that glides on gently – ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s also cruelty- and paraben-free, as well as hypoallergenic. The Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner contains centella asiatica leaf water, which helps to calm irritated red skin, and Jeju Island mineral water, which leaves skin glowing, smooth, and hydrated. The toner is ideal for nourishing irritable and sensitive skin and has a relaxing effect. While this toner lacks the exfoliating power of some of the others on our list, it is a perfect way for anyone with sensitive skin that is easily irritated to balance the pH of their skin without any redness or inflammation.

Buttah Skin AHA/BHA Rosewater Toner

Buttah Rosewater Toner contains calming rose water that acts to reduce redness and inflammation. Being one of the toners with rosewater, it effectively balances the pH of skin and reduces oily residue as well as soothing redness and irritated skin.  It also contains chemicals that act as a buffer to offset the low concentration of exfoliating acids delivered to the skin. Most importantly, aloe vera prevents those acids from stripping or irritating the skin by restoring water. Customers like how quickly the toner sank into our skin, leaving no tightness or sticky residue. 

SK-II Clear Lotion Skin Toner

The moisturizing toner contains PITERATM, which is a trademark ingredient comprising 50 micronutrients and is the star of the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner, and AHA, which exfoliate and remove pollutants and dead skin surface cells. The micronutrients, along with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), work to improve your skin’s overall appearance, beginning with uneven skin texture. It prepares the skin for the rest of your skincare routine by conditioning the skin’s surface for a velvety finish. Upon use, the toner felt moisturizing and relaxing, and it immediately helped to improve dullness and texture. Due to the high price, it can be hard to get for many people, yet the quality is worth the price, said many customers.

Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Eliminating Astringent

This oil-control astringent for acne-prone skin is used on a regular basis to treat acne and prevent future breakouts and blackheads. It’s also soft enough to apply in the morning, noon, and night because it won’t bother or dry out your skin. The acne-fighting toner, made with witch hazel and 2% salicylic acid, is strong enough to deep clean pores and remove dirt, oil, and makeup that could otherwise cause outbreaks, yet gentle enough to use morning, afternoon, and night. While the widespread ideal of decreasing pores remains a pipe dream, Neutrogena’s astringent will help de-clog your pores, making them appear smaller.

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Dickinson’s toner is a drugstore bargain at only 49 cents per ounce, making it a GH Beauty Lab expert pick as well as a consumer favorite. This astringent, which contains only one ingredient, distilled witch hazel, has been a part of people’s beauty routine, thanks to its purifying and pore-minimizing advantages for their oily complexion. However, because it contains witch hazel, it may not provide enough moisturizing and softening properties for dry skin.

CONCLUSION 

To summarize, the best toner for acne-prone skin can transform your skincare routine. It treats acne, decreases inflammation, and diminishes the appearance of pores with its gentle yet effective mix. Say good-bye to acne and welcome to a cleaner, smoother complexion. With this amazing toner, you may embrace confidence and glowing skin.