These 11 Toners Are the Way to Your Skin’s Freshness and Youthfulness, According to Dermatologists

Toners have always seemed a little mysterious to me, as it is for many others. Toners, like most of my other skincare products, felt like an “should”, without a clear understanding of why. Even though I had the best intentions, I would apply my toner every night before going to bed. Result? An irritationly dry skin. I decided to back off and tried a less-is more approach. Another benefit to many of these toners is their effectiveness. These powerful toners can remove years of your skin. This was something I discovered when I first heard about it. I began to research further. So I reached out to the top skincare professionals and delved into the best anti-aging products.

You may be more knowledgeable than me about the magic world of skin-brightening lotions. This step can make dull or dry skin look radiant. If you want glowing, healthy skin, it is important to have a hydrated and healthy complexion. To find out all about toners (and their expert-backed recommendations), Dr. Alexis Parcells was tapped. She is a board-certified surgeon and founder at SUNNIE, a skin care and anti-aging clinic. Dr. Shuting Hu, the founder of Acaderma and Dr. Elizabeth Geddes are dermatologists.

This product is a powerhouse. They provided all the details. How to use it, which skin types are most suited for toners, and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. Let’s dive in!

Is it necessary to use toner on everyone? Which skin types are most suited to using a toner?

Before you book your ticket to toner city, think about whether you really need one. Is it just another skincare “should”, that will irritate your skin? Song suggests that toners are a good option if your skin is oily or dry.

Song notes: “Choosing the right toner for your skin is important for hydration, and daily use of it is important for anti-inflammation.” Toners can be beneficial for oily and dehydrated skin. They help even out the oil distribution and prevent skin dehydration.

What are the benefits to using a toner?

Although I enjoy the indulgence of skin-lovin’, I would be lying to say that I am laser-focused on the results for my skin. There are many benefits to using toners, especially those in the list below. Dr. Hu suggests using it as the foundation of your skincare routine. Toner is the best preparation. It allows your skin to absorb any serum or moisturizer more effectively.” She stresses the importance of toner for your skin’s pH level and praises the product for its ability reduce the appearance of pores as well as its ability to repair your skin barrier.

Dr. Parcells says toners’ evolution is a key reason why they are so effective in keeping your skin radiant and youthful. Toners were often made with harsh alcohols, which left skin dry and irritated. This increased inflammation and worsened conditions like rosacea, eczema and acne. After years of experimentation, she notes that the “newer generation” of toners is still effective in removing debris but focuses more on replenishing and nourishing skin. Needless to say, I am convinced.

Toners can help skin look younger

The best part is yet to come. Dr. Hu explains that toners can include a range of ingredients that promote youthful skin. These ingredients include AHA, lactic acids, and hyaluronic acids. AHA and lactic acids remove dryness and flakiness while hyaluronic Acid moisturizes to give you glowing skin.

Dr. Parcells builds on that list with anti-aging ingredients and adds a mix exfoliating/hydrating heavy hitters. These are her two favorite products. “Glycerin, aloe vera. It helps your skin absorb products by restoring its natural acidic pH.”

Dr. Parcells adds: “Also, toners have also been known to remove oils, shrink pores and close cell gaps to reduce environmental contaminants entering the skin.” Some toners have humectants that help to bind moisture to skin. This gives you a youthful, refreshed look.

When to use toners?

Ah, the age-old question. You’ve decided to include an anti-aging moisturizer in your daily routine. But, is it before or after cleansing? After? How does my moisturizer fit in the mix? Song clarifies: “Remember that lighter textures products come first when layering.”

Toner should be applied immediately after cleansing the skin, and before applying any creams or serums. Toners should be applied after you cleanse your skin. This is because the skin’s pH can become more acidic after washing.

What are the ingredients of anti-aging toners and what should they contain?

Toners can have varying results. This is important to keep in mind. Dr. Hu attributes this to the active ingredients in each formulation. Ingredients such as hydroxy acids, antioxidants and hyaluronic are excellent for hydrating, healing, and preventing wrinkles.

Dr. Hu says that toners containing alpha-hydroxy acid can aid in cell turnover and hydrate the skin. Sensitive skin? You don’t have to worry about sensitive skin. There are anti-aging products that contain a few key ingredients. Dr. Hu says that hyaluronic acid is a great moisturizer and that plant extracts can provide soothing and repair benefits.

Dr. Parcells loves alpha-hydroxy acid because they are effective in removing dirt, makeup, and damaged cell. “Antioxidants (fruit or plant extracts) help in brightening skin and fighting UV damages.” What about the hydrating hyaluronic acids we already mentioned? It calms and plumps mature skin, according to Dr. Parcells.

Here are some of best anti-aging toners for luminous skin

• May Lindstrom Skin Jasmine Garden Botanical Facial mist

“I love products that nourish the skin and stimulate the senses. Because the 100% natural ingredients are so pure, you can tell that each product was lovingly blended in Los Angeles. They leave you with glowing skin and beautiful skin. This toner smells like jasmine.”

• Glowbiotics Probiotic Brightening + Layering Solution

“Toners can be irritating to sensitive skin. But this toner is not. Even rosacea patients can tolerate it when it is used only a few times per week. It contains probiotics to help protect your skin microbiome and vitamin C to brighten dark spots and repair damage. It’s probably the easiest toner to add to your skin routine without triggering an allergic reaction.” – Dr. Elizabeth Geddes

• Three Ships Awake Rose Hydrosol Toner

This toner is rich in anti-aging ingredients, which are great for reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It also gives the skin all the great benefits such as increasing hydration and pH balance. It also contains witch hzel, which helps reduce the appearance pores without drying the skin.” Dr. Shuting Hu

• LINNE Refresh Mineral Mist

“This multi-tasking toner is great for oily and combination skin types. It reduces pores, prevents bacteria infections and protects overall skin health.” Joomee Song

• Skinceuticals LHA Toner

This is my favorite toner for oily skin or those with acne. It helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the quality of your skin. It contains a mixture of acids including salicylic, glycolic and lipo-hydroxy acids. These acids help remove old skin cells and make your skin feel super soft. This toner can be drying so you should only use it once a week. It can be used to spot treat areas such as the T-zone, which are more prone to blackheads or clogged pores.

• SUNNIE Skincare Fresh &. Clean: Regenerating Exfoliating Cleanser + Toner

Dr. Parcells loves this dual action cleanser/toner because it can hydrate skin with important anti-aging nutrients, and condition and soothe sensitive skin using rich botanical extracts. It’s gentle, hydrating, and sulfate- and paraben free.

• Buttah Skin Rosewater Toner

This toner is recommended by Dr. Parcells for melanin-rich skin. It is a toner/exfoliator that balances and gently cleans the skin.

• Omorovicza, the Queen of Hungary Mist

“This mist has a light texture, but it provides long-lasting hydration due to Apple Pectin. It has a sweet, citrusy scent that is addicting and gives you a boost during the day. It’s safe for all skin types.” – Joomee Song

• OSEA Sea Vitamin Boost

“This multivitamin toner is rich in antioxidant-rich seaweed. It is my favorite for clients suffering from dry, stressed-out skin. It promotes a radiant glow, and improves skin elasticity,” – Joomee Song

• Acaderma Equilibria Stabilizing Toner

“MSM is a bioavailable form sulfur that boosts your skin’s collagen production and elastin production. This helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Hyaluronic acid is also included, which leaves your skin soft, moisturized and radiant. Another highlight is its powerful prebiotic complex, which contains plant-derived fructooligosaccharides that harness the good bacteria naturally living on the surface of the skin, leaving it soft and radiant.” – Dr. Shuting Hu

• Anove Immortal Rose Hydrating Toner

“This toner is soothing and hydrating. It’s perfect for those with dry or stressed skin. This anti-aging toner is great for reducing scarring and irritation. It is rich in hyaluronic acids, which help your skin retain moisture. This will also boost collagen synthesis.” Dr. Shuting Hu