15 best face toners for every skin type and concern, tried and tested by GLAMOUR editors
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn how we test.
Quality face toners have long been a firm favourite among board-certified dermatologists and beauty editors alike. ICYMI: these skincare heroes are great for helping manage an array of skincare concerns, including targeting dullness and congestion with the help of antioxidants and pore-refining actives such as salicylic acid, lactic acid and hydroxy acid.
Thankfully, today's formulas have come a long way since those irritating concoctions that we reached for in our teenage years. Instead, we're met with formulations that won't disturb our delicate skin barrier while also being twice as effective at keeping our complexions even, calm and blemish-free. Some even boast the same active ingredients you may spot in your go-to skincare staples (think vitamin C, BHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide).
Best face toners at a glance, reviewed:
- Best face toner overall: Press & Clear Exfoliating 2% BHA Tonic, £34, Medik8
- Best refreshing face toner: La Roche-Posay Serozinc, £11.50, LookFantastic
- Best glow-giving face toner: Pixi Glow Tonic Glycolic Acid Toner, £10, Cult Beauty
- Best face toner for dry skin: Alpha-H Liquid Gold Exfoliating Treatment with Glycolic Acid, £42.99, LookFantastic
Firework content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
For those of us who have dry skin that's craving a moisture boost, some toners tend to provide long-lasting hydration, largely due to the included ceramides, glycerin and squalane. There are also those that have been expertly formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, featuring blends of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory botanicals to treat and protect your complexion.
Still, there're a lot of confusion and dated information surrounding face toners, when in reality they can make or break your entire skincare routine. And in case you need a reminder of what they're actually supposed to do and how your "cleanse, tone and moisturise" routine can benefit from using them, we spoke to Alise Mihai, aesthetic skin practitioner at Skin+IQ Clinic, to answer all your burning FAQs.
To help you pick the right toner that works for your specific skin type and preferences, we've also put together a comprehensive guide on the very best formulas on the market right now: from budget-friendly beauty products to premium buys and trending releases, there's definitely one that will tick all your boxes.
Prepare to rethink your skincare routine.
Feeling inspired to upgrade your skincare routine? Shop the best sunscreens for face, best eye creams, best hyaluronic acid serums as well as the best moisturisers and lotions.
For more shoppable makeup, skincare, haircare and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.
Enter, our edit of the best toners for every skin type...
Why we love it: When it comes to building your dream skincare routine, it's always a good idea to consider Medik8, one of the best science-backed and board-certified dermatologist-approved brands around. And this facial toner is a prime example of just how high-quality the Medik8 range is. This 2% BHA tonic is great for delivering a visibly clarified and decongested skin. According to Medik8, results are noticeable in as little as 7 days.
Why we love it: It's hydrating, it's soothing and it's glow-giving, but let's be real, we expected nothing less from Hailey Bieber. “The Rhode Glazing Milk is genuinely my favourite product from the range. My dry skin soaked it right up, and the hydrated feel lasted for hours on end. It delivers an elite base for my moisturiser and my sunscreen, helping it absorb that much better,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Why we love it: You've definitely seen this toner once or twice before. Packed with a blend of AHAs and BHAs, this exfoliating skin toner is designed to gently eat away at dead skin cells, clear out blackheads and unclog pores, leaving you with a radiant-looking glow. The best part? It's suitable for everyday use.“It gives you a natural glow while still being gentle on your skin. Perfect to use just before applying your foundation too, as it doesn’t dry your skin out and gives you a glow all day,” – Neamh Randall, Commerce Photo Editor.
Why we love it: This Pixi cult product needs no introduction. When it first launched, it would sell out on a daily basis for its ability to give skin an instant glow, thanks to acids that gentle peel your skin, boost cell turnover and help reduce the look of fine lines. Not to mention, the price point is considerably fair, especially given all the glow-giving and clarifying benefits you get out of it.
Save big when shopping for best face toners using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
- Claire Clifton Coles
Best refreshing face toner
Why we love it: Formulated with oily and acne-prone skin types in mind, this innovative refreshing toner aims to reduce grease and mattify the skin in the process for the ultimate shine-free finish. Plus, it also comes in form of a spray, making the application that much more convenient. Did we mention that it's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic too?
Enjoy extra savings at checkout when shopping for the best toners using these LookFantastic discount codes.
