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ELLE Edit: 14 Of The The Best Face Toners For Every Single Need

No stripping astringents here.

By ELLE Beauty Team and Tigerlily Pounds-Leetham
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Elle UK

In between cleansing and moisturising, you'd be forgiven for seeing a face toner as a bit of an old-fashioned skincare step. Remember the cleanse, tone, moisturise advice our mums (and 1990s Clinique ads) dished out? As it happens, though, there is real benefit to toning, especially if you're prone to dry skin or you're in need of extra glow.

But what does it mean to 'tone' your complexion?

'Think of a toner as the preparation stage of your skincare routine. You have already cleansed, so your skin is clean, now it is time to refine your skin with toner,' explains Daniel Isaacs, director of research for Medik8. According to him, good toners help increase the permeability of the skin, thus allowing the rest of your skincare products to work harder.

Acid toners are growing in popularity. These contain BHAs, PHAs or AHAs (or a combination) to chemically exfoliate the top layer of the skin where dead skin cells tend to build up. 'This can help to create a smoother skin texture and lift the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation for a glowing complexion,' says Isaacs. With exfoliating toners, it's important to exercise caution. Start with a weekly application and see how your skin reacts. It's also key that you don't damage the skin barrier with too much acid-infused products in the rest of your regime.

Aside from exfoliating toners, there are also toners for hydration, rebalancing, purifying, soothing, refreshing and scented floral waters. Isaacs recommends a humectant-rich formula (look for ceramides, glycerin, PHAs and hyaluronic acid) for dry and sensitive skin types, while oilier skin types will fare better with toners containing niacinamide and salicylic acid. As for simple floral waters, these are great as a calming treat (provided you're not sensitive to scent or essential oils) and as a sensorial pick-me-up.

To apply your toner, soak a reusable cotton pad and gently sweep post-cleansing. Using toners on damp skin can increase the product penetration as skin is more permeable, but if your toners contain acids, there is risk of irritation so applying on dry skin is advisable. On the other hand, essences are toner adjacent, with a thicker fluid texture. They're often packed with skin conditioning ingredients and hydrators, so these work best when patted gently onto damp or dry skin post-cleansing.

Ahead, our favourite toners for every skin type and condition.

Best Toner For...Blemish-Prone Skin

Medik8 Press And Clear

Press And Clear
Best Toner For...Blemish-Prone Skin

Medik8 Press And Clear

Now 30% Off
£20 at LookFantastic£27 at sephora.co.uk£34 at Cult Beauty

Hero ingredient salicylic acid works hard to unclog pores, control oil production, and fend off blemishes while tranexamic acid helps brighten leftover scarring and dark spots. It also contains soothing aloe vera to keep any redness at bay. Say hello to skin that’s even-textured, decongested, and ultra-soft.

best toner for... a trendy gift

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
best toner for... a trendy gift

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Now 25% Off

Aside from the mesmerising bottle, the Glow Recipe toner not only smells delicious, its formulated with exfoliating PHA + BHA for top results. Did we mention, its watermelon extract is full of restoring vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids? Radiant skin is a given.

Best Toner For... Skin Plumping

Tatcha The Texture Tonic

The Texture Tonic
Best Toner For... Skin Plumping

Tatcha The Texture Tonic

Now 19% Off

We can't get enough of stateside export, Tatcha. And for good reason. The products are equal parts effective, luxurious and gentle; everything we want in our skincare. The Texture Tonic uses fruit-derived AHAs to even out skin texture and brighten, all while tackling excess oils and improving hydration levels.

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Best Toner For...Barrier Repair

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid

Ceramidin Liquid
Best Toner For...Barrier Repair

Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid

Now 10% Off

Dr Jart delivers a much-desired wave of instant hydration with this toner. Infused with their Ceramidin Complex, it provides dehydrated skin with a hit of moisture and repairs a compromised skin barrier. This is the perfect toner to add into your skin-cycling routine between exfoliation and acids to replenish and balance.

Best Toner For...Sensitive But Blemish-Prone Skin

Rose Inc Skin Resolution Clarifying Toner

Skin Resolution Clarifying Toner
Best Toner For...Sensitive But Blemish-Prone Skin

Rose Inc Skin Resolution Clarifying Toner

Now 25% Off

A cocktail of brightening acids, niacinamide and willow bark extract helps to keep pesky spots in check and rebalance combination-to-oily complexions. The addition of moisturising squalane ensures skin stay soft and comfortable all day long.

Best Toner For...Brightening

Ren Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Best Toner For...Brightening

Ren Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

Now 25% Off

This vegan, alcohol-free formula exfoliates using lactic acid and maintains clarity with willow bark extract. As part of Ren's eco-friendly ethos, the bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic.

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Best Toner For...Make-Up Prep

Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner

Glow Toner
Best Toner For...Make-Up Prep

Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner

We've heard it before: great skin = great make-up. Charlotte Tilbury's gentle Glow Toner promises to take care of dry patches and minimise pores so your foundation will sit even better on skin (you'll probably need less of it, too). Instead of exfoliating acids, this uses niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to encourage radiance and boost hydration.

Best Toner For... Rebalancing

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner

Balancing Toner
Best Toner For... Rebalancing

Dr. Barbara Sturm Balancing Toner

Now 25% Off

This pH-balancing toner from dermatologist and skincare legend Dr. Barbara Sturm gently removes make-up and traces of pollution. It's also fortified with panthenol to calm irritated skin and keep excess sebum in check.

Best Toner For... Dry Skin

Lancôme Tonique Confort Tone

Tonique Confort Tone
Best Toner For... Dry Skin

Lancôme Tonique Confort Tone

Imagine a toner that blasts every last bit of make-up, leaves dry skin feeling comfortably hydrated, and imparts an otherworldly glow. Well, Lancôme's Tonique Confort does all three. Sweet almond extract and honey makes it perfect for those with parched complexions.

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Best toner for... a facial spray

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

Balancing Lavender Toner
Best toner for... a facial spray

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner

Enriched with lavender to reduce inflammation and sweet betty flower to help maintain your natural pH, this purifying toner is alcohol-free. The calming aroma is a bonus, that all skincare routines can welcome.

Best toner for... high-end

Augustinus Bader The Essence

The Essence
Best toner for... high-end

Augustinus Bader The Essence

Now 25% Off

Known for their highly scientific, results driven products, Augustinus Bader knows a thing or two about skincare. This essence is composed of 5 potent ingredients to regulate oil production, discolouration and hydrating the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Yes please!

Best toner for... city-dwellers

Beauty Pie Japanfusion Energy Essence Mist

Japanfusion Energy Essence Mist
Best toner for... city-dwellers

Beauty Pie Japanfusion Energy Essence Mist

If you’re looking for a high-tech toner that combats pollution as well as pores, add this lightweight tonic to your basket now. This micro-molecular hydrating prep formula is infused with antioxidant Jabara Citrus and Grape Extracts, along with restorative Pombo Yeast for moisture fusion. Hydrating and full of antioxidants, this toner was designed to protect you from modern day pollutants.

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Best toner for... sensitive skin

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Toner

Cucumber Herbal Toner
Best toner for... sensitive skin

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Toner

If harsh toners leave you feeling stripped, try this alcohol-free formula by Kiehls. Utilising the power of replenishing cucumber extract to cool and soothe, this formula turns to herbal extracts to regulate moisture and provide a hydrating boost.

best toner for... deep nourishment

Fenty Skin Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence

Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence
best toner for... deep nourishment

Fenty Skin Fat Water Hydrating Milky Toner Essence

This TikTok-approved toner heralds both niacinamide and hyaluronic acid for pore-refining results that strengthen your skin moisture barrier. A bestseller at Fenty, the milky formula ensures that no complexion is ever left feeling stripped.

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