Skin care

22 Best Toners and Astringents

Toners get a bad rap. But if you've got dry or oily skin, using one can transform your complexion. Here's how to find the right toner for your skin type

July 6, 2011 | by Sharon J. Yi, Stephanie Shum | 42 COMMENTS

No. 9: Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, $21 Best for: Dry to sensitive skin prone to sunburn or irritation
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.9*
Why: Readers are addicted to this "non-drying floral tonic that contains vitamin E, organic aloe vera, calendula, cucumber, and rose-scented geranium," which has "none of that artificial and irritating perfume smell some skin care products have." This "light, floral, yet tangy citrus scent awakens my senses and gets me going in the morning," says one reader. Another says it "makes me look forward to cleaning my face!" One reader says, "Once I begin applying this toner on my face, I don't want to stop." It also "leaves the face baby soft" after each use.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 8: Mary Kay Blemish Control Toner 3, $13

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products mentioned

Sea Breeze Deep-Clean Astringent Actives

7.7

Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner

8.2

Biore Blemish Treating Astringent

7.9

Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Astringent

7.5

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner

7.8

Evian Mineral Water Spray

8.6

Avon Clearskin Blackhead Eliminating Daily Astringent

8.6

Lancome Tonique Pure Focus

8.9

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Balancing Facial Toner

9.2

Olay Oil Minimizing Toner

8.7

Mario Badescu Skin Care Special Cucumber Lotion

8.8

YonKa Lotion PS Alcohol-Free Mist for...

8.9

Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic

8.7

Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic

9.3

Mary Kay Blemish Control Toner 3

9.1

Origins United State Balancing Tonic

9.2

Aveda Botanical Kinetics Skin Firming/Toning Agent

9.0

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner

8.7

MAC Fix+

9.1

Burt's Bees Rosewater and Glycerin Toner

9.1

Obagi Nu-Derm Toner

9.0

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

9.1

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Where are cliniques toners? Been using them religiously for years

by Kbhaber Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 07:51AM Report as inappropriate

I have very sensitive and oily skin. I normally do not use heavy creams, but since moisturization is really important, and after a recommendation I saw on youtube, I decided to give the Shielo Complexion Moisturizer a go. I am SO GLAD I did. The Shielo Complexion Moisturizer This does not cause me to break out, and it moisturizes well (although my skin is a bit shinier than usual in the morning now :). I love that there is a large amount in the jar. I think this will be my "official" moisturizer from now on!

by jasmine_santa_maria Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 06:44PM Report as inappropriate

I am happy to see that all 3 toners I am considering are on this list!

by bride040612 Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 05:42PM Report as inappropriate

I Use Dollar General's Oil-Free Astringent, It's Good At Clearing Acne, It Smells Wonderful, And It's Super Cheap. I Love It It Has Done Wonders For My kin

by Sidney210 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 03:44PM Report as inappropriate

Never really feel the need for using a toner.

by EricaF123 Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 05:34PM Report as inappropriate

I use ORIGING United States toner.. This is part of my daily regimen.. day and night.. I feel the difference. My skin feels fresh and clean, all ready to put on my moisturizer.

by Joana84 Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 08:43AM Report as inappropriate

I use the Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil toner right now and it is pretty good. My favorite toner though (the body shop's seaweed toner) was not on here :(

by Chris213 Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 07:15PM Report as inappropriate

I\'ve been using Olay\'s skin toner gentle years now, and I love it! It doesn\'t have that strong medicine-y smell of many other toners, and it\'s gentle enough to use twice a day. Definitely the best bang for your beauty buck!

by BengalsGal Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate

I've been using Thayer's Roswater Toner and it has been working great! Very soothing and my skin looks great!

by starla1971 Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 03:02PM Report as inappropriate

been using witch hazel in the mornings and the body shop cucumber toner at night, it's working great for my dry to oily skin.

by monpetitchou Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 08:22PM Report as inappropriate

I agree, where is Clinique?

by shell1375 Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 01:50PM Report as inappropriate

Clinque toners should have been on here

by drkbutterfly71 Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 03:05PM Report as inappropriate

greattt

by Nicole2814 Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 05:30PM Report as inappropriate

I just can't get on board with toners!

by LittleBunny Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 07:11AM Report as inappropriate

I'm afraid of toners..

by eatinglipstick Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 07:42PM Report as inappropriate

I use the Proactiv toner everyday as part of the 3 step system and I love the feeling it gives. When I go over a blemish, I feel this penetrate and know it's working. I would use a toner whether I had acne prone skin or not.

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 08:07PM Report as inappropriate

OK wait i'm a little confused, so you should use a toner only if your skin is dry or sensative and an astringent for oily combination skin? I've always been told to use an astringent and then tone afterward to bring the skin's PH back in line.

by 13thbeauty Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:48AM Report as inappropriate

what do toners do??

by Nicole2814 Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 02:56PM Report as inappropriate

no. 1 was expected to be organic and natural-free. I absolutely love itt.

by Sprinklesugars Monday, December 26, 2011 at 07:08PM Report as inappropriate

I like having feedback on a few of the toners I've thought about trying. Now I can spend my hard-earned $$$ on the right toner!

by adancingnancie Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 08:46AM Report as inappropriate

sea breeze is really amazing. it clears my acne better than most acne products that i have used. I would recommend using a lightweight moisturizer with it, because it tends to make my skin a little dry.

by seaorchid05 Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 02:51PM Report as inappropriate

I've been thinking about starting to a toner and this article gave me a great list of contenders! thanks!

by vfalkow Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at 01:36PM Report as inappropriate

need to start using these again!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 09:21PM Report as inappropriate

I have not tried this one but it sounds fantastic! My skin is SO difficult! It is oily AND dry! Gonna have to make the drive to the mall and hit the Origins store.

by GAmommy911 Tuesday, August 9, 2011 at 01:22PM Report as inappropriate

I like the the body shop tea tree one

by porsha_coleman_mcdaniels Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 11:14PM Report as inappropriate

I just bought the Clean & Clear Sensitive Skin one :)

by lanigaga Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 01:00PM Report as inappropriate

I think toners are a waste of money!

by LittleBunny Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 01:35PM Report as inappropriate

a loyal user of Clean&Clear Deep Cleaning Astringent for Sensitive Skin :) it gets rid of all the dirt and oil (keeping my face acne-free!) yet gentle on the skin. a true miracle worker

by tokyonista Friday, August 5, 2011 at 09:11PM Report as inappropriate

Nice article

by Linda2000 Friday, August 5, 2011 at 05:50PM Report as inappropriate

Loved this article. I use the Mario Badescu toner mentioned and I love it. A few of the ones listed I am going to recommend to family and friends to try.

by attagirl Friday, August 5, 2011 at 12:31PM Report as inappropriate

I enjoy using my toner, but I tend to forget. It can get overdrying when used after a scrub, but usually after moisturizing, my skin is nice and smooth.

by MissXu Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 05:32AM Report as inappropriate

I don't use toners, they make my skin feel odd.

by MissPurple Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 03:09PM Report as inappropriate

Ive been using Bioelements Power Peptide for over a year and it's great - toner and peptides. LOVE. -- Also - my estheticiain said water in a can will actually dry out your skin?

by amychicago80 Friday, July 15, 2011 at 08:01AM Report as inappropriate

I'm amused, because under totalbeauty>My Beauty Life, Rebekah George lists toner as one of 3 unnecessary beauty products (unless you have really really oily skin). I personally never found a toner that did anything for my extremely oily skin for more than an hour, and I did try several of the ones listed. But I'm glad they seem to work for someone!

by LipglossandSpandex Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 09:00PM Report as inappropriate

You forgot to mention Ciclos D'Racco Refreshing toner by Racco Cosmetics! My favorite! ;)

by renata_dors_berto Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 12:32PM Report as inappropriate

I currently use the Pore-Refining Toner from Neutrogena and I like it.

by volta Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 09:59AM Report as inappropriate

I don't like toners...

by eatinglipstick Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 09:57AM Report as inappropriate

I disagree...all you need is a bottle of witch hazel-natural astringent for about $3!

by www.KeepMeBlushing.com Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 05:54PM Report as inappropriate

I try the neutrogena toner a while back and stop. Think i might give it another shot.

by Aymee Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 04:46PM Report as inappropriate

Paula's Choice toners are better than any of the ones listed. They have better ingredients, are soothing, and really improve your skin. I never like toners until I tried Paula's Choice.

by Thorne Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 02:17PM Report as inappropriate

Most of these are not available to me,but I'll tell you that Avon's clearskin is really good!

by selma Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 01:19PM Report as inappropriate

I adore toners, especialy ones that contain salicylic acid or glycolic acid, since you don't wash them off like a cleanser i think this an excellent way to deliver skin benefitting ingredients.

by luxylexi Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 12:53PM Report as inappropriate

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