The Best Face Tanners For a Natural Glow
- Skin
- The Best Face Toners
The Best Face Toners for Poreless Skin
By Rebecca Jenkinson
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4 years ago | Updated
You may be thinking you can skip the facial toner, but we’re here to tell you that it’s a crucial step that helps refine, rejuvenate and refresh your skin.
Face toner should come after cleansing to help remove any excess impurities or face makeup. There’s a solution for every skin type, whether you have dry, oily, sensitive or mature skin. However, with so many to choose from it can be tricky knowing which one to add into your routine.
That’s where the skincare fanatics at Cosmetify HQ come in. We’ve compiled all our notes on how to implement toners into your routine, as well as our fave solutions for various skin types.
What is skin toner?
Toner was once seen as an unnecessary and harsh step in skin care; however, reimagined modern toners are now a nourishing and hydrating component of any beauty and grooming routine. Usually a liquid or spray format, toners help cleanse and clarify the skin. It is the first leave-on step in your routine, which treats your skin rather than a cleanser which you wash away.
What does face toner do?
Face toners have plenty of benefits. Not only do they give you that extra clean feeling, but they can also help refine texture and even out your skin tone. Whether you’re struggling with pesky pimples or dulling skin, toners can purify and exfoliate all in one single swipe.
One of the biggest benefits of face toners is that they help tighten and refine enlarged pores. This helps keep the skin clear and reduces the appearance of blackheads.
Star ingredients often include, antioxidant rich vitamin C, acne-fighting salicylic acid and brightening AHAs. If you're searching for a specific one, use of drop-down ingredient preference filter. Not sure where to look? Browse our beauty glossary to find out more.
How to use face toner?
With so many beauty gurus out there following 20-step skincare routines, you might not be sure where a toner fits in. But most skin care routines follow the basic steps of cleanse, tone, then moisturise, moving from lightest to heaviest products for the best absorption. For a poreless finish all day long, we'd definitely recommend following this rule and using a toner as the first thing after cleansing.
First, start by removing impurities from your skin using a facial cleanser (usually a balm or cream) and then follow with your chosen toner. Either spritz across the skin or apply to a cotton pad and swipe on the face, neck and décolletage. Allow the formula to fully absorb and then follow with your favourite serum, moisturiser and SPF.
To find the best formula for you and your skin, we’ve listed ten of the best face toners here at Cosmetify.
Medik8 Press & Glow Tonic
£38.54This toner is a great all-rounder for all skin types and conditions. The aloe vera and acai in the formula hydrate your skin, soothe any inflammation and shield it from free radicals; polyhydroxy acids shed dead skin cells and prickly pear improves the appearance of fine lines.
CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
£18.99 £21.99 (14% off)The CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a cult classic for a reason. This gentle, daily exfoliating toner helps sweep away dead skin cells, prevent congestion and brighten your overall complexion without ever feeling harsh. A blend of naturally derived AHAs from apple fruit water and BHAs from willow bark water refines texture and keeps pores clear, while mineral-rich ingredients help maintain a healthy moisture balance. Perfect for anyone dealing with stubborn blackheads, uneven tone or general dullness, this refreshing spray formula absorbs quickly and preps the skin beautifully for serums and moisturisers.
Murad Clarifying Toner
£21.74 £30.00 (28% off)Use this blemish-busting toner in both the AM and PM to help tighten pores for a clearer complexion. Allantoin helps calm irritations, witch hazel draws out dirt and algae extract controls sebum production. This combo of ingredients refreshes the skin and reduces the likelihood of the midday shine.
DCL Active Mattifying Tonic
£27.25 £29.00 (7% off)Maybe you have the opposite problem, and your face ends up looking too shiny throughout the day from the extra oil your skin's producing. In that case, we love a mattifying toner like this one from DCL. Contrary to popular belief, you don't actually want to dry out your skin if it's excessively oil as it can only make your skin produce more oil to compensate. This toner, full of hyaluronic acid, willow and lavender, hydrates and calms, leaving you with a matte face throughout the day without drying you out.
Trilogy Vitamin C Energising Mist Toner
£20.11 £24.00 (17% off)Dull, tired-looking skin in need a pick-me-up? Pick a toner with vitamin C, like this energising one from Trilogy. With a blend of mandarin, tangerine, ylang ylang and vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), this citrus-y spray is great for refreshing your skin, protecting it from environmental damage and evening out your tone.
Fenty Beauty Fenty Skin Fat Water Pore Refining Toner Serum
£32.50Meet the multitasker your routine’s been waiting for. Fenty Skin Fat Water is a toner–serum hybrid that visibly tightens pores, evens tone and boosts hydration in one simple step. The lightweight, jelly-like formula features niacinamide to brighten and balance, barbados cherry (rich in vitamin C) for antioxidant protection, and witch hazel to refine without stripping. Its no-cotton-pad-needed texture makes it ideal for quick, fuss-free routines, while delivering smoother, bouncier, more clarified skin over time. A brilliant pick for combination, oily or makeup-wearing skin types that want a refined, photo-ready finish.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
£27.00Finally, to round up our top ten we have the best-selling toner from The Ordinary. Again, we see the powers of glycolic acid get to work to help correct uneven skin tone and leave you with radiant results. It also contains aloe vera, ginseng root and Tasmanian pepper berry which helps soothe any inflammation.
For more top skin care tips take a look at the best The Best Chemical Exfoliators for Soft, Smooth Skin and the Best Collagen Skin Products for Plump and Firm Skin.
Written by Rebecca Jenkinson
Rebecca is a content writer with over three years’ experience and a keen interest in cosmetics. Cosmetify allows her to combine her blogging skills with her passion for beauty.
