No need to stress out your face.
All the beauty besties out there blessed with sensitive skin, we’re here for you. If your skin is ever itchy, inflamed, red, and stressed out, then you know how annoying it can be to deal with. While you don’t want to strip your sensitive skin with harsh, exfoliating toners, adding soothing and calming toners to your routine could be a huge game-changer.
When on the hunt for gentle toners for your skin, whether it be sensitive, acne-prone, or oil-prone, look for soothing ingredients that’ll balance out your skin’s pH level—think rose water, jojoba oil, and other vitamins, too.
To help sift through the hundreds of options, we tapped top dermatologists to share their all-time favorite toners for sensitive skin. We took their recommendations and tried them out for ourselves to see if each lived up to the hype. Spoiler: They did. We then put everything together all in one place so you can read up on the best toners for sensitive skin, according to dermatologists.
Best Overall
Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner
Sometimes, cleansing can be drying and irritating for sensitive skin—let the Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner swoop in to relieve angry skin. Thanks to ingredients like glycerin, allantoin, and panthenol, you’ll find this formula to be super calming, hydrating, and soothing all-in-one.
“Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner is great for dry and sensitive skin,” explains William Kwan, MD. “It contains antioxidants and niacinamide to help with fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, it can also help even out skin color on different skin tones, which is something we can get behind.
Active Ingredients: Vitamin C, allantoin, niacinamide | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths | Size: 6.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Toner
For an option that doesn’t break the bank, check out Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner. “This formula gently hydrates and nourishes skin with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E as it cleanses, tones, and refreshes skin,” explains Marina Peredo of Schweiger Dermatology Group. “Because it is alcohol-free, it is best for sensitive skin.” Best of all, it helps maintain its natural balance as it gently removes impurities and reconditions the skin. The result: Skin that feels hydrated and clean without tightness.
New York-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, is also a fan. “Toners containing alcohols or witch hazel remove excess oil from the skin and can actually help prevent breakouts for those with acne-prone skin,” she says. “I like Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner. Witch hazel has natural astringent properties, which can help to remove excess sebum from the skin and reduce inflammation of pimples.” This toner is alcohol-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish and hydrate even sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Witch hazel, vitamin E | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Benefits: Refines pores | Size: 16 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Toning Lotion
Avène Gentle Toning Lotion
“While toners were previously drying as an astringent to the skin, nowadays, formulations are much more elegant and thoughtful,” says Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, of New York’s Downtown Dermatology. “I do recommend to all my patients, whether they are acne-prone or dry and sensitive skin, to avoid alcohol-based toners altogether.” In fact, she actually views toners as an additional step in the cleansing process. Ingredients that can be beneficial for sensitive skin are moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, antioxidants like vitamin C, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. This formula from Avéne strikes the perfect balance between moisturizing and being lightweight.
It contains natural silicates that offer a very subtle, protective film on the skin, as well as the brand’s famously calming Avene Thermal Spring Water. It also helps protect the skin against environmental aggressors while working to balance the skin’s pH levels, too. Unfortunately, we don’t love that this pick contains fragrance in the formula—something to consider if you are really sensitive to fragrance.
Active Ingredients: Thermal spring water | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, soothes | Size: 6.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Mist
Knours. Double Duty Mist
“The Knours. Double Duty Mist is much more sophisticated than most toners,” explains Sloan Kettering’s Anthony M. Rossi, MD. “It contains squalene and jojoba oils to help trap and retain moisture. It is gentle enough to use when the skin is inflamed, which is different from other ‘traditional toners.’ Having the variety in this toner as well for when you need more moisturizing oils is great to adapt to changing skin needs.”
What’s so cool about this pick is that you can adapt the toner to your skin’s current needs. For example, if your skin is feeling really dry and flaky one day, you can shake the bottle and get the benefits of the moisturizing jojoba oil (which sits at the top of the formula), along with the ingredients that sit at the bottom of the bottle. If your skin is feeling more sensitive or oily another day, you should avoid shaking the bottle, and just spritz the toner onto your skin to get the soothing benefits of the aloe vera and botanical extracts that are at the bottom of the bottle.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, squalane, jojoba oil | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrates, refreshes | Size: 1, 3.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Mist, Runner-Up
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
“Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist is perfect for sensitive dry skin types,” explains Kwan. “It contains rose water, which is one of my favorite natural moisturizers; aloe vera; and marshmallow root to hydrate the skin without irritation.”
Not only does this pick smell absolutely amazing, but we love that the mist is really fine and feels cooling when spritzed on your face. One of the downsides of this product is that it contains denatured alcohol and fragrance, meaning it might irritate some folks who have super sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Rosa hybrid flower extract, aloe leaf extract | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, soothes, refreshes | Size: 1.7, 3.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner
This affordable toner is a beauty staple, but it’s also especially great for sensitive skin, thanks to soothing ingredients like aloe vera and the brand’s proprietary witch hazel extract. There are also different scents to choose from, including lavender, cucumber, and rose petals. According to board-certified dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD, witch hazel works great in a pinch or if you’re on a budget.
We like that this product is pretty widely available and really easy to use, too. This formula does contain fragrance, which makes the scents so strong (but in a good way). It’s alcohol-free and you shouldn’t have to worry about it irritating your skin.
Active Ingredients: Witch hazel, aloe leaf juice | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced | Benefits: Refines pores, smooths | Size: 12 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best with Aloe Vera
Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
Aloe vera is a master at calming, soothing, and hydrating, so it makes total sense that this classic toner is on our list for sensitive skin. Plus, its formula is alcohol- and fragrance-free, so it’s extra gentle.
This formula will leave your skin feeling cool and refreshed and doesn’t cause any dryness or irritation. Unfortunately, we don’t love that this toner contains some parabens and dyes that make it a light green color.
Active Ingredients: Aloe leaf juice | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths | Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Soothing
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Toner
When you hear the words oat milk, you may think of what you added to your iced coffee this morning. But it’s also an ingredient in this First Aid Beauty toner, which harnesses the power of oats (the formula also includes wild oats and colloidal oatmeal) to soothe the skin ASAP. From there, propolis extract (a derivative of honey) and hyaluronic acid provide a calming, hydrating boost. A bonus? This product is also gluten- and cruelty-free.
This formula is ideal for folks with super sensitive skin, or anyone struggling with eczema or dry patches on their face during the winter. The texture is thick and almost feels like an essence, rather than a lightweight toner. Because of this, you probably shouldn’t reach for this pick if you have oily skin, as it might be too heavy. On the flip side, it couldn’t be more hydrating or soothing for dry, irritated skin.
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, wild oats, honey | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, soothes | Size: 6 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Refreshing
Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
“The Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner cleanses and refreshes all skin types, including oily,” explains dermatologic surgeon Michelle Henry, MD. “But the plant-based, soothing ingredients make it gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types.”
We love that there are real calendula leaves in the formula that comes out whenever you squirt the product onto a cotton round. The ingredient list in this lineup couldn’t be more soothing—calendula calms, allantoin soothes, and great burdock root moisturizes. This pick is safe for folks with acne-prone skin, and we like that it works to reduce redness as well.
Active Ingredients: Calendula extract, allantoin | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths | Size: 4.2, 8.4, 16.9 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Exfoliating
ProActiv Revitalizing Toner
“Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is an alcohol-free toner and contains botanical extracts that gently exfoliate, which is great for sensitive skin,” says cosmetic dermatologist Cindy Yoon-Soo Bae, MD. Given that it contains glycolic acid to slowly exfoliate and soften the skin, it makes sense why she likes it so much.
This is one of the few toners on this list that contains an exfoliating acid. Because this pick does contain glycolic acid, some folks might find it to be a bit too harsh for sensitive skin. That being said, it has a host of nourishing, soothing, and hydrating ingredients, including aloe, glycerin, panthenol, and allantoin. These ingredients should work to balance out the astringent nature of the glycolic acid.
Active Ingredients: Glycolic acid | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Exfoliates, smooths | Size: 4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Antioxidant-Rich Formula
Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist Toner
Levin also likes the Dermalogica Antioxidant HydraMist for its ingredients—vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea. “This works great for more of an anti-aging step but still for sensitive skin,” Levin adds. All skin types (even acne-prone) and tones can benefit from the cooling properties of this toner.
You can thank pea, rose, and clove extract for the protective and comforting properties of this formula. It smells lovely, dries down quickly, and will help protect your skin against environmental aggressors throughout the day.
Active Ingredients: Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, glucosamine, vitamin C | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Hydrates, firms, evens out skin tone | Size: 5.1 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Texture
Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water
Toners with glycerin and hyaluronic acid can help hydrate the skin and prevent dryness. “I like Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water, which has a watery gel-like texture,” explains Engelman. “Toners are essential in the K-beauty routine; Korean beauty-lovers look to it to provide hydration and balance the pH of the skin.”
Although this toner has a watery consistency, it also feels like a gel when you apply it to the skin. It makes skin feel soft and plump and can help soothe redness in the skin, too. Something we don’t love about the formula is that it contains butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which is a synthetic preservative.
Active Ingredients: Purslane, goji berries | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths | Size: 4.2 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Calming
ZO Skin Health Calming Toner
“The best toner for sensitive skin is the ZO Skin Health Calming Toner,” says plastic surgeon Z. Paul Lorenc, MD, FACS. “It acts as an anti-irritant and contains a blend of conditioners that help soothe and hydrate the skin.” Thanks to a blend of witch hazel and glycolic acid, oily and sensitive skin types alike will reap the benefits of this exfoliating yet soothing elixir.
We don’t like that this product contains fragrance, which can sometimes be an irritant to some folks with sensitive skin. If you are really sensitive to fragranced skincare, you might want to opt for a different formula.
Active Ingredients: Witch hazel, glycolic acid | Skin Type: Oily, sensitive | Benefits: Exfoliates, soothes | Size: 6 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Hydrating
Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Toner
Not all toners are made equal, says Fusco. “There are a variety of toners that contain skin-nourishing ingredients that can nourish, treat conditions, and be part of a great skin layering regimen; for example, the Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Toner contains peptides, which improve skin tone and elasticity,” she says. “This layers well with other products and can be used year-round without drying out the skin. It’s also great for sun-damaged skin.”
Niacinamide, peptides, and witch hazel work together to hydrate and cleanse the skin before applying any serums or moisturizers on top. This is a great toner to use after cleansing because it helps to remove any makeup or residue that might have been left over after washing your face.
Active Ingredients: Peptides, witch hazel | Skin Type: Dry, mature | Benefits: Hydrates, smooths | Size: Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Contrary to popular belief, you can use a toner if you have sensitive skin—so long as it’s an appropriate formula. The Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Enriched Calming Toner earns our top vote, which has the added benefit of containing anti-aging antioxidants and niacinamide. We also like the Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water, infused with hydrating and glycerin to give it a beautiful, gel-like texture. And for those who prefer an easy-to-use mist, both the Knours. Double Duty Mist and Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist are ideal for sensitive skin.
How We Researched
- To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
- What To Look For in a Toner for Sensitive Skin
- Ingredients: Alcohol isn’t bad in all toners, but if you have sensitive skin, steer clear, as it can be way too harsh and drying. Look for formulas made with nourishing, balancing, and calming ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, and rosewater. The Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner contains all three and comes highly recommended by dermatologists (it’s also affordable and available at your nearest drugstore). There are also a variety of rosewater sprays on the market.
- Benefits: Your easily stressed-out skin can use all the extra soothing it can get, including from your toner. Formulas that contain jojoba oil and vitamin E, like the Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater, for example, are sensitive skin-friendly, and incredibly soothing. Toners (like the Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist) can also be used to remove excess oil, thus balancing out an uneven skin tone
- Size: The size of the toner you buy matters, especially because it dictates how much use you’ll get out of it. The larger the bottle, the more you’ll be able to use it. While this is the case for most products, you’ll want to look for a larger toner as it’s something you’ll apply daily.
FAQ
What does a toner do?
“Toners are skincare products that have the consistency of water,” Joshua Zeichner, the director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York tells Byrdie. “Traditionally, they were used to remove excess oil from the skin and were especially useful for people who had acne. Those products contain high concentrations of alcohol and therefore were drying. Today’s toners contain a variety of soothing, brightening, and anti-aging ingredients.” The new school of toners are meant to nourish your complexion after cleansing and help the products you layer on afterward better absorb into your skin.
How should I use a toner in my skincare routine?
Toner should be used after cleansing your skin but before applying any serums, creams, or sunscreen.
Is toner the same as astringent?
“In general, both toners and astringents are designed to manage key issues at the skin surface, such as oiliness and irritation,” Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist, tells Byrdie. Astringents are usually alcohol-based, which can help dry up excess oil but also irritate the skin. Because they’re typically water-based, toners tend to be less harsh and include hydrating ingredients like rose water, flower essence, or hyaluronic acid.