- Pros: May help smooth wrinkles
- Cons: Too harsh and drying for some reviewers with sensitive skin
- Size: 4 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, green tea
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
Best Toner for Blemishes & Acne-Prone Skin: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
“If you have acne-prone skin, you want a toner that contains glycolic acid, like this one from The Ordinary,” says Dr. Lamb. “Glycolic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells so they can’t mix together with the excess oil on the skin and create acne,” she explains. Classified as an AHA, glycolic acid can also help reduce the appearance of sun spots, acne, and hyperpigmentation, which is a benefit many reviewers of The Ordinary’s toner specifically call out. “I saw improvement on my acne, blackheads, and hyperpigmentation,” noted one shopper. “I love this and use it all over my body for dark spots on my underarms, knees, and elbows,” said another.
- Pros: Alcohol-free; affordable; can help with body acne and blemishes
- Cons: Some reviewers experienced redness after using this product; may make skin more photosensitive
- Size: 8 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, plant extracts
- Fragrance: Fragrance-free
Best Pore-Minimizing Toner: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
What makes this bestseller such a winner? “The hero ingredient in this toner is PHA, which is an ultra-gentle cousin to glycolic acid,” explains Dr. Zeichner. “PHA has exfoliating properties and helps promote cellular turnover, which can help flush out blocked pores.” (FYI, the more clogged your pores are, the bigger they’ll appear.) “PHA also has humectant effects, so it pulls in hydration to the outer skin layer, making this a great option for those looking for additional hydration,” Dr. Zeichner adds.
Glamour’s Kilkeary is also a fan of this toner because it really gets the job done if you need extra cleansing. “If my skin feels like it needs some more deep cleaning after washing my face, I reach for this watermelon toner. Not only does it smell lovely, but I like the way it feels on my face during application—it’s jelly-like but non-sticky. It definitely helps remove excess makeup in any nooks and crannies that I missed, so it’s always a go-to when I need a little extra cleansing support.”
- Pros: Gentle and hydrating
- Cons: Some reviewers did not like the smell and texture
- Size: 5.07 oz.
- Key Ingredients: Watermelon, cactus water, PHAs
- Fragrance: Lightly fragranced
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Original image by Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary
“Think of this product like a toner in an easy-to-dispense spray bottle,” says Dr. Zeichner. Tower 28 Beauty’s facial spray has the consistency of a water-based toner and is packed with hypochlorous acid, which is actually a cousin to bleach. But “unlike bleach, hypochlorous acid will not irritate the skin and it won’t damage darkly colored fabrics,” Dr. Zeichner says.
