Finding the right toner for your skin type and budget can be overwhelming with all of the options on the market. However, your neighborhood drugstore actually offers some of the best tried-and-true toners money can buy. What's more, these are the formulas that won't bust your budget.
There is often discourse about whether you really need a toner, but it’s a step I absolutely never skip during my evening routine, especially on days when I wear makeup or have a long workout. (Even with a thorough double cleanse, I find there can still be some residue!)
Keep scrolling for some helpful information to have in your back pocket as you shop for a toner in addition to our top drugstore picks that fit every budget. The 15 best drugstore toners are just ahead.
But first, what do toners actually do, and when should you apply them?
So you’ve washed your face. It looks and feels clean, but with the swipe of toner, you still see residue from makeup, dirt, and even oil. Toners essentially lift leftover dirt or makeup without stripping your skin of hydration to ensure your skin is prepped and ready for the next step in your skincare routine.
Toners are used after cleansing. Then after toning, you'll want to go in with your serums, treatments, and moisturizers. (Oh, and remember to always work thinnest to thickest to maximize efficacy and absorbency!)
What should you look for in a toner, depending on your skin type and goals?
For oily or acne-prone skin types, exfoliating toners are especially helpful in addressing excess oil production, enlarged pores, and breakouts. You’ll want to look for ingredients like AHAs (think glycolic acid) and BHAs (think salicylic acid).
In contrast, dry and mature skin types should invest in alcohol-free formulas with hydrators like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, peptides, and ceramide.
Best Overall: Bioderma Sensibio H2O
With a nearly five-star rating, this fragrance- and alcohol-free micellar water removes fine particles, pollution, and face and eye makeup while soothing and hydrating the skin.
Pros: oil free, alcohol free, made with pharmaceutical-grade water, noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance free
Cons: pricier than other drugstore options
Glowing customer review: "Leaves your skin clean. If you have sensitive skin, this will help a lot in cleansing without stripping oils off the skin. This is an important step in my nighttime routine."
Best for Treating Dark Spots: Bevel 2-in-1 10% Glycolic Acid Toner Pads
For dark spots and ingrown hairs, these alcohol-free toner pads are packed with 10% glycolic acid. Plus, soothing aloe vera helps improve skin tone and texture without drying out the skin.
Pros: formulated sans alcohol, artificial dyes, and fragrances; smooths texture and reduces the appearance of dark spots; non-drying formula
Cons: could be too strong for sensitive skin types
Glowing customer review: "This product is the best! I have used everything for my skin, and nothing has worked until this. I started off using it every day, which made my skin peel, but now I’m using it every three days or so, and it’s been working perfectly."
Best for Treating Acne: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner
This drugstore toner contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to unclog pores, reduce black and whiteheads, and remove dead skin cells. It's also safe and gentle enough for those with sensitive skin.
Pros: oil and fragrance free; noncomedogenic; dermatologist and allergy tested; suitable for sensitive skin; helps reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and mild imperfections
Cons: the active ingredients, including salicylic and glycolic acids, could irritate the skin if you're extra sensitive
Glowing customer review: "Everyone's skin is different. I have combination skin and was suffering from closed comedones on my cheeks and foreheads, and my pores looked big. I don't have sensitive skin, so I started using this product every night after cleaning my face, and within five days, my face looks soooo smooth, and the comedones disappeared completely."
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dickinson's Fragrance-Free Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner
This drugstore formula has been around for years and is still at the top of the "best-ever" toner list. Made with witch hazel to gently remove oil and help clear skin, you won’t have to worry about it drying out skin as it lifts dirt, makeup, and oil. It's also fragrance free, making it extra great for anyone with sensitive skin.
Pros: great value for the price, ideal for sensitive skin types, helps remove and balance oil, formulated with 100% natural distilled witch hazel
Cons: may not be ideal for dry skin types
Glowing customer review: "This bottle lasted me over a year! I agree with other reviewers; the smell isn't great, so I limit [myself] to using it only in the evenings before bed. I don't find it irritating, but because I have dry skin, it's not necessarily moisturizing for me. It's my go-to place for make-up removal and toning."
Best for Dry Skin: Alcohol-Free Hydrating Toner for Sensitive Dry Skin
Developed with dermatologists, this pH-balanced, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, oil-free, and noncomedogenic toner is formulated with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) to infuse moisture into the skin. Since it’s noncomedogenic, you don’t have to worry about it clogging your pores.
Pros: alcohol free; fragrance free; oil free; noncomedogenic; formulated with hydrating, skin-barrier-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and three ceramides
Cons: could be too hydrating for oily skin types
Glowing customer review: "It doesn’t do the best at hydrating on its, but if you use moisturizer afterward, you can tell a difference from using just moisturizer alone! It does a great job at removing residue and dirt from your face even after washing your face!! It pulls dirt from the pores and makes your pore areas very hydrated and smooth!!"
Best for Brightening: Glow Tonic 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
This drugstore toner is a cult classic and for good reason: It just works. Formulated with glycolic acid, ginseng, and aloe vera, this toner refines the appearance of pores, soothes, and injects your complexion with brightness.
Pros: alcohol free, formulated with glycolic acid, helps refine the appearance of pores
Cons: because of the active ingredients, overuse could irritate the skin
Glowing customer review: "I have eczema and very dry skin that’s prone to hyperpigmentation. I started using glow tonic a few months ago and ran out for a few weeks recently. I quickly learned that my skin truly thrives on this, so I bought the bigger bottle and will continue to do so. I have sensitive skin and never experienced burning or breaking out by introducing this into my routine every other day for a month. I now use it every day!"
Best for Oily Skin: Clean Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Astringent
Formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, this oil-free face astringent removes surface oil, helps unclog pores, and helps fight stubborn breakouts.
Pros: formulated for acne-prone skin, oil free, removes surface oil to help unclog pores, helps fight acne
Cons: not a great option for dry skin types, reviewers note a strong smell
Glowing customer review: "This is some serious stuff. Swiping just my cheeks and forehead with a soaked cotton round almost makes my eyes water. The smell is strong, but it calmed down my face overnight. I had been dealing with recurring problems and angry redness for days with no results. I used this one time, and problem solved. Perfect for my needs, just be aware of the strong chemical smell."
Best for Mature Skin: Bioderma Hydrabio H20
For dry or mature skin types, this noncomedogenic, ultra-hydrating formula gently removes fine particles, pollution, and makeup from the skin while boosting hydration and giving the skin a lit-from-within glow.
Pros: alcohol free, noncomedogenic, helps preserve the skin's natural barrier, boosts hydration
Cons: a little pricier than other drugstore options
Glowing customer review: "I have very dry and sensitive skin; this product is a savior! I used the OG Bioderma with the pink cap for such a long time, but this blue one is the best. No irritation for the eyes, and it moisturizes my skin very well. I barely get pimples since I started using this. I very highly recommend it for those who have extremely dry skin like me!"
Best for Minimizing Pores: Bioré Witch Hazel Pore Clarifying Toner
This skin-clarifying toner is smartly infused with 2% salicylic acid and witch hazel to help unclog pores and remove excess oil from the skin.
Pros: formulated with 2% salicylic acid, oil free, helps soothe inflammation and clear acne
Cons: could be irritating if you use more than two to three times a week, depending on your skin type
Glowing customer review: "I love this stuff! I use this three to four times a week just to help clarify my skin, and I love the way it feels! This is a repeat purchase for me!"
Best Two-in-One: The Lip Bar Snap Back Toner Serum Drops
Made with multiple types of hyaluronic acid, this über- moisturizing formula hydrates and plumps skin in addition to soothing irritated skin and strengthening the skin barrier.
Pros: great for dry skin types, formulated with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, soothes irritated skin
Cons: could be too hydrating for oily skin types
Glowing customer review: "It's been a month now, and I can say I wish I'd taken a before picture to show the visible difference. I use this at night, and it's definitely made a difference in my skin tone."
Best for Combination Skin: Hero Cosmetics Clear Collective Balancing Capsule Toner
This serum toner is formulated with witch hazel and zinc PCA to mattify, while green tea water infused with eight types of hyaluronic acid helps soothe redness. In addition, the tiny oil capsules strengthen the skin barrier.
Pros: alcohol free, formulated with witch hazel and zinc PCA to mattify pores, great for combination skin, made with eight types of hyaluronic acid
Cons: could be too hydrating for oily skin
Glowing customer review: "Medical Aesthetician here. I use this after every cleanse, and it’s a staple in my skincare! I truly hope they don’t discontinue this product! The hydration afterward is unbelievable, and I love that it calms dry, irritated skin."
Best Multitasker: Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Cleanser Makeup Remover
Garnier’s all-in-one micellar cleansing water is an essential skincare product. From facial cleanser to makeup remover to toner, it works like a magnet to gently cleanse while removing makeup, dirt, sunscreen, and excess oil all in one step.
Pros: dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, fragrance free, oil free, does it all
Cons: none
Glowing customer review: "I have very sensitive skin and a lot of toners or makeup remover liquids and wipes break me out. Or, my face turns red and burns. This does not do that. It takes the makeup off with ease and will last a long time as you don't need much. Even my eyeliner and shadow wipe away smoothly and does not hurt my eyes. Great product!"
More Drugstore Toner Options We Love
Simple Kind to Skin Facial Toner
For dry and sensitive skin types, this alcohol-free pH-balanced toner infused with witch hazel, chamomile, and allantoin refreshes the skin without overdrying.
Pros: alcohol free, pH balanced, made with skin-loving ingredients, no artificial perfume or dyes
Cons: none
Glowing customer review: "This toner is great and awesome for sensitive skin. It doesn't have an overwhelming smell, and it feels nice going on. It feels sort of cooling, especially during the hot months. I use it year-round. It does feel like it softens my skin after use, as well."
Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner
This Thayers toner is made with 98% natural origin ingredients and is a cult favorite. It's formulated with aloe vera and witch hazel to cleanse and soothe without drying out your skin. It comes in multiple varieties: rose petal, lavender, cucumber, coconut water, and unscented.
Pros: formulated with a blend of certified organic witch hazel and aloe vera, helps control oil, provides eight-hour hydration, alcohol free
Cons: none
Glowing customer review: "I used to always use high-end toners from major brands. Used this once, and I was hooked. Affordable, cooling, and smells fantastic."
Burt's Bees Calming Toner With Witch Hazel Rose
This natural astringent minimizes the appearance of pores and cleanses the skin while moisturizing glycerin and aloe vera seal moisture into the skin.
Pros: helps remove excess oil and shine, alcohol free, great for all skin types
Cons: reviewers say the smell can be overwhelming
Glowing customer review: "I purchased this as my face was breaking out with many whiteheads and needed something to clean out the pores. This did the trick, and now my skin is back to normal with little to no whiteheads and my pores are minimized compared to before."
