11 Best Toners for Balancing Skin 2025, Tested and Reviewed

As a beauty editor, I’ve tested dozens of the best toners in the market, and landed on ones that really deliver on clearing skin without causing irritation. Unlike toners of the past that stripped the skin’s barrier with astringents (a.k.a. alcohol-based formulas), today’s best facial toners actually help address all types of skin concerns. Dealing with dryness? Look for a toner with a hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of hydration. Is redness an issue? Anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide can help calm and soothe skin.

To help you find the best skin toners, I tapped dermatologists for their favorites. Then, our Glamour reviewers put them to the test. The one that rose to the top was the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliant, because it’s gentle, yet effective in reducing inflammation, stubborn pimples and even fine lines. If you’re looking to increase glow, our testers loved the Korean beauty toner from CosRX, plus other top-rated options below.

The best toners, at a glance

• Best Overall: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant, $14
• Best for Dry Skin: CeraVe Alcohol Free Hydrating Face Toner, $10
• Best for Oily Skin: Pixi Clarity Tonic, $15
• Best Pore-Minimizing Toner: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner, $34
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: The Ordinary ​​Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, $13
• Best for Redness: Charlotte Tilbury Daily Glow Toner With Niacinamide, $55
• Best for Combination Skin: EADEM Gentle Exfoliating AHA & PHA Toner, $42
• Best Korean Toner: CosRX AHA Toner, $11
• Best Toner for Aging Skin:Biodance Skin Refining Mild PHA Toner with 8% PHA for Gentle Exfoliation, $21
• Best Toner Pads: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads, $48

How we tested

1. Best Overall: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Fight clogged pores, blackheads, and acne with the cult-favorite exfoliant from Paula’s Choice. “The maximum-strength salicylic acid in the formula helps keep the pores clear and reduces shine but doesn’t tend to cause irritation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, an associate professor and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.

“This toner is a game-changer if you have oily or aging skin, as I’ve noticed such a massive difference since using it. It helps clarify fine lines and it does an excellent job of shrinking pimples, to the point where it helped calm a huge breakout on my chin in just two uses—seriously, it was flattened and red-free within forty-eight hours,” says Glamour’s commerce writer, Alanna Martine Kilkeary.

2. Best Toner for Oily Skin: Pixi Beauty Clarity Tonic

“Generally, AHA/BHA toners like those containing salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for oily and acne-prone skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. That’s why, if you struggle with oiliness, let us introduce you to Kilkeary’s favorite toner of all time. “My skin actually changed when I started using this toner every other day. I typically use it at night (specifically on nights I’m not using retinol), and like to tap it on to oily areas (around my nose and T-zone) with my fingers. My skin has never looked as matte or clarified than it has since adding this into my routine, and I owe it all to the powerful blend of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid. I’ve also never felt a burning sensation while using this (which can sometimes happen with AHA/BHA toners). Instead my skin always looks and feels clean, calm, and clear.”

3. Best Toner Pads: Peter Thomas Roth Goodbye Acne Complexion Correction Pads

Toner pads are presoaked one-use pads that make it easy to swipe on a toner formula without having to use a cotton ball or your fingers. This potent pick has a blend of salicylic acid, glycolic acid, aloe and allantoin to zap pimples and keep the skin looking clear and fresh.

“These toner pads are my go-to if I have a breakout that’s just about to reach the surface,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “I simply swipe a pad on the targeted area. It’s also great for removing any excess makeup residue. I will warn you, they sting a bit upon application. The good news, though, is that every time I use them on a growing pimple, it immediately stops it in its tracks, so for that, I’ll always go back to these.”

4. Best Toner for Aging Skin: Biodance Skin Refining Mild PHA Toner with 8% PHA

This gentle toner not only contains 8% PHA to help exfoliate the skin, it’s also full of ceramides and fatty acids that support the skin barrier and help eliminate the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It doesn’t dry skin out and works to retexturize and retain moisture, making it a great pick for aging skin types.

“I carry both the full-size and travel-sized toner from Biodance because it’s so helpful when my skin goes out of wack while traveling. It keeps it balanced, gently exfoliates, picks up any residue, and never breaks me out. Some toners can be irritating but this one keeps my skin barrier balanced, ” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle, who has combination skin.

5. Best for Combination Skin: EADEM Gentle Exfoliating AHA & PHA Toner

If you have combination skin, you know the importance of balancing oily spots and flaky skin. This gentle exfoliating toner has AHA and PHA to slough off dead skin, plus colloidal oatmeal and even out skin tone and texture, making it ideal for combination skin types.

“My combination skin simply drinks up this milky toner, and after using it, my skin looks pore-free and calm. I like how lightweight the formula is, how easily it absorbs into the skin and how it doesn’t irritate or cause redness. This is a great one if you deal with moody skin, that’s for sure,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.

6. Best K-Beauty Toner: CosRX AHA Toner

This AHA Korean toner evens out skin tone and clears whiteheads. It also comes in spray form, which makes it easy to incorporate into your skin care routine (no cotton pads needed). Glamour senior analyst Loneeja Talukdar swears by this toner because it helps balance out her skin texture. “I’ve been using this toner for almost eight months now, and I’m really impressed. It has a lightweight, watery texture that absorbs quickly without feeling sticky. The mild exfoliating effects from AHA and BHA have left my skin smoother and helped clear up some minor breakouts, all while keeping my skin hydrated and balanced. Although it’s an AHA toner, it’s gentle enough to be used daily, and I love that it doesn’t irritate or dry out my skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, this is definitely worth trying. I primarily use it as part of my nighttime routine, and I’ve noticed that the serum and moisturizer I apply afterward absorb much better.”

7. Best Toner for Dry Skin: CeraVe Alcohol Free Hydrating Face Toner

Whether your skin gets flaky in the winter or is perpetually parched year-round, we have just the thing for you. Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and author of Skin Rules says this affordable CeraVe toner is great for any skin type—especially those with dry or sensitive skin. “It contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which calm the skin and help retain the skin’s moisture level.