While most people don't necessarily need a toner to take good care of their skin, some skin types can really benefit from a toner. Here are some recommendations, depending on your skin type:
Oily or acne-prone skin may need an extra few swipes to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup, even after washing. Look for ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acids, which can penetrate the oil glands and unclog pores. Try Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion, which contains 1.5 percent salicylic acid along with witch hazel, an astringent that helps control shine. Or try Boots Botanics Skin Brightening Lotion, which contains glycolic acid from sugar cane extract. As with many toners that are meant for oily skin, both of these contain alcohol, which can dry your skin, so use them sparingly if you're also using acne medicine such as benzoyl peroxide.
Dry skin can always use extra moisture, so look for an alcohol-free toner with hydrating ingredients like glycerin. Nivea Visage Gentle Toner contains glycerin along with sweet almond oil and calendula extract, which helps soothe irritated skin. Caudalie Toning Lotion is also free of alcohol and contains Vinolevure, a proprietary ingredient derived from wine yeast that holds moisture in the skin. It has a light, refreshing citrus-mint fragrance.
Sensitive skin can become irritated if you rub a cotton ball over it, so look for spray toners with skin-soothing ingredients. Boscia Balancing Facial Tonic has such natural ingredients as lavender flower water and willow herb extract, which calm angry skin, and jojoba leaf extract, an antioxidant. Spritz before moisturizing for extra hydration, and during the day to freshen your makeup.
