Most dermatologists agree that applying toner isn’t an essential skin care step, but there are many excellent toners out there that target specific concerns for aging skin — especially when the formula is right.
“While toners are not absolutely necessary in a skin care routine, they can provide some benefits,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Carmen Castilla, who typically recommends gentler toners for people with mature skin. “Traditionally, toners were alcohol-based products that were often harsh and led to dryness and irritation. However, newer toners are typically more balanced and formulated for specific purposes, such as soothing, hydrating, exfoliation or balancing oil production.”
The most common skin concerns that board-certified dermatologist Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, encounters in patients with mature skin are fine lines, loss of skin elasticity, dryness and dehydration, so she says that finding a toner with “active ingredients to address these unique concerns can be beneficial.”
Best toners, according to experts and editors | Benefits of using a toner | Are toners good for aging skin? | How to pick the right toner for your skin | How we chose | Meet the experts
The best toners for aging skin, according to experts
Mom's pick: Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
- Lightweight
- Pleasant scent
- Can sting skin
Size: 12 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, aloe leaf extract, rose flower water | Scented? Yes | Alcohol? No
Camryn Privette, a production coordinator at Shop TODAY, says she "gifted this toner to my mom (Shelly Privette) and she’s loved it so far!" She continues, "She had never really used a toner before and likes how gentle this one is (shoutout witch hazel!). She’s noted how refreshing it feels and [that] the scent is great.
Toner on a budget: CeraVe Hydrating Toner
- Good for all skin types
- Affordably priced
- Contains niacinamide
Size: 6.8 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides | Scented? No | Alcohol? No
This CeraVe toner has ceramides for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and is fragrance- and oil-free. While it may not offer any dramatic results, Castilla likes this wallet-friendly, sensitive skin-approved toner for mature skin because it’s “gentle” and “works well for all skin types.” Plus, it can be used alongside anti-aging actives like retinol.
Editor favorite: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
- Locks in moisture
- Plumping, dewy finish
- Scented
Size: 5.1 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, fermented black rice & bamboo shoot barks | Scented? Yes | Alcohol? No
My tired skin drinks up this plumping, alcohol-free toner with hyaluronic acid. It’s one of my all-time favorite Korean toners for locking in moisture and soothing my skin (and I’ve tried — and loved — dozens), while adding a really pretty dewiness that looks smooth and lovely under makeup. The toner has a silky consistency that pats into the skin easily, and I’ve had no problem using it with stronger anti-aging actives.
Ideal for removing makeup: Avène Soothing Toning Lotion
- Removes makeup
- Very gentle
- Light fragrance
Size: 6.7 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Thermal spring water, glycerin | Scented? Yes | Alcohol? No
Castilla likes this French-loved toner made with thermal skin water because it “targets hydration and is formulated for sensitive skin.”
A milky toner: Paula’s Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
- Formulated for anti-aging
- Milky texture
- Not for oily skin types
Size: 4 fl. oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, omega fatty acids, glycerin, primrose oil | Scented? No | Alcohol? No
With nourishing omega fatty acids and antioxidants, this milky Paula’s Choice toner hydrates and protects dehydrated skin. “Mature skin needs all the hydration it can get, so this extremely hydrating toner is an easy way to incorporate more into a routine without feeling heavy,” says Jolie De Feis, a licensed esthetician, facialist and writer. “It also helps to reinforce the skin barrier, further preventing dehydration and plumping up skin.”
Brightening toner: Caudalíe Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Essence
- Targets dark spots and texture
- Soothes with grape water
- Contains fragrance
- May not be for sensitive skin
Size: 5.0 oz. | Key ingredients: Grape Water, glycerin, glycolic acid | Scented? Yes | Alcohol? Yes
With hydrating grape water and a light exfoliant, this essence gently improves skin texture over time and can help lighten dark spots, which is why board-certified dermatologist Dr. Katharine Saussy likes it for mature skin types. “If looking for [a toner] that’s targeted to help with pigmentation, this is one that contains glycolic acid to help gently exfoliate the skin and improve overall brightness,” she says.
Vaidya likes toners with gentle chemical exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), “which can help promote skin turnover and improve elasticity and texture,” she says. “I prefer alpha hydroxy acids like lactic and glycolic acid because they have humectant properties as well, allowing the skin to retain more moisture.”
Facial in a bottle: Epi.Logic Even Balance CoQ10 Facial Toning Formula
- Formulated by a doctor
- Botanicals and antioxidants
- Contains oils
- Light fragrance
Size: 3.2 oz. | Key ingredients: Aloe, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid, turmeric root oil, kombu algae | Scented? Yes | Alcohol? N/A
This hydrating essence-toner from Epi.Logic, a skin care brand created by a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon, contains the enzyme CoQ10 to help production of elastin and collagen and minimize the signs of UV damage.
De Feis loves this toner for mature skin because it “has unique and powerful antioxidants that can help against environmental damage, a huge contributor to skin-aging,” she says. “It also has gentle exfoliating acids that can help even skin tone and improve texture, a great way for more fragile or sensitive mature skin to get exfoliation without compromising the barrier.”
Expert-approved splurge: SK-II PITERA Facial Treatment Essence
- Lightweight dewy formula
- For fine lines and skin damage
- Very steep pricel
- Slight fermented smell
Size: 2.5 oz. | Key ingredients: Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (Pitera) | Scented? No | Alcohol? No
Proven to encourage cell renewal, soften skin, and diminish dark spots, this luxe Japan-made essence is formulated to treat mature skin and has earned somewhat of a cult following. Saussy likes this “all-in-one essence” for helping “to address fine lines, pigmentation and redness,” all while hydrating the skin and improving tone and texture. I’ve loved how nourished and healthy this essence makes my skin look — especially after a night of horrible sleep.
General benefits of using a toner
Dr. Hadley King, a New York-based board-certified dermatologist, previously spoke with Shop TODAY and outlined a few benefits of using a toner.
In a nutshell, King explained that toners can help shrink the appearance of your pores by removing oil from the skin. On a related note, they can help refresh, tighten and protect your complexion.
Depending on the ingredients, toners can also help moisturize skin while also preventing the formation of ingrown hairs.
Are toners good for aging skin?
As collagen production decreases, fine lines and deeper wrinkles become more pronounced, notes Vaidya, so toners with retinoid “can be effective to increase collagen production.” For people with dryer skin, Vaidya recommends a more hydrating toner, with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides that “protect the skin barrier and address dryness and dehydration.”
Toners may not necessarily be transformative, but they can make a noticeable difference. “Because they are usually less concentrated than serums, they can also be a great way to achieve gentle exfoliation or give your skin little boosts of additional peptides or antioxidants,” says De Feis.
How to pick the right toner for your skin
The right choice of toner depends on your biggest skin care goals, whether that’s smoothing texture or addressing dullness. If you’re unsure where to start, “a hydrating toner is usually a good choice, especially for mature skin,” says Castilla. She recommends avoiding alcohol-based toners, which can lead to irritation and redness.
For balancing oil production and treating breakouts, she recommends opting for a toner that has BHA or salicylic acid, while for rough texture, she suggests toners that contain exfoliants like lactic acid and glycolic acid. “For targeting hydration, toners with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin are ideal,” she says.
You may also want to consider essences, a toner-like liquid that Saussy generally prefers to toners. “I do think essence-toners and essences have a place in a skin care routine,” she says. “They help prepare the skin for later skin care products, provide additional hydration and may contain active ingredients to help improve things like pigmentation, redness, tone and texture of the skin.”
(For the most part, the words “toner” and “essence” are used interchangeably, but you can typically count on essences to be more hydration-focused and less likely to include alcohol. However, plenty of toners now are alcohol-free.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist, previously spoke with Shop TODAY about nightly skin care routines (and, of course, toners).
Henry told is, "After cleansing, apply a toner to rebalance the skin’s pH levels and prepare it for the next steps." She specifically recommended a glycolic acid toner by Pixi.
However, according to the trusted brand CeraVe, toners can be used post-cleansing both morning and night.
Still, it's best to check the instructions on your particular product bottle for the ideal order of application.
Toners used with retinol should not contain strong active ingredients, harsh alcohols, exfoliants or additional retinoids, which can cause irritation and damage the skin barrier.
“Even though it’s no longer the case, toners are often still associated with being astringent or stripping,” says De Feis. “While those toners do exist — and may benefit some skins — the toner category is filled with hydrating, reparative and calming options.”
Look for sensitive skin-friendly, calming, hydrating toners and essences if you are also using a retinoid.
How we chose
Shop TODAY enlisted the expertise of dermatologists and skin care experts who have experience with mature skin. We also took their advice on the most important qualities to look for in a mature-skin-friendly and also took into account customer reviews. In addition, we’ve tested some of these products personally over long periods of time.
Meet the experts
- Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Jolie de Feis is a licensed esthetician, facialist and writer based in New York City.
- Katharine Saussy, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New Orleans.
- Carmen Castilla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
