
Toner for Every Skin Type & Concern
Looking for the best toner for your skin? Facial toners play an essential role in any skincare routine, helping to remove excess oil and impurities while leaving skin refreshed, balanced, and prepped for the rest of your routine. Think of a toner as the bridge between cleansing and treating your skin - it sweeps away any lingering residue and helps your serums and moisturisers absorb more effectively. We agree it's a way to take your skincare to the next level by specifically caring for your skin type. Whether you have sensitive, oily, blemish-prone, dry, or normal skin, we can help you find the best face toner for you. Keep reading to find your match.
Facial Toners: Key Takeaways
- Think of a toner as the essential bridge between cleansing and treating that preps your skin to absorb serums and moisturisers more effectively.
- The secret to finding your perfect match is to choose a formula based on your specific skin type or primary skincare concern.
- For normal to oily skin, an alcohol-free toner balances natural oils and keeps shine in check without stripping away essential moisture.
- If you have dry, sensitive, or mature skin, opt for a hydrating toner packed with emollients like squalane to boost moisture and soothe your complexion.
- For the best results, gently sweep or press toner across your face morning and night immediately after cleansing.
How to Find the Best Toner for Your Skin Type
When it comes to finding the best face toner for you, there are two main approaches we take. The first is to select a toner that matches your skin type. The second is to choose one based on your specific skin concerns. Not sure where to start? Consider your skin type first. If your skin tends to feel tight or flaky, look for hydrating, alcohol-free formulas. If shine and enlarged pores are your main concern, a lightweight, oil-balancing toner is typically your best bet. Read on to discover our top toner recommendations for different skin types.
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
A soothing alcohol-free toner infused with Calendula petals.
OUR BEST TONER FOR NORMAL TO OILY SKIN
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
Our Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner is the toner we recommend for normal to oily skin, helping to calm, soothe, and refresh your complexion. This customer favourite alcohol-free toner helps balance skin's natural oils and removes excess dirt, debris and residue that may have been missed by your cleanser. The gentle formula is infused with handpicked Calendula flower petals, making it ideal for normal to oily skin that you don't want to expose to harsh drying ingredients. It's a brilliant toner forcombination skin and oily skin types alike.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR NORMAL SKIN:
Ultra Facial Toner
It's a common misconception that toners dry out your skin, but the right hydrating toner can actually boost moisture levels. Introducing Ultra Facial Toner. Suitable for normal to dry skin types, the formula contains effective emollients like squalane, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil , and vitamin E, delivering lightweight hydration without heaviness. This pH-balanced toner is designed for optimal comfort, making it typically a brilliant everyday choice for normal skin.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR DRY AND SENSITIVE SKIN
Ultra Facial Toner
If you have dry or sensitive skin, we recommend our Ultra Facial Toner as the gentlest, most hydrating option in our range. This mild, gentle toner refreshes skin and removes remaining residue without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The formula is free from common irritants, so it's a reassuring choice if your skin tends to react to new products. Leaves skin feeling hydrated, comforted and toned.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR OILY SKIN:
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
If you're looking for the best toner for oily skin, we recommend Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner.The lightweight formula gently removes residue, dirt and oil without stripping skin of moisture. Skin feels balanced and refreshed.
Kiehl's Expert Tip: Even for oily skin types, it's important to avoid products that strip skin of its natural oils because when skin lacks moisture, it can actually produce more oil. This alcohol-free formula respects your moisture barrier while keeping shine in check.
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
A soothing alcohol-free toner infused with Calendula petals.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR MEN:
Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner
Finding the best toner for men doesn't typically have to be complicated. If you're the type of man who wants an easy skincare routine, then you might want to stick to using only a cleanser, but a toner can take your routine to the next level. As men's skin tends to be thicker, often with larger pores, we recommend Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner. This soothing facial toner, which can be used morning and night, visibly reduces blotchiness and surface oil. Simply apply after cleansing to remove any remaining impurities and help prep skin for your moisturiser.
Kiehl's Expert Tip: You can also use a face toner to soothe and refresh skin after shaving. Here's our super guide to shaving for men.
The Best Toner for Every Skin Concern
Beyond matching your skin type, you may also want to choose a toner that targets a specific skin concern. Next, we're recommending our favourite treatment toners, which can be used to help tackle everything from blemish-prone to ageing skin.
Our Top Toner for Blemish-Prone Skin
Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner
If your blemishes are a concern, then we recommend Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner . Our dual-action toner helps to gently exfoliate and soothe combination, oily, and blemish-prone skin. Formulated with Lipo Hydroxy Acid, it helps to refine oily areas like the T-zone and provides a smoothing feel and clarifying effect. Use it daily or as needed. If your blemishes are not caused by oil, then you should use a toner that is appropriate for your skin type (normal, dry, oily etc). For those searching for the best toner for blemish-prone skin, this formula is our go-to recommendation.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR ANTI-AGEING:
Ultra Facial Toner
As a natural process, skin ageing is inevitable, however you may want a younger-look and feel for as long as possible. If anti-ageing is your number one skin concern, we recommend this anti-ageing toner. The efficacious formula hydrates skin while helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines and skin texture for a more radiant appearance. This hydrating toner prepares and primes skin as a “first step” in an anti-ageing skincare routine. Suitable for all skin types.
Our Pick for Dull, Lacklustre Skin
Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Correcting Serum
If dull, tired-looking skin is your main concern, following your toner with a brightening serum with vitamin C can make a visible difference. Our Cleary Corrective Dark Spot Solution is formulated with activated C (a potent form of vitamin C), salicylic acid, and peony extract. It soothes and hydrates skin while helping to visibly even the look of skin tone. Appearance and clarity are visibly improved and skin appears brighter.
Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner
A gently exfoliating milk-peel toner that refines and smoothes skin.
KIEHL’S BEST TONER FOR UNEVEN SKIN TONE AND TEXTURE:
Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner
You may be surprised to learn that you can use a toner to exfoliate your skin. Our dual-action Daily Refining Milk-Peel Toner is an exfoliating toner that dissolves impurities while replenishing the skin's moisture levels for a clear complexion and a smooth, comfortable feel. Formulated with Lipo Hydroxy Acid and 23% Emollients, including Almond Milk, it's ideal if you want to refine skin texture without harsh scrubbing, and it's also suitable for sensitive skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT DOES A TONER DO FOR YOUR FACE?
DO I REALLY NEED A TONER IN MY SKINCARE ROUTINE?
WHAT IS THE BEST TONER TO USE?
WHICH IS THE BEST TONER FOR MATURE SKIN?
DOES TONER HELP WITH DEHYDRATED SKIN?
HOW DO YOU APPLY TONER CORRECTLY?
CAN YOU USE TONER EVERY DAY?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TONER AND AN ESSENCE?
IS ALCOHOL-FREE TONER BETTER FOR YOUR SKIN?
WHAT IS THE BEST TONER FOR OILY SKIN THAT WON'T DRY IT OUT?





