What is a face toner? Do you need it? How should you use it? Read on to have all your toning questions answered and the best face toners in 2021!

IMO, face toners are the skincare equivalents of Mark Ruffalo — great at adding depth to the team, but you sort of forget it’s there and…wait, what role did it play in the whole regime again? You could probably live without face toners, but why would you? The whole routine wouldn’t be the same without it. 

So this round we’re spotlighting toners, a skincare calefare. Read on to find out the benefits of using a toner, and its essential role in our skincare routine. Grab your cotton pads and let’s dive right in. 

So, What is Face Toner?

Designed for quick absorption, face toners have a water-like consistency that helps remove excess dirt, oil, and makeup, shrinks pores and balance out the potential of hydrogen (pH) levels of your skin. 

If you’re wondering why restoring your skin’s pH balance is important, that’s because the ideal pH level of your skin is gauged at 5.5. Unfortunately, many facial cleansers will increase your pH levels. Thus, it’s usually applied after to decrease your skin’s pH level,

Ingredients To Look Out For In The Best Toners

Short answer: It depends on your skin type. There are different types of face toners for different types of concerns. Look out for Vitamin E and rosewater for hydration, chamomile for its soothing properties, tea tree oil to combat oil and bacteria, aloe vera for redness or inflammation-prone skin, as well as plant stem cells for antioxidants — or if you wanna stay forever young. 

Best Face Toners for Dry Skin 

Look out for alcohol-free toners that are full of hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and rosewater, to help bring the moisture back and  restore that pH balance.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner

Credits: Humble and Rich Boutique

Why it’s great: It’s enchantingly pretty. But more importantly, it contains ingredients that can do magic for your skin too. The rose fruit extract and rosewater are there to soothe, while rose flower oil helps to add some nourishment. The Angelica leaf extract doubles up with hyaluronic acid to lock in all that moisturising goodness, so your skin never thirsts again.

For: Dry but not sensitive skin
Price: From £21.00 (~S$39.10)
Get it from Cult Beauty

Nacific Fresh Herb Calendula Tincture Toner

Credits: TesterKorea

Why it works: This toner is made out of 90% calendula water and extract that works to resist early signs for ageing like those dry fine lines. To reduce redness, it’s got one of my favourite ingredients — Centella Asiatica extract! Add some ivy and allantoin, and you’ve got your anti-inflammatory trinity. If that’s not good enough, they’ve included Vitamin E for antioxidants, together with collagen, and papaya enzymes to help shed off that dead skin. Say goodbye to dry and cracked skin!

For: Dry and easily irritable skin
Price: From S$20.90
Get it from Shopee

Laneige Cream Skin Refiner

Credits: Geeky Posh

Why it works: There’s just something deliciously luxurious about a good milky toner. When this toner first came out, it was promoted through social media to contain a whole jar of moisturiser yet maintain a super light texture thanks to their special Cream Blending Tech. If you’re ooking for more than just hydration, this toner also contains white tea leaf, that which adds amino acids that help strengthen your skin barriers and promote glowing skin. 

For: Dry and dull skin
Price: From S$17.90
Get it from ezbuy

Best Face Toners for Acne-prone/ Oily Skin

Fellow members of the greaseball club — we’ll be looking at two kinds of toners here: the calming ones that soothe breakouts, and treatment toners that’ll help to gently exfoliate and remove excess oil that inhibits blackheads. 

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 

Credits: The EveryGirl

Why it works:This toner does all the exfoliating and unclogging goodness without being too harsh on the skin. 

Containing Salicylic Acid, the Paula’s Choice Liquid Exfoliant helps to remove dead skin cells naturally.  It also contains green tea leaf extract, methylpropanediol and Sodium Hydroxide that help with acne, hydration and pH balancing respectively. 

I suggest using this once a week to allow your skin to get used to the product, before increasing it in frequency if you wish. 

For: Oily, clogged skin
Price: From £10.00 (~S$18.60)
Get it from Cult Beauty

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner

Credits: Kiehls Australia

Why it’s great: First of all, it smells like Yeo’s Chrysanthemum Tea — tell me that’s not a good enough reason to get it! But if this doesn’t win you over, its lightweight consistency just might. 

You’ll no longer have to worry about clogged up T-zones because burdock roots are known for effective hydration! Then there’s our star ingredient, Calendula, that promotes bright and smooth skin.. Mask acne be gone!

For: Oily, easily irritated skin
Price: From S$18
Get it from Kiehl’s Singapore

Purito Centella Green Level Calming Toner

Credits: Peau Peau Beauty

Why it works: If you’re into thicc textures, then you may quite enjoy this alcohol-free toner. It takes longer to absorb, but the benefits make it pretty worthwhile. 

Centella Asiatica is known for its soothing wound-healing and collagen-building properties, which I’m all for. And this toner contains a good 10% of it. 

The next time your skin turns into a warzone, you know who to employ. 

For: Oily, acne-prone skin
Price: From US$18.79 (~S$25.30)
Get it from iHerb

Best Face Toners For Dull Skin

Where have all the good skin gone and where is all the glow? No, you don’t need a hero — you just need some actives in your toner to give your dull skin a dose of brightening hydration! Think papaya extract, lactic acid and possibly some good ol’ Vitamin C. 

Some By Mi AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

Credits: The Klog

Why it works: Finally got past a breakout and now you’re left with dull tired skin? Fret not! This toner contains three types of chemical exfoliants — Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHAs), BHAs, and Polyhydroxy Acids (PHAs), aka the Charlie’s Angels of skincare to demolish all that clogged-up gunk. 

There’s also tea tree water and my personal skincare ride-or-die, niacinamide, to promote a clear and healthy skin barrier. For extra oomphf, the papaya and witch hazel extracts are added to boost cell turnover and restore your skin to its smooth and healthy origins. Glycerine is included to ensure your skin gets that tall drink of hydration it craves. 

For: Dull, acne-prone skin 
Price: From US17.15 (~S$23.10)
Get it from iHerb

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

Credits: Glow Recipe

Why it works: Replicate that post-facial glow by introducing this watermelon-scented toner into your skincare regime. Think plump and glowy skin without the redness from extraction. There are PHAs and BHAs in here for gentle exfoliation, together with watermelon extract and amino acids that soothe and restore your skin. Their pièce de résistance is still the electrolyte-rich cactus water that ensures that your skin never loses its moisture. 

For: That plump, glowing skin you crave
Price: From £14.00 (~S$26.10)
Get it from Cult Beauty

REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic

Credits: Shopee Philippines

Why it works: I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been conditioned to feel this way, but whenever I  see an orange liquid, I get the immediate impression that it’s good for me. 

First of all, this grapefruit-scented toner is cruelty-free and vegan. It’s also practically made of lactic acid which helps with gentle exfoliation and anti-ageing. 

There’s also willow bark in there for its tightening and soothing properties. Pro-tip: Put on some sunscreen after because AHAs like lactic acid can cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun.

For: That sun-kissed clear glow
Price: From £15.00 (~S$27.90)
Get it from Cult Beauty

Best Face Toners for Sensitive Skin 

It’s all a balancing act with sensitive skin. Too strong and your skin will burst into itchy inflamed hives. Yet, you still want the benefits that a good toner can give. Hence, we’re looking at gentle plant-based toners with soothing ingredients that will help protect and calm. 

Laneige Fresh Calming Toner

Credits: Parade of Love

Why it works: It’s a water-based hypoallergenic toner with no alcohol or oil in here. There’s deep sea water for the hydration, pH-balancing and strengthening of the skin’s moisture barrier. It also contains antioxidant-rich litchi chinensis pericarp extract (lychee peel) which is meant to bring some soothing comfort for the skin. Pat some on and you’ll be ready to star in your very own K-Drama. 

For: Sensitive, dry skin
Price: From S$40
Get it from Tangs

Clarins Toning Lotion with Camomile

Credits: Food World Me

Why it works: It’s without alcohol, a big plus for those with sensitive skin. On top of that, its water-like texture ensures your skin drinks up all that vitamin-infused goodness fairly quickly.  There is Vitamin A, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin E here. There’s also Chamomile added for it its soothing effects. If you’re a fan of soft herbal-floral scents, this one’s for you.

For: Soothing and a vitamin-boost
Price: From S$33.25
Get it from Lazada Singapore

Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner

Credits: iHerb

Why it works: It’s probably worth noting that this brand was launched by Pyunkang Oriental Medicine Clinic, an institution known for treating skin disorders related to a heightened immune response to allergies. So if you’ve got sensitive skin prone to allergies, you’re in the safest of hands. Use it as a toner or even for setting makeup. Either way, this hypoallergenic spray-on toner is great for hydrating and soothing the skin thanks to its  presence of barberry root extract.

For: Soothing allergy-prone sensitive skin
Price: From US$16.20 (~S$21.90)
Get it from iHerb

BONUS: Best Toner for Combo Skin

Because your skin’s a little bit of this, a little bit of that — you can pretty much use any of the above toners. However, if you’re looking for an overall well-balanced toner to prep and rebalance your skin with a little something extra to minimise those pores and gently exfoliate your skin, we’ve got you!

Krave Kale-Lalu-aAHA Exfoliating Toner 

Credits: Krave Beauty

Why it works: One of the most hyped up toners around, Krave Beauty’s kale-infused toner is probably no stranger to you. Marketed as the go-to restart button for irritated skin, this toner delivers with a beginner-friendly glycolic acid concentration level that gently exfoliates without being too harsh on your skin. 

Due to the lower AHA level, results might take a while longer than some other stronger toners. But healthy skin is worth the wait! 

For: Tired and uninspired sensitive skin 
Price: From US$25 (~S$33.70)
Get it from Krave Beauty 

Which Is The Best Face Toner For You?

With a whole bunch of toners to choose from, you’re now ready to prime that face for a good ol’ pamper sesh! Soak in the goodness without spending more than you need to by checking out with your YouTrip card to take advantage of the best Wholesale Exchange Rates! 

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^{*All currency conversion rates are accurate to the nearest 10 cents on 1 Apr 2021 SGT 6:30PM.}