Looking for best face toner recommendations? We’ve got you covered with our pick of the best toner for all skin types
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When you’re on a budget it can be tempting to abandon your search for the best toner and ditch it from your skincare routine, but good toners have more benefits than you may realise.
Toner gives your skin a quick burst of hydration while removing dead cells from the surface. It helps remove any dirt missed by your cleanser and helps stop any traces of cleanser from clogging up your skin.
It also results in brighter, smoother-looking skin. You can learn more in our What does toner do? article.
What’s more, just like a primer prepares your skin for makeup, toner can be seen as a primer for the rest of your skincare products.
FURTHER READING: How to make your own homemade toner on the cheap
It helps freshen the skin for your serum and makes it easier for your skin to absorb your moisturiser. If you’ve spent a lot of money on serums and moisturisers but scrimp on the toner, you’re doing your skin (and your wallet) a disservice.
In a bid to find the best face toner in the UK, we recently started a group test review series on TikTok. We’ve started listing the best toners that have been tested as part of this series, as well as the toners that we’ve used in real life and which we highly recommend. At the top of this article are the top scoring face toners according to TikTok as well as the best toners for different skin types and concerns.
If you’re interested in learning more about how we test toners, jump straight to that section.
This list is due to change and evolve as more tests are completed. These are the best toners as of April 2024. We’ve started listing the best serums and best moisturisers separately.
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£27 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
Watch the full TikTok video
Fenty Skin Part face toner, part serum, the Fenty Skin Fat Water ticks a lot of boxes when looking for top-quality skincare.
It’s not cheap – coming in at £27 – but it effectively does the work of two separate products in one. And, judging by our wide skincare group tests, it outperforms them all.
It gets its name from the fact it feels closer to a gel than a standard toner. It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, and manages to soothe redness and irritation while hydrating the skin.
In our hydration tests, Fenty Skin’s Fat Water increased the hydration of our skin by 10. 7 percentage points, or a percentage increase of 41.5%. Only the COSRX HA 3 serum comes close.
It’s vegan and cruelty-free and it has low irritation and comedogenic ratings.
This means that it’s unlikely to cause irritation or cause clogged pores – although these figures should only be used as a guide because the overall formula, when mixed with all the other ingredients, could change these ratings.
There are some flaws to this product. It contains ingredients that are considered “icky”, according to the INCI Decoder database. Namely fragrance.
It also contains a dye called Red 33 which, while not listed as an icky ingredient, is frowned upon. This is because the use of dyes has been known to disrupt the delicate balance of the skin barrier.
Elsewhere, it’s a pain to squeeze out of the tube but don’t let these points put you off, it’s a great product and the best face toner we’ve tested.
FURTHER READING: Fenty Skin UK: Rihanna looks to add Fenty Hair to her growing beauty empire
Buy now from Boots
£22 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
mamabella | mamabella Having been requested by many, many people as part of my TikTok series, the Anua Heartleaf toner did not disappoint.
Not only did it automatically jump to the top of my best toner list, but it’s also one of the best skincare products I’ve ever tested.
In just five minutes, it delivered a near 10-point moisture boost.
After an hour, this had dropped slightly by 0.8 points, but still meant that my skin was 31% more hydrated than before the test began.
This is impressive for any skincare product but especially so for a toner.
The other reason this toner scored so highly is because Anua is one of the best Korean skincare brands.
It’s revered for being vegan and cruelty and it’s surprisingly budget-friendly, coming in at just £2.64 per 30ml.
This toner gets its name from the fact it’s packed with 77% heartleaf extract, a great ingredient for helping to calm sensitive skin.
This toner soothes irritation and redness without a hint of harshness.
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£20 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
mamabella | mamabella If you’re not familiar with r.e.m Beauty, it’s another celebrity skincare brand.
This time from singer Ariana Grande.
Its Mist Thing Calming Face Mist is an ultra-fine mist designed to instantly hydrate and soothe the skin.
It contains lavender essential oil, chamomile extract, and rose water, each of which helps to calm and relax the skin.
In our hydration test, this mist increased hydration levels by a hugely impressive 13.1 points, or 34.8%.
This is the highest point increase and only the second-highest percentage increase, after Fenty Beauty’s Fat Water Toner Serum.
It scored extra points for being a fully vegan and cruelty-free brand, and while it’s not cheap, it’s not super expensive either.
This 118ml bottle costs £20, meaning that 30ml is just £6.70.
It’s not entirely perfect; it does contain a number of fragrances that could cause problems for sensitive skin but during our tests, we never experienced any irritation.
Buy now from Sephora
£9.50 | Buy now
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella | mamabella One of the most recent products we’ve tested in our hunt for the best face toner is the Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner.
Pyunkang Yul is a Korean-beauty staple and the toner performed incredibly well in our TikTok tests.
It increased the hydration levels of our skin by 12.4 points, or 33.1% after five minutes.
Despite then dropping by 4.4 points after an hour, it gave our skin a total hydration boost of eight points, or 24%.
In addition to being affordable, it also contains no icky ingredients on the INCI Decoder database, promises zero irritation, and has a comedogenic rating of 1.
This means the chances of it clogging your pores are low.
The consistency is watery and this means you don’t need to use a lot, and it absorbs quickly.
This can be used as a toner, after your cleanser, or as an essence.
If you want to try this face toner, we currently have a 10% discount code for YesStyle.
Just type MAMABELLA at the checkout to get money off this already affordable skincare icon.
Buy now from YesStyle
£17 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella | mamabella With a score of 54 points, the Haruharu Wonder Rice Toner jumped straight into the top three of our best toner list when we tested it back in January.
Not only did it increase the hydration levels of our skin by 6.5 points (19.1%) after an hour, but it also scored highly for being affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free.
In terms of ingredients, this toner contains a blend of natural ingredients.
This includes rice extract, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, which work together to soothe, hydrate, and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
Rice extract is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties, making it great at calming and nourishing the skin, while hyaluronic acid is a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture, helping to hydrate and plump the skin.
Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, then helps to brighten the skin and improve its texture.
For our best toner reviews, we tested the fragrance-free version of this toner. This version has been formulated specifically for sensitive skin and it doesn’t contain any “icky” ingredients, nor does it contain any ingredients with high irritation or comedogenic ratings.
You can alternatively buy a fragranced version of this toner which contains alcohol, lavender oil, and linalool. While most people should be fine with these ingredients, there’s a small risk that people with particularly sensitive skin or allergies could have a reaction. If this is you, just make sure you buy the correct version.
Haruharu Wonder is a cult Korean skincare brand that specialises in products that moisturise, brighten, and nourish the skin. The entire Black Rice range focuses on boosting hydration and if our tests are anything to go by, it well and truly fulfills its promise.
£4 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella | mamabella There’s a lot to love about the Simple Skincare Soothing Toner on paper and, judging by our tests, these promises live up to their claims.
The toner is formulated to be gentle and refreshing. Especially for sensitive skin.
It contains chamomile, witch hazel, and allantoin all of which provide a soothing and calming effect on the skin while getting rid of impurities, dirt, and makeup that may be left on the skin after cleansing.
It also claims to help balance the skin’s natural pH levels, which is great for anyone trying to repair their skin barrier.
Elsewhere, it’s alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and free from any harsh chemicals, making it suitable for all skin types, and it’s vegan and cruelty-free.
In our hydration test, this entry in our best toner list increased levels by 5.2 points (16%) after five minutes. This dropped slightly after an hour – by 1.5 points – but this still gave an overall hydrating rise of 3.7 (11.9%).
According to its INCI Decoder page, this toner contains no icky ingredients and has an irritation and comedogenic rating of zero. All for just £4.
We feel that Simple Skincare isn’t given the credit it deserves and we’re glad this toner performed so well.
£27 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella This face spray has a number of uses but we like to use it as a toner because it hydrates the skin, while also helping prep the skin for all the serums and moisturisers you want to use after.
As well as using it as part of our morning, and nighttime skincare routine, we also like to keep it in our bag and spritz our face at various points throughout the day to hydrate and freshen the skin, and bring our makeup back to life.
In fact, it’s a great setting spray.
It not only helps smooth and soften dry patches, but it’s also great for leaving your skin plump and youthful look.
The formula is lightweight and non-greasy and it contains aloe vera and chamomile to calm any redness or irritation.
In our hydration test, this spray increased hydration by 7.7 points (31.6%) after just five minutes.
It dropped hydration after an hour, by 4.4 points, but this meant it provided an overall hydration increase of 3.5 points or 13.5%.
It scored maximum points for containing no icky ingredients and having a zero irritant rating, and a very low comedogenic rating (1/5). It lost points for not being a fully vegan brand, and for being on the pricey side.
With all of this considered, the Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray comes in 5th place in our best toner list.
FURTHER READING: The best Clinique moisturiser for your skin type, budget and concerns | Clinique Hydrating Jelly review | Clinique Moisture Surge review
£16 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella | mamabella This Propolis Synergy toner is part-toner, and part-essence and gets its name from the fact it contains 72% Black Bee propolis.
Propolis extract is antibacterial and contains antioxidants, both of which make this toner great for acne-prone skin, breakouts, irritation, and sun damage. It’s made from a resin that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax together, along with tree sap. Bees use it like a ‘glue’ to help seal gaps in their beehives.
The propolis extract then forms part of what COSRX calls its Full-Fit Pro Barrier Complex. This also includes honey, and Royal Jelly extract.
Honey is great for speeding up how quickly your skin cells regenerate, which determines how quickly your skin heals. It’s also anti-inflammatory. This is particularly good for people who have blemishes or eczema.
While Royal Jelly has been linked with helping to boost collagen production and can protect skin against the effects of ultraviolet radiation.
That’s not to say this toner is a sunscreen, it just helps protect the skin against UV effects.
In our hydration test, this essence-toner increased the hydration levels in our skin by 7.8 points (22.1%) after five minutes. After an hour, these levels dropped slightly – by 1.3 points – which gave the toner an overall increase of 6.5 points (19.1%).
It doesn’t contain any ingredients that the INCI Decoder website classes as “icky” and its ingredients have an Irritation rating of 0, and a very low comedogenic rating of 1. This means the chances of this toner causing irritation or breakouts are unlikely.
As you would imagine, a toner that relies on natural extracts from honey bees isn’t classed as vegan.
The brand doesn’t test products on animals, meaning it’s technically cruelty-free though.
£16.50 | Buy now (UK) | Buy now (US)
View the full TikTok test here
Beauty Pie We were Beauty Pie members years ago, when the brand was still relatively new, and we didn’t rate it at all. More recently, we’d seen some positive reviews from people we trust so thought we’d give it another go – and we’re so glad we did.
The range and quality of products are greatly improved and one of our favourites is the Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Serum Mist.
Part of the wider Triple Hyaluronic Acid collection, the mist (as its name suggests) is a hyaluronic-based mist that is applied by spraying it on your skin.
Although opinions vary, it’s suggested that patting hyaluronic acid into your skin, rather than rubbing it, can have a greater effect, and the same is said for spraying it on your face, neck, and chest.
In our hydration test in our hunt for the best face serums, this mist increased the hydration of our skin by 7.9 points, or 30.4%.
This puts the Beauty Pie product in eighth place overall.
Although this isn’t the highest of hydration increases (it’s up there, but isn’t the highest), the reason it scored higher overall is that it’s cruelty-free, plus it’s a semi-affordable product if you’re a Beauty Pie member.
If you want to learn more about Beauty Pie membership, click here.
As with all hyaluronic acid products, it’s advised that you apply your moisturisers or lotions on top of the serum while your skin is still wet.
Buy now from Cult Beauty
£26 | Buy now
Watch the full TikTok video
mamabella | mamabella Dear Klairs was one of the original Korean skincare brands and it’s still one of the best.
The brand sells a wide range of vegan, cruelty-free skincare designed with sensitive skin in mind and one of its bestsellers is its Daily Skin Hydrating Water.
It’s a water-like toner made with 45% green tea water, calendula flower water, and coconut palm water to hydrate and soothe the skin.
It’s super lightweight and non-sticky toner and as a result, can be used on all skin types.
The reason green tea is such a good skincare ingredient is that it’s rich in antioxidants, which help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Calendula flower water has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help to calm irritated skin, and coconut palm water is a natural humectant that helps draw moisture into the skin.
In our hydration test, this toner increased the hydration levels of our skin by 4.4 points (15.1%) after five minutes and 5.1 (14.9%) after an hour.
Given how lightweight this toner is, we’d expected it to evaporate quickly but the use of coconut water as a humectant seems to have helped maintain and even increase hydration throughout the testing period.
Due to the fact it’s so gentle, Klair’s Daily Skin Hydrating Water can be used morning and night to remove any dirt or makeup after cleansing and help to even out skin texture and prep the skin for the rest of your skincare routine.
Buy now from YesStyle
As you can read in our How to layer skincare guide, toner works best when it’s used after your cleanser but before your serums, moisturisers and SPF.
Toner helps remove any traces of leftover cleanser as well as get rid of any dirt or makeup that wasn’t cleared away through cleansing. It then creates a blank, damp canvas for your serums.
This helps to make the ingredients in the serum more effective and, by keeping the skin clean, it helps reduce the appearance of pores.
You can read more in our guide to the hard truth about pores and why you can’t shrink or minimise them.
When to use a toner in your skincare routine largely depends on your skin type, the specific concerns you’re addressing, and the kind of toner you’re using.
However, the general rule is to apply toner after cleansing but before applying serums, moisturisers, or other treatments.
Oily Skin: If you have oily skin, you might benefit from using a toner in the morning and at night to help control excess sebum.
Dry or Sensitive Skin: If you’ve got dry or sensitive skin, using a toner once a day or even every other day might be enough. Opt for alcohol-free toners with hydrating ingredients.
Combination Skin: You can choose to use a toner only on the oily parts of your face, such as the T-zone, or opt for a balancing toner that can be used all over the face.
For each best face toner test, we use a gadget called the Mili Pure to record the hydration level of the skin on our hand. We then wash them with cold water, to make the skin damp. We then apply each toner or essence onto the damp skin.
We wait five minutes at which point we take a second skin hydration reading. After an hour, we take a third reading.
To determine a product’s total score, which determines where it sits on the leaderboard, we add together the points in the Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Hydration Percentage, and INCI Score categories. We then subtract the price per 30ml, and the Irritation and Comedone Rating scores.
Note: The Irritation and Comedogenic ratings should be seen as a guide only. You can find out more about this here.
You can also learn more about how serums work in our science of serums article, and explore the INCI Decoder and its ratings in our skincare ingredient checker guide.
Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget
