Key ingredients: White tea leaf water, ceramides, peptides | Benefits: hydrating, soothing | Who it’s for: people with dry skin | Fragrance-free: yes
Best Milky: Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner
Why it’s worth it: One swipe of the Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner and you’ll understand why we’re cheerleaders for the skin-calming formula. Marshmallow root and allantoin soothe irritated skin, while panthenol reduces the look of redness and moisturizes the skin. The results: a complexion that’s almost as smooth and bouncy as a baby’s. This toner is so gentle and conditioning you can use it twice daily without fear of over-stripping the skin of essential sebum.
Key ingredients: marshmallow root, allantoin, panthenol | Benefits: hydrating, redness reducing | Who it’s for: people who are prone to redness and irritation | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Anua Heartleaf Soothing Toner
Why it’s worth it: A little love letter to all glass-skin girlies: Anua’s Heartleaf Soothing Toner is the ideal face-prepper. Powered by the naturally anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial heartleaf plant (Houttuynia cordata), board-certified dermatologist Hee Jin Koh, MD, calls this toner a win for people with acne-prone skin. Use it in the morning and night as the first step after cleansing for an extra dose of moisture that’ll leave your skin looking and feeling soothed.
Key ingredients: heartleaf extract, glycerin, matricaria flower extract | Benefits: clarifying, soothing | Who it’s for: people want to calm breakouts | Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Uneven Skin Tone: Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner
Why it’s worth it: Dr. King says the Charlotte Tilbury Glow Toner is the perfect dew-enhancer for anyone wrangling dryness. “This acid-free hydrating toner is formulated with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin to replenish moisture into the skin, shea butter to support the skin barrier, and niacinamide to improve skin tone and texture,” she says. The addition of prickly pear extract supports the skin’s natural exfoliation process.
Key ingredients: sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, shea butter, niacinamide, prickly pear extract | Benefits: hydrating, smoothing | Who it’s for: people with dark spots and acne-prone skin | Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
What do toners for dry skin do?
“Toners for dry skin are like the extra drink of water your face didn’t know it needed,” says Dr. Gohara. “They help hydrate, soothe, and balance your skin. Old-school toners were known for stripping the skin whereas new-school ones can do good.” She adds that the right toner locks in moisture and creates a better canvas for your moisturizer to get to work.
What ingredients should I look for in a toner for dry skin?
As you may know, not all toners are created for all skin types, and your dry skin needs a formulation that won’t over-strip your skin’s conditioning natural oils. Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, says that dry and sensitive skin types should avoid harsh active ingredients in their skin-care products, like alcohol, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid, in order to reduce the risk of irritation. “If you have dry skin, look for toners with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lecithin, aloe vera, and rosewater,” she adds. Thankfully, these ingredients are not only easy to find but are featured in an array of skin-care products across any and every budget.
Meet the experts
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Hee Jin Koh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.