11 Best Alcohol-Free Toners Worth Buying In 2023
Gentle formulations that make your skin look supple, smooth, and well-toned!
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Vaishnavi is a techie-turned-content writer and a certified skin care coach with four years of experience. She did her postgraduation from Vignan Institute of Technology & Sciences, Telangana. She... more
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Toners cleanse your skin, tighten your pores, and prep your face for other skin care products. Here, we have listed the best alcohol-free toners you can try to reap maximum benefits from this product. Stress, harsh chemicals, dust, and pollution negatively affect your skin and lead to issues like suntans, fine wrinkles, and pimples. Face washes and soaps aren’t going to suffice much longer. Your skin requires deep washing, which goes beneath the surface. Facial toners are the way to go, as you may have figured! In this article, we have listed the best alcohol-free toners available online. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dig into it.
In This Article
Top 11 Alcohol-Free Toners of 2023
1. Best For Reducing Pores: Simple Sensitive Skin Expert Soothing Facial Toner
The Simple Sensitive Skin Expert Soothing Facial Toner is a gentle chemical-free toner, that promises to be ‘kind’ to your skin. Its unique alcohol-free formula maintains your skin’s pH level and smooths your skin by reducing pores. Infused with vitamin B, this toner moisturizes skin and diminishes age spots. Containing witch nut and allantoin, this toner doesn’t just work on the surface but deeply cleanses your pores to give you a cleaner and fresher look.
Pros
- Maintains pH level of your skin
- Vitamin B moisturizes skin
Cons
- May cause breakouts
2. Best For Enhancing Skin Elasticity: Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic
Image: Pixi Beauty If you are one among those women who have acne-prone skin, then we have good news for you! The Pixi Skintreats Glow Tonic is so delicate on your skin that it retains the natural oils and doesn’t cause breakouts. This toner has a non-greasy liquid texture that enhances the elasticity of your skin. The aloe vera extracts gently work on your skin without causing burning or irritation and leaves your skin with a natural scent. This product has about 1448 reviews on Amazon for its efficiency in improving skin elasticity and radiance.
Pros
- Does not cause breakouts
- Enhances skin elasticity
- Has a pleasant natural scent
Cons
- Expensive
3. Best Hypoallergenic: Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Toning Lotion
Just using a makeup remover isn’t enough, as residual makeup or impurities can clog your pores. The Eau Thermale Avene GentleToning Lotion completes your cleaning routine by penetrating deep into your skin and removing all dirt, be it makeup or grime. The signature Eau Thermale spring water smoothes skin and leaves it supple, making it the right choice for acne-prone skin. This product is also hypoallergenic, alcohol-free, and contains no other harsh chemicals.
Pros
- Balances natural pH levels
- Hypoallergenic
- Suitable for adult acne
Cons
- Not suitable for eczema
4. Dermatologist-Tested: L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner
Keep your skin hydrated and safe with the L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner. It is formulated with BHA, that helps remove dead skin gently, and pro-vitamin B5, that protects moisture loss, reveals a brighter complexion, and softens the skin. It effectively revitalizes tired skin to make it clean, supple, and refreshed. This gentle and non-drying formula soothes your skin and is suitable for your AM/PM routine. This toner is backed by 5099 reviews and recommendations on Amazon for its ability to retain moisture for long hours.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- May contain fragrance
5. Best Antibacterial Properties: Plum Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner
Plum Green Tea Alcohol-free Toner fits perfectly in your skin care regimen, irrespective of your skin type. This 100% alcohol-free toner is a crowd-favorite for its natural astringent, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains green tea extracts that help reduce pore size, clear acne, and control blemishes. It also contains glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), which is a natural exfoliant that helps in skin cell renewal. It gets rid of all the dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells on your skin. It also unclogs pores and improves skin complexion.
Glycerin, a natural moisturizer, hydrates the skin and keeps it from becoming dull and dry. It has been reviewed by over 9000 users and has been recommended for oily skin that’s more prone to acne. This product is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and safe as it does not contain parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, or polypropylene alcohol.
Pros
- 100% alcohol-free
- Protects and brightens the skin
- Renews and exfoliates the skin
- Prevents the skin from drying out
Cons
None
6. Best Moisturizing Formula: Thayers Natural Remedies Facial Toner Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera
With over two centuries of trust to its name, the Thayers Natural Remedies Facial Toner Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera is one of the best natural toners. With the goodness of rose water, aloe vera, and witch hazel extract, this toner cleanses and moisturizes your skin, leaving it feeling fresh and relaxed. The rose petal extracts lock in moisture and increase the production of oils in your skin. This toner also replenishes the lost vitamin C in your skin, which helps fade scars and repair skin cells. This facial toner has no less than 13,107 reviews for its soothing properties and keeping your skin well hydrated. Do check out this video to learn more about the Thayers Natural Remedies Facial Toner Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera.
Pros
- Cleanses and moisturizes skin
- Enriches skin with vitamin C
Cons
- Not suitable for acne and rosacea-prone skin
7. Best Oil-Free Formula: Neutrogena Alcohol-FreeToner
Image: Neutrogena From one of the world’s largest skincare companies comes the Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner. Its alcohol-free formula prevents your skin from dryness, and its purifiers enrich your skin with vitamin C. Being oil-free and hypoallergenic, this toner is suitable for acne-prone skin. With just one swipe, it removes impurities, makeup residue, and oil that clogs pores, leaving your skin squeaky clean. With no less than 20000 reviews, this product has been loved by all for its ability to retain natural moisture even after cleansing. Watch this video to check out the honest review of the Neutrogena Alcohol-FreeToner.
Pros
- Pleasant rose scent
- Suitable for acne-prone skin
- Oil-free and hypoallergenic
Cons
- Skin needs to be washed with face wash before using, for best results
8. Best Organic Formula: Dickinson’s Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner
Image: Dickinson's With 98% distilled witch hazel, you already know that this toner means business! It is composed of hyaluronic acid that gently moisturizes your skin and aloe vera that guards your skin against the loss of natural oils. This toner also brings you the luxurious properties of Barbadensis leaves, which is an excellent source of vitamin E, that deep cleanses pores.
Pros
- 100% organic
- Vitamin E offers a deep cleansing experience
Cons
- May cause tingling on sensitive skin
9. Best For Maintaining pH Levels: Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
The Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner is one product that every woman must have in her makeup pouch, and here’s why! It maintains the pH balance of your skin, while delicately cleaning pores. Its fast-absorbing organic blend hydrates skin and keeps it smooth the entire day. Unlike other toners, this one comes in a serum texture that is easy to apply. This toner is FSC certified and comes in an eco-friendly package and is animal cruelty-free. Take a look at this video for a detailed review of the Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner.
Pros
- Maintains pH balance
- Organic blend moisturizes skin
- Serum-like texture
Cons
- May cause breakouts in acne-prone skin
10. Best For Reducing Hyperpigmentation: Murad Environmental Shield Essential-C Toner
Invented by Dr. Howard Murad, a practicing dermatologist in the USA, this toner is made by understanding the ‘the science of water.’ With its patented Environmental Shield Essential-C formula, it fights against all signs of skin damage, including pigmentation and dryness. It is composed of coneflower and licorice that enhances skin tone and smoothen out fine lines. This product is ethically made, with no animal testing and free from alcohol, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Pros
- Brightens skin tone
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
Cons
- Has a strong smell
11. Best Antiseptic Properties: SKIN & CO Roma Truffle Therapy Essential Face Toner
The Skin & Co Roma Truffle Therapy Face Toner not only comes in a picture-perfect chic bottle, but its formulation is highly effective on all skin types. It contains antiseptic properties that exfoliate your skin by removing dead cells and dirt. For best results, following the toner with the serum and therapy cream is advised. Composed of calendula, this toner soothes and heals irritated skin, while glycerin increases your skin’s ability to reserve water.
Pros
- Designed for all skin types
- Contains antiseptic properties
Cons
- Expensive
Toners are water-based formulations that prep your skin for other products by tightening the pores and cleaning the dermis of residues. Apart from being alcohol-free there are some important features you should look for while choosing your alcohol-free toner. Check out the list of factors given below to choose the best ones for your skin.
How To Find The Best Alcohol-Free Toner
- Formulation
Lightweight, non-greasy formulations that are free of fragrance and synthetic extracts are preferred as they are gentle on the skin. They are less likely to cause allergic reactions and will keep your skin safe especially, if you have super-sensitive skin.
- Ingredients To Look For
Choose a toner with ingredients that have soothing properties. Allontin, hyaluronic acid, rose water, licorice, vitamin E oil, calendula, chamomile extracts, and aloe vera have moisturizing properties while being gentle on the skin. They are able to help curb breakouts and refresh the skin instantly. Plant-based ingredients are also good options for sensitive skin.
- Ingredients To Avoid
Steer clear of toners with parabens, phthalates, silicones, and sulfates. These will have drying effects and can irritate your skin. They strip your skin of natural moisture and cause excessive dryness.
- Skin Type
If you have dry skin opt for a toner with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. For an oily skin type choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic formula with green tea extracts that help in shrinking pores.
- Additional Benefits
- Maintains pH Balance
This is a critical function of a toner, as the cleansers you use prior to the toner do not have the right alkaline level. They disrupt the pH levels of your skin which leads to weakened skin barrier, clogged pores, and premature aging. A pH of 5.5 is optimal for your skin, this pH level keeps you looking radiant and also safe from harmful bacteria. Look for ingredients like calendula, lavender extracts, and witch hazel that have soothing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Controls Sebum Production
A toner for oily skin helps to remove excess sebum while minimizing open pores to keep your skin clear and acne-free. Look for toners with BHA and AHA for mild exfoliating properties. The presence of witch hazel, ceramides, and niacinamide helps to regulate oil production while keeping your skin from drying out.
Try using the best alcohol-free toners if you want to reap the maximum benefits out of your cleansing routine. Besides cleansing your skin, these toners will help tighten your pores while prepping your skin for other skin care products. The reviewed options mentioned in the curated list have a hypoallergenic formula free of all harsh additives. They are gentle, effective, and a must-have in your skin care arsenal. In addition, these toners prevent your skin from drying out. Incorporating an alcohol-free toner in your skincare routine will be your ultimate secret to flawless skin. Besides using an alcohol-free toner, you also need to correctly follow the other steps of your cleansing routine to get flawless skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Vaishnavi Kothuri, the author, is a skin care enthusiast who likes to review beauty products. She has compiled this product list of the best alcohol-free toners for you. Sneha has carefully researched thousands of user reviews and feedback over several platforms to select the best products. These products are excellent in quality and help clean and tighten your pores so you can flaunt healthy skin every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is alcohol-free toner better?
Yes, alcohol-free toners are way better than tones that contain alcohol. Unlike their counterparts, alcohol-free toners are gentle on the skin and do not damage it by stripping it off its natural oils. Most of them contain plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, which moisturizes your skin, keeping it soft and supple.
Which toner does not contain alcohol?
Now that women understand the harmful effects of alcohol in toners, there is a rise in the demand for alcohol-free toners. The 10 products listed above are the best alcohol-free options that you can get your hands on.
Do all toners have alcohol?
No, not all toners contain alcohol. Some toners contain milder chemicals like hyaluronic acid, while many others are entirely organic.
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