14 Best Toners For Sensitive Skin To Add To Your Beauty Arsenal
Include these non-comedogenic toners for sensitive skin to flaunt only good looks.
Expertise: Esthetic Medicine
Experience: 10 years
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, is a medical advisor for the Health Reporter, the head of the anti-aging department at IM Clinic, and a regenerative medicine specialist at Swiss Medica with over 10 years of experience in aesthetic medicine and cosme... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
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You need to get two things right to get the best toner for your sensitive skin. While one is the right formula, the other is ingredients that do not irritate your skin type. Choosing the right products for this skin type requires utmost caution as it breaks out easily and reacts badly. But do not worry, leave it to us. In this article, we have brought to you some of the best toners that go well with sensitive skin types. Swipe up!
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD and medical advisor for the Health Reporter, says, “One of the main ingredients to avoid in toners is sulfates, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, derived from Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylate. Although it is often used in beauty products, it causes skin dryness, irritation, and allergic reactions. Nevertheless, it may be suitable for people who do not have dry skin.”
In This Article
14 Best Toners For Sensitive Skin
The Thayers Facial Toner contains witch hazel, rose petal extracts, and aloe vera. It helps add moisture to your skin, remove impurities, and protect the skin from damage. Witch hazel helps tighten your skin pores and make it smooth without drying. Here’s an honest review of the product. Key Ingredient(s): Witch HazelBest Moisturizing Formula:Thayers Facial Toner
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Certified organic ingredients
- Propylene glycol-free
Cons
- May dry out the skin.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD and medical advisor for the Health Reporter, says, “Aloe vera soothes facial skin, helps reduce the scars that often remain after acne treatment, and most importantly, has moisturizing properties, so it is perfect for sensitive or dry skin.” This is an alcohol-free formula and contains witch hazel extracts. It helps keep your skin soft and supple by removing all traces of dust and impurities. The hyaluronic acid in this formula keeps the skin hydrated, and vitamin E and aloe vera prevent moisture loss. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product. Key Ingredient(s): Rosewater, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin EBest Alcohol-Free:Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner
Image: Dickinson's Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Contains 98% natural witch hazel distillate
- Dye-free
- Soap-free
- Sulfate-free
- Does not cause dryness
- Does not irritate the skin
Cons
- Contains artificial fragrance
Best Oil-Control:InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner
This Vitamin C toner contains MSM that easily penetrates the skin to improve its elasticity. All the ingredients in this toner help reduce excess oil. The vitamin E and glycolic acid in the toner ensure to restore the natural pH levels without causing any dryness. This video will help you understand the product better.
Key Ingredient(s): Witch hazel, MSM, Lavender & Geranium Oils
Pros- Paraben-free
- SLS and SLES-free
- Mineral oil-free
- No formaldehyde releasers
- Synthetic dye-free
- DEA/MEA/TEA-free
- Cruelty-free
- Polyethylene glycol-free
- No unsafe preservatives
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
Did you know?Best pH-Balanced Formula:Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
This toner has a fast-absorbing formula that improves your skin’s hydration levels, balances the pH , and calms your skin. It has a viscous essence or serum-like texture and can easily replace the serum from your skin care routine. Moreover, ingredients like Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and beta-glucan soothe and calm sensitive skin immediately.
Key Ingredient(s): Centella Asiatica, Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-glucan
Pros- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Does not irritate the skin
- Does not cause breakouts
Cons
None
Best Antimicrobial:Orange Blossom Water Face Toner
This is a multi-use Moroccan orange blossom floral water and a natural, alcohol-free toner. The orange blossom water is a natural astringent loaded with antimicrobial properties that keep your skin healthy. This toner helps balance your skin pH, improves suppleness, and promotes healing and cell regeneration.
Key Ingredient(s): Orange Blossom Floral Water
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- 100% natural
- Alcohol-free
- Refreshing fragrance
- Removes excess dirt
Cons
- Takes time to show a visible effect.
Best Exfoliation:Proactiv Revitalizing Toner
This alcohol-free toner contains glycolic acid, an AHA that helps exfoliate your skin gently, remove dead skin cells, regulate excess sebum production, and keep your skin clean and healthy. It contains botanical extracts like aloe vera, witch hazel, chamomile, allantoin, and panthenol (vitamin B complex) that help refine your skin pores and reduce skin irritation.
Key ingredient(s): Glycolic Acid, Witch Hazel
Pros- Alcohol-free
- Reduces breakouts
- Reduces acne inflammation
Cons
- Contains imidazolidinyl urea
- Contains parabens
- Contains artificial color
Pro TipBest Fragrance-Free:Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
This toner sweeps away dust and residue from your skin and keeps it refreshed. The aloe toner by Mario Badescu is extremely gentle on your skin. It has a non-drying formula and does not contain irritants.
Key Ingredient(s): Aloe Vera
Pros- Alcohol-free
- Non-drying
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Contains propylene glycol
- Contains parabens
- Contains artificial color
Best Non-Drying Formula: Secret Key Aloe Soothing Moist Toner
This soothing aloe toner does not contain any harmful chemicals and easily wipes out the residue of makeup dust and impurities from your skin pores, leaving them clean. This helps in preventing breakouts and reduces skin irritation. You can also use this toner as a hydration pack if your skin needs intense hydration.
Key Ingredient(s): Aloe Vera
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Benzophenone-free
- No chemical preservatives
- Refreshing
- Pleasant fragrance
- Non-drying
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Strong smell
Did you know?Best Vegan:Tree To Tub Ginseng Green Tea Hyaluronic Repair Toner
This hyaluronic acid toner has a unique skin-balancing formula that contains healing vitamins like B5, C, and E. It contains ginseng extracts that promote blood circulation, brighten your skin, and soothe inflammation. The other ingredients, like witch hazel, aloe vera, chamomile, and grapefruit seed extracts, keep your skin calm. It has a pH of 5.5.
Key Ingredient(s): Ginseng, Hyaluronic Acid
Pros- No harsh chemicals
- No skin irritants
- Dermatologist recommended
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- DEA/MEA-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Fair-trade
Cons
- Expensive
Best Cruelty-Free:Paula's Choice SKIN RECOVERY Calming Toner
This hydrating and soothing skin toner reduces flaky skin caused by excessive dryness and helps revitalize your skin. It fights the signs of aging, reduces redness, and nourishes your skin with antioxidants that enable your skin to cope with the environmental stress. It delivers essential lipids, antioxidants, and skin-restoring ingredients to keep your skin healthy.
Key Ingredient(s): Vitamin E, Primrose
Pros- Fragrance-free
- Non-irritating
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- No harsh chemicals
Cons
- Might cause an allergic reaction.
Avène Eau Thermale Gentle Toning Lotion
This is an alcohol-free bi-phase toner that nourishes your skin, keeps it healthy, and prevents any damage caused by harmful free radicals. It helps reduce the effect of constant dust and pollution exposure. This product matches the natural pH level of your skin, so it will not irritate your skin. It protects the skin’s natural barrier. You have to shake it to activate the ingredients before using it.
Key Ingredient(s): Avène Thermal Spring Water
Pros- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Soy-free
- Soap-free
- Alcohol-free
- Oil-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Contains artificial fragrance
- Contains PEG
Pixi Vitamin Wakeup Mist
This is a treatment toner mist that claims to revitalize and brighten your skin. It has an orange blossom water base, which is infused with lavender and citrus extracts and arginine that keep your skin healthy, boost the moisture levels and form a protective veil on it. Spritz it on your skin to make it feel awakened and refreshed.
Key Ingredient(s): Orange Blossom & Citrus Extracts
Pros- Suitable for all skin types
- No animal testing
Cons
- Contains polyethylene glycol
ZO Skin Health Calming Toner
This is a calming pH-balanced toner that removes dirt and impurities from the skin. This s specially formulated for sensitive skin and helps soothe troubled and weak skin. It contains witch hazel that reduces the appearance of skin pores, along with a blend of hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and panthenol that conditions, moisturizes and calms the skin.
Key Ingredient(s): Witch Hazel
Pros- Paraben-free
- No harsh chemicals
Cons
- Contains artificial fragrance
Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Toner
This is a concentrated toner and contains a blend of peptides that keeps your skin healthy, improves elasticity and skin tone, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. It removes residual makeup, dirt, or soap and maintains the natural pH balance.
Note: The Environ products are “consultation-only” products as they contain a high level of active ingredients. Do not use it without consulting a skin specialist or expert.
Key Ingredient(s): Peptides (Matrixyl)
Pros- Contains Matrixyl (peptide for collagen-boosting)
- Contains witch hazel
Cons
None
You cannot pick toners randomly for your skin. You need to avoid the possible irritants and choose one that addresses your skin issues. Here are a few tips.
How To Pick The Right Toner For Sensitive Skin
There are two things you have to be careful about when choosing a toner for sensitive skin:
Avoid any ingredients that might irritate the skin or you are allergic to. Alcohol and essential oils are the common ingredients that might irritate your skin and should be avoided. Look for calming ingredients like rose, chamomile, cucumber extracts, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, lavender, witch hazel, and willow bark extracts. Ensure that you are not allergic to any of these ingredients before using the products.
It is better to match your skin issues with the product that you are using. If your skin feels dry, try a rehydrating toner. If your skin is hyper-sensitive and super-irritated, use pH-balancing toners. If you have mature skin and acne issues, use exfoliating toners. These skin conditions can be chronic or short-lived. Whatever the issue is, adjust your toner accordingly.
Anyone with sensitive skin knows that using the wrong skin care products can wreak havoc on their skin. Especially when it comes to toners, you need to be extra careful before picking them. The best toners for sensitive skin are devoid of alcohol and other synthetic chemicals. They are enriched with natural ingredients that will improve the overall health of your skin. Consider your skin concerns and thoroughly go through the ingredients list before choosing the best toners for sensitive skin.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach who loves trying different skin products. She vouches for the best toners for sensitive skin for a rash-free and cooling experience. She believes they are a must-have for people with sensitive skin and cannot risk using products that further aggravate their skin. She has researched the products and reviewed them to help her readers pick the best ones. These toners remove impurities from your skin and seal your pores to protect them from allergens and foreign bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can toner irritate the skin?
Yes, only if it contains ingredients that do not suit your skin. Check the ingredients before buying. Alcohol is one of the most common irritants, so do not go for alcohol-based toners.
Is toner necessary for sensitive skin?
It is not a necessity. However, toner helps to clean the residue of cleanser or soap that might irritate the skin and prepare your skin for the next skin care steps. Using a toner is good for the skin, but it is not a necessity.
Is toner the same as astringent?
Astringents aid in pore closure, oil dry-out, and skin cleaning. Toners assist in cleansing, nourishing, and balancing the skin’s pH. Sometimes toners come with astringent properties.
Is an ordinary toner good for sensitive skin?
No, using an ordinary toner on sensitive skin can increase skin damage, exfoliate it even further, and make it allergic. Instead, opt for special toners made only for sensitive skin.
How can I use a toner on sensitive skin?
Follow these steps to use a toner on sensitive skin effectively:
• First, clean your face with a suitable face wash.
• Next, use cotton swabs and dip them in toners made for sensitive skin.
• Next, apply it to your face gently.
• Let it dry for a few minutes.
• Follow with a good moisturizer.
Can I use toner every day on sensitive skin?
If you follow a healthy and disciplined skincare routine, apply toner on sensitive skin daily. Use one that is specifically made for sensitive skin; otherwise, it will make your skin more prone to allergic reactions.
