I Just Learned That the Wrong Toner Can Inflame Redness—Here Are 17 That Won't

With over 41,000 ratings and 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon, Thayers's toner is probably the highest-rated drugstore find out there. Witch hazel minimizes the appearance of pores and controls acne and oil production. The gentle formula doesn't contain alcohol.
Customer review: "I have been using Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula for about a month now, and I am very happy with it. It is a gentle toner that does not irritate my skin. It also helps to remove any excess oil or dirt from my face."
Pro: Crafted from 98% natural-origin ingredients
Con: Product is strongly fragranced

This toner has all the good stuff for dry skin: hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, and antioxidant-rich borage-seed oil. The gentle formula even works if you're prone to eczema.
Customer review: "I started noticing a difference in my skin after only a few days! I've been continually using this toner for two weeks now, and my face has been way less dry and red, makeup sits better and lasts longer, and my skin is overall smoother."
Pro: Uses a milky, hydrating formula
Con: Ineffective on acne scarring, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation

This soothing toner contains allantoin, which is a bacteria inhibitor that reduces inflammation. Other ingredients include soothing calendula and great burdock root, which targets dryness.
Customer review: "I've used this toner for 2 years. Gentle, and it does not break out my skin as I have sensitive skin. I love that it's alcohol-free and gives some extra hydration to my skin."
Pro: Soothes and reduces skin inflammation
Con: Not ideal for use with eczema due to fragrance

Made for sensitive skin, this toner protects from environmental stressors, hydrates, and soothes. It contains thermal spring water and protective antioxidants.
Customer review: "I love this toner. It keeps my occasionally reactive, combo skin happy and clear. It nicely preps my skin for serums and moisturizers. Unlike most of the toners/hydrosols I usually mist on, I like to swipe this on with a cotton pad. Nice, gentle smell and non-irritating."
Pro: Formulated specifically for sensitive skin
Con: Noticeable fragrance that fades after application

This toner is pretty unique because it has a milky texture that hydrates, restores the skin's pH balance, and cleanses. The formula contains humectants to draw in moisture, plus amino acids, vitamins, minerals, algae extract, bamboo extract, and coconut water.
Customer review: "I love it! My skin has never experienced a toner that actually hydrated it. I have sensitive, dry/eczema-prone skin, and it's always a struggle to find a good toner. Not only does this one make me glow, but it keeps my face hydrated all day! 10/10 would recommend."
Pro: Removes post-cleanse hard water residue
Con: Has pump applicator for single-use cotton pads

Both tap water and your cleanser can leave residue on your face, so this toner removes all of that while also softening, plumping, and delivering antioxidants to the skin.
Customer review: "This toner is super gentle yet cleans excess makeup or oil effectively. Its light floral scent is elegant and fresh but won't irritate the most sensitive skin. I use it every morning after cleansing to feel fresh and prep my skin for serums and sunscreen."
Pro: Eases inflammation and rebalances skin
Con: None

This drugstore find is alcohol-free, meaning it won't irritate or dry out your skin. It removes impurities and cleanses and conditions the skin.
Customer review: "I love how this formula isn't drying. I have very sensitive skin, and I haven't had any issues using this product! It removes any leftover dirt and keeps my face feeling soft."
Pro: Mild purifiers gently remove impurities
Con: Could be irritating to oily skin

Formulated specifically to deal with uneven skin tones, this toner mist moisturizes and smooths the skin. It has ingredients like stone crop juice, which has hydrating and nourishing properties; lavender to calm the skin; and jasmine, which contains carotenoids and vitamins C and P. 
Customer review: "I use this product as a toner, and it is amazing! It has a calming, super refreshing effect on my skin. I even use it to set my makeup sometimes. And it smells amazing! This is definitely one of a few staples in my skin routine."
Pro: Targets hyperpigmentation and sun damage
Con: Product is strongly fragranced 

Reusable cotton pads will help you create an eco-friendly skincare routine.
Customer review: "I couldn't be happier with these reusable cotton rounds. They're as absorbent as cotton balls, lightly exfoliating, yet still gentle enough to use around the eyes."
Pro: Portable and convenient
Con: Flattens out with use after being washed

Rose is the hero ingredient in this formula, making it a hydrating powerhouse. It contains toning rose-fruit extract, rose water, rose oil, and actual rose petals.
Customer review: "I feel like this toner has made my skin so much smoother and brighter. I've tried many over the past year because I've been having problems, but I definitely think I'm going to stick with this one!"
Pro: Does not strip the skin of essential oils or moisture
Con: Rose petals tend to block product

Made for sensitive, dry, and delicate skin, Mario Badescu's soothing toner relieves irritation and redness.
Customer review: "I've used this for a few years now. It's gentle but works to remove what washing left behind. Doesn't sting at all and only has a faint scent that is nice."
Pro: Removes pore-clogging residue from skin's surface
Con: Could add more dryness to dry skin

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that can even skin tone and boost hydration. This toning mist also contains aloe vera and cucumber to refresh the skin.
Customer review: "I've been using this toner for years, and I love it. I use it in the morning after my shower (and facial cleansing), and it has me feeling fresh and clean for the day."
Pro: Formulated with antioxidant CoQ10
Con: Not ideal for use on sensitive skin

This toner improves the hydration and texture of your skin with a two-in-one formula that preps, softens, and tones. The main ingredient is white leaf tea water to strengthen, moisturize, and soothe the skin barrier.
Customer review: "Really convenient skincare routine!! Now, I don't have too many steps in my skincare routine! I use this after cleansing, and it leaves my face moisturized for the rest of my day."
Pro: Enriched with amino acid–rich white tea leaf water
Con: May be too heavy for use on oily skin types

Reusable cotton pads made chic.
Customer review: "These are a great way to reduce consumption of traditional cotton pads. So far, these have done a great job. They're about 75% larger than most cotton pads, so you get more surface area. I use different areas of each pad for makeup remover, micro water, and then a toner."
Pro: Great alternative to the disposable ones
Con: Do not wash easily

Soothing colloidal oatmeal is the star ingredient in this toner, which works to combat redness and dryness. It's also formulated with antioxidant-rich honey, which is also a humectant, so it locks in moisture.
Customer review: "My dry/combo skin loves this. I am very sensitive, and this works no matter what state my skin is in. The oats really help with soothing the skin. Not too thick and not too watery."
Pro: Relieves and soothes dry skin
Con: None

If hydration is your main goal, PCA Skin's toner will do just that. It's formulated with fruit extracts and antioxidants to target free radical damage and dryness. It's fragrance-free, paraben-free, and sulfate-free.
Customer review: "This toner is hydrating and does not burn or leave your skin feeling sticky. It really does make a difference, and since using it in my skincare routine, I have noticed how much smoother and more hydrated my skin looks and feels."
Pro: Alleviates free radical damage and dryness
Con: Slightly sticky formula

This toner mist contains sodium PCA to improve hydration, chamomile and cucumber extracts to soothe irritation, lecithin to leave the skin feeling supple, and vitamins C and E for antioxidant protection.
Customer review: "I love this toner. It made my dry skin feel hydrated and not so tight. I spray it throughout the day when my skin feels tight. I've tried many, but this, in my opinion, is the best."
Pro: Helps restore skin's natural pH balance
Con: Slightly sticky upon application

This toner is good for all skin types, but it's important to note it's not formulated for sensitive skin. Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, while witch hazel, aloe, and castor oil all work to soothe inflammation.
Customer review: "Hands down one of the best toners I've ever used. I have sensitive skin, and this irritates [it] a bit, but [it] calms down pretty fast. This entire line of Supers has become one of my favorites. I'm 33 and wanted a simple skincare routine. This fits the bill."
Pro: Gives a gentle chemical exfoliation
Con: Not ideal for sensitive skin

Infused with passionflower and edelweiss extracts, this gentle toner will leave your skin feeling soft. It also works as a primer for your other skincare products.
Customer review: "After using the product, I love the results. It makes my skin feel more hydrated. It is easy on my skin [and] has a soft scent. Definitely will recommend to others."
Pro: Helps visibly plump and smooth the skin
Con: Slightly sticky upon application