The 12 Best Drugstore Toners in 2023

Keep reading for the best drugstore toners that won’t break the bank.

Essential for nixing any lingering leftovers post-cleanse, rebalancing moisture and pH levels , and improving the results of proceeding skincare products, toners are pivotal for achieving a healthy and radiant complexion. Therefore, we’ve been dedicating more of our time and energy to the topic, dishing up the best toners for oily skin and the best alcohol-free toners. (You’re welcome.) Yet, there’s one major area we still have yet to cover: the blessed drugstore (i.e., ultra-affordable) variety.

Recently, we’ve fallen back in love with toners here at Byrdie HQ. It’s not that we ever stopped loving them, per se, but considering the movement toward serums, oils, and other dreamy elixirs that promise to gift us with fairy-kissed skin…well, forgive us if we neglected to give our once basic toner the love it deserved. Although, mind you, our favorite toners these days are anything but basic (or rough on the skin). “The newest generation of toners are less harsh than traditional formulas and can be either hydrating or exfoliating, but either way improves the skin’s moisture barrier rather than strip it,” explains New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King.

Best for Signs of Aging:

Best for All Skin Types:

What to Look For

Best Overall

Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner

4.6

Amazon

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What We Like

• Rose petal-infused

• pH-balancing

• Alcohol-free

What We Don’t Like

• New formula has less witch hazel

A true classic, this rose petal–infused drugstore toner is a dream for those with sensitive and dry skin. Free of alcohol, it will never irritate or overdry, and thanks to a helpful dose of organic aloe vera, it feels oh-so soothing after a long day at the office or outside in the sun. The brand has been around since 1874, so clearly, they’re doing something right. King is a fan of the entire line, noting that they use high-quality, naturally-sourced ingredients, including the organic witch hazel, an astringent that’s the hero ingredient in all of their toners, this one included.

Price at time of publish: $11

Active Ingredients: Witch Hazel | Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Normal | Benefits: Hydrates and balances | Size: 12.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Oily Skin

Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

Walgreen

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What We Like

• Made from 100 percent natural ingredients

• Purifying

• Refines pores

What We Don’t Like

• Smells like rubbing alcohol

This brand offers countless different takes on toner, but this original can’t be beaten, particularly if you have oily skin. The brand has relied on the same witch hazel formula since 1866, using a unique distilled kind of witch hazel that removes impurities without diluting it. Translation? The ingredient is more effective than ever at removing excess oil. This toner is also fragrance-free and consistently pulls in tons of five-star reviews from loyal customers.

Price at time of publish: $8 

Active Ingredients: Distilled Witch Hazel | Skin Type: Sensitive, Oily | Benefits: Soothes while removing and balancing oil | Size: 8.0 or 16.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

The 11 Best Toners for Oily Skin of 2023

Best for Dry Skin

Garnier SkinActive Hydrating Facial Mist with Aloe Juice

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

• Convenient spray dispensing

• Vegan

• Makes the skin feel fresh

What We Don’t Like

• Results not drastic to some

Okay, this may be called a mist, but for all intents and purposes, you can use it just as you would a toner (although you don’t even need a cotton pad to swipe it on, just spritz and go!). Made with 99% naturally-derived ingredients (and no parabens, dyes, silicones, or sulfates), it uses aloe juice to deeply hydrate dry skin. Best of all, you can use it post-cleansing (it creates a great base for makeup), post-makeup to help set it, or anytime throughout the day when your complexion needs a quick pick-me-up.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Aloe Leaf Juice Powder | Skin Type: Dry, Sensitive | Benefits: Instantly hydrates and refreshes skin | Size: 4.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

The 12 Best Toners for Dry Skin of 2023

Best for Sensitive Skin

Simple Skincare Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner

 Walmart

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Key Ingredients

Allantoin, also known as aluminum dihydroxy allantoinate, is an extract from the comfrey plant (which is native to temperate climates of Asia and Europe). It has potent healing and soothing properties, and may also help exfoliate the skin.

What We Like

• Packed with vitamins

• Gentle yet effective

• Restores

What We Don’t Like

• May cause breakouts for some

This checks all of the important criteria to look for when choosing a product for sensitive skin. It’s free of drying alcohol and potentially-irritating fragrance, and contains soothing and good-for-your-skin ingredients, namely soothing chamomile extract, softening allantoin, and restorative pro-vitamin B5. Made with triple-purified water to hydrate skin and better prep it for moisturizer, it also contains witch hazel to help absorb any excess oil.

Price at time of publish: $18 

Active Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Chamomile, Allantoin | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Restores the skin without drying it | Size: 6.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best Exfoliating Formula

Pixi Glow Tonic

4.5

pixi

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What We Like

• Exfoliating

• Brightens the skin

• Improves circulation

What We Don’t Like

• May cause a burning sensation

Pixi Glow Tonic Review

Key Ingredients

Aloe vera is a naturally derived ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. The aloe plant’s inner gel mucilage (the part that’s used in skin care products) is made up of 99.5% water.

This toner has a cult-like following, and for good reason. Not only do you get the astringent benefits of witch hazel and the soothing benefits of aloe vera, but this also has the distinction of containing a five percent concentration of glycolic acid. With continued use, that glycolic acid helps dissolve dead skin cells, leaving your skin looking brighter, radiant, more glowy…you get the picture.

Still, because the glycolic acid in here has already been partially neutralized, there’s no need to worry about the potential for any kind of unsightly irritation. Happy customers comment on how amazing and bright it makes their skin look, especially after using it for a while.

Price at time of publish: $25  

Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid 5% | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Instantly enhances a glow | Size: 4.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

What Our Testers Say

“After a month of use, I do feel like my skin looks brighter and clearer, and I think the dark spots are clearing up, too.” — Adam Hurly, Product Tester

The 10 Best Glycolic Acid Toners of 2023 for Glowing Skin

Best Natural Formula

Burt’s Bees Rosewater Toner

Burt’s Bees 

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Key Ingredients

Glycerin is a naturally occurring compound in the body; in topical skincare, it is derived from plants. It functions to draw water to the skin and continue hydrating it, making it a great ingredient for extreme dryness.

What We Like

• Blend of botanicals

• Natural astringent properties

• Effectively tones

What We Don’t Like

• High alcohol blend

The brand may be known for their classic lip balm, but amidst their skincare offerings this one stands out. It’s hard to find a toner more natural than this one, which is 99.9 percent natural, to get specific. 

While it does contain some witch hazel, it actually uses rosewater for its mild astringent properties (bonus points for giving it a light floral scent, too). Aloe vera and glycerin soothe and hydrate, leaving your skin feeling completely fresh and clean, but somehow supremely soft at the same time.

Price at time of publish: $39

Active Ingredients: Rose Extract, Glycerin, Aloe Vera | Skin Type: Sensitive, Mature | Benefits: Gently cleanses and tones | Size: 8.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best All-in-One

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

Amazon

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What We Like

• Removes makeup

• Affordable

• Fragrance-free

What We Don’t Like

• Can be greasy

Underperforming in price (that’s a good thing) and overperforming in effectiveness and quality, Garnier’s cult-favorite micellar water is an essential, do-it-all antidote for the woes of every skin type—even the finicky. Whether you need a refresh after the gym, an extra step to lift away makeup post-cleanse, or just a soothing pick-me-up around 3 p.m. (when that stress sweat seems to kick in), this best-of-the-best drugstore toner from Garnier has your back.

Price at time of publish: $11

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Hexylene Glycol | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Gently cleanses and removes makeup | Size: 3.4, 13.5, 23.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for All Skin Types

Botanics All Bright Cleansing Toner

Courtesy of Ulta

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What We Like

• Gently exfoliating

• Energizing

• Clarifies the skin

What We Don’t Like

• Feels a bit sticky

Formulated with natural AHAs from the hibiscus plant, this toner helps to gently exfoliate and clarify the skin by sweeping away inactive cells and removing debris. If the exfoliating part has you nervous, know that it’s safe enough for all skin types to use.

Price at time of publish: $16

Active Ingredients: Sodium Laureth | Skin Type: All | Benefits: Perfectly preps skin for moisturizer | Size: 8.4 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

6 Toners for Combination Skin That Create Balance

Best Organic

S.W. Basics Toner

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What We Like

• Intriguing scent

• Alcohol-free

• Made simply with five ingredients

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t remove makeup

A longtime editor favorite, this back-to-basics (sorry, couldn’t resist) toner features a straightforward ingredient list for straightforward results: water + raw apple cider vinegar + witch hazel + clary sage + sandalwood = a bright, balanced, blemish-free complexion. Plus, it also happens to be organic.

Price at time of publish: $20

Active Ingredients: Raw Apple Cider Vinegar | Skin Type: Sensitive, Acne-Prone | Benefits: Helps even skin tone and calm redness | Size: 4.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Signs of Aging

Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Toner

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

• Purifying

• Revives the skin

• Deep cleansing

What We Don’t Like

• Smells like detergent

This glycolic acid and vitamin A–infused toner is formulated to brighten the complexion and improve the appearance of fine lines by gently exfoliating and accelerating skin cell turnover. Skin will also receive a generous dose of moisture from sea kelp and aloe vera.

Active Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Marine Plant Extracts | Skin Type: Oily, Combination | Benefits: Exfoliates away dull, lifeless surface cells | Size: 6.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Best for Large Pores

Found Pore Care White Clay Toning Spray

Courtesy of Walmart

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What We Like

• Instantly tightens pores

• 97 percent natural

• Balances

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t leave a clean feeling

We already wrote an ode to this all-natural drugstore brand (yes, we’re just that obsessed), and this pore-refining toner just so happens to be one of the line’s must-have skincare standouts. Boasting white clay (to tame oil) and willow bark and lemongrass (to tone and balance), it has the makings and efficacy of toner 10 times the price.

Price at time of publish: $8

Active Ingredients: Willow Bark Extract, Kaolin Clay | Skin Type: Oily | Benefits: Absorbs excess oil and shine while reducing the appearance of pores | Size: 4.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Unknown | Byrdie Clean: Yes

These Body Toners Can Help Tighten and Firm The Skin Below Your Chin

Best Brightening

Mele Refresh Even Tone Post Cleanse Facial Tonic

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What We Like

• Co-created by dermatologists of colors

• Refreshes

• Brings out natural glow

What We Don’t Like

• Feels like water

This is King’s choice for those looking to combat dark spots, particularly those with darker skin tones. (Hyperpigmentation is a common concern for those with deeper complexions.)  “It contains lactic acid to gently exfoliate and hydrate, and vitamin C to brighten.  Plus, it’s free of alcohol, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and mineral oil,” she explains.

Price at time of publish: $10

Active Ingredients: Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid 5% | Skin Type: Acne-Prone, Mature, Combination | Benefits: Removes impurities, helps fade dark spots, and corrects signs of aging to reveal radiant skin. | Size: 5.0 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Unknown | Byrdie Clean: No