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The Best Toners For Sensitive Skin in 2024

Toners are some of the most confusing skincare products on the market. Many dermatologists debate whether they’re necessary at all. Here we get into whether you should use a toner and if it’s for you, which ones are best for sensitive skin.

One thing everyone needs to be careful with when choosing a toner is choosing one which won’t dry out the skin. Yes, even those with acne-prone skin!

When you use a product that’s too drying on the skin, you’re essentially confusing your skin. Your skin thinks it doesn’t have enough moisture and will increase the sebum production which actually makes your skin oilier.

Not something anyone wants! Make sure you use a gentle toner and not one which will cause irritation. I’ve put together the best gentle toners for sensitive skin in 2024. There’s something for every budget and lifestyle.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on Amazon and other affiliate programs. This means on some purchases I make a commission. It doesn’t mean you spend more, it simply allows me to keep this blog going!

1. Kiehls Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Kiehls Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Originating in 1851, Kiehls have a rich history and they’re a brand that’s always trying to improve. Kiehls is known for its solid, reliable products that we’ve all grown to love.

The Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner is no different, made with the gentlest of ingredients, it’s suitable for all skin types and can guarantee no irritation to your skin!

The main ingredients of this toner are cucumber extract and Allantoin. Cucumbers are known for the cooling and moisturising effects that they have on the skin. Allantoin does a similar job in soothing and comforting the skin.

Many people claim this is the only toner that doesn’t cause their skin to dry out. It’s extremely gentle on the skin, even those with sensitive and rosacea-prone skin have said this is one of the only toners that doesn’t irritate their skin.

Using this toner is like giving your skin a treat, it leaves the skin feeling refreshed, hydrated and ready to tackle the day!

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Extremely gentle
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Refreshing

Cons

Kiehls Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner can be bought from Ulta | Look Fantastic


2. Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner

A bestseller on Amazon, with a very affordable price tag, it was a no-brainer to check it out! I have gotta say, I was pretty impressed with what I dug up.

Not only is the Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner extremely gentle on the skin, but it has the best of both worlds- affordable and gives results!

You can expect smoother skin, with smaller pores and a brighter appearance with this toner. Its main ingredients are witch hazel, aloe vera, and rosewater.

Witch Hazel is derived from a plant that has been used in skincare for longer than me and you. It has soothing and inflammatory properties but if over-used, it can also dry out the skin.

Rose petal adds moisture back into the skin making the toner less drying. However, the rose petal is a fragrance that is kind of a downer. Aloe vera also helps add moisture back to the skin.

With all the moisturising ingredients that this toner contains, users commonly comment on how in contrast to most toners, the Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner actually helps with dryness!

A contradiction to what toners are all about but who cares! Just don’t overdo the toning:)

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Affordable
  • Non-drying
  • Gentle
  • Reduces pores

Cons

  • Contains fragrance

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol-Free Toner with Aloe Vera can be bought from Ulta | Boots


3. TruSkin Daily Facial Toner

TruSkin Daily Facial Toner

A bestseller on Amazon, it was hard to pass up on this one! With a host of fabulous ingredients, it helps all skin types and many skin concerns. For the best and quickest results, use the toner with their other skincare products.

One of the most impressive claims about TruSkin is how quickly you will see results. From as soon as one week, you can expect transformed skin.

If you suffer from acne or regular breakouts, this toner will change your life! It helps to close pores and minimise lines.

Made with Witch Hazel extract, it helps to reduce inflammation and irritation. Also in the fabulous mixture are Glycolic Acid & Vitamin C, which help with sun damage and uneven skin tone.

With so many instant success stories from using the TruSkin Daily Facial Toner and other TruSkin products, you know you’ve got a winner of a product. But it also means that the product is on the strong side so before using it, do a patch test.

You can expect marvellous results from the TruSkin Daily Facial Toner. From open pores and blackheads disappearing, to a more even skin tone with wrinkles and lines vanishing from sight.

Apparently, this is what you can expect from toners in the 21st century! The definition has undoubtedly changed, but I’m not complaining!

Pros

  • Anti-ageing
  • Helps acne and breakouts
  • Affordable
  • Reduces pores
  • Natural & organic ingredients
  • Alcohol-free

Cons

  • Has a slight smell

TruSkin Daily Facial Toner can be bought from Amazon


4. Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner

Combining a mixture of science and nature, Aesop has some amazing skincare products. One of them is this Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner. Formulated with botanical extracts, this toner smells amazing and does miracles for the skin.

The  Parsley Seed, Blue Chamomile and Lavender Stem help to deep-clean the skin and the Witch Hazel helps to refine the pores and soothe the skin.

You can expect big things from this toner, it removes all dirt that your cleanser missed and it evens out the skin tone for a smoother complexion!

If you think your face was clean after cleansing, you’d be surprised at how much cleaner this toner makes it!

Like all Aesop products, this one really delivers! It’s non-irritating and feels lightweight and amazing on the skin.

Be prepared for hydrated and healthy feeling skin after using this toner. Because of its gentle formula, you can use it twice a day without a problem!

Although they say it’s suitable for all skin types, I’ve found it to be more suited to those with oily skin, it’s not a moisturising toner so be aware of that.

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Soothes the skin
  • Made from natural ingredients
  • Non-irritating
  • Non-drying
  • Suitable for sensitive skin
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Pricey

Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Facial Toner can be bought from Nordstrom / Look Fantastic


5. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner

Korean skincare has really made its mark when it comes to skincare. While it’s hard to understand the ingredient list in Korean, their skincare is good, gentle and more importantly, it does the job!

The Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is formulated with only 7 ingredients, and as well all know, the fewer ingredients in a product, the better!

Its main ingredient- 92% of the product is Milk Vetch root type extract, it’s their active ingredient and has been used in medicine for many tears.

It’s non-irritating and helps to reduce inflammation and helps to calm the skin. It also has ingredients that help reduce the effects of UV rays.

You can expect hydrated, non-irritated skin. It feels extremely lightweight on the skin and comfortable. It doesn’t dry sticky and is great for calming the skin from over-exfoliating and the like.

All skin types can benefit from this toner because it is so gentle and only has benefits for the skin!

Pros

  • Alcohol-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Cruelty-Free
  • Non-drying
  • Gentle
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not dermatology-tested

Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner can be bought from Amazon | Walmart


6. Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Another Korean skincare brand for you! I told you, the Koreans know their skincare, and their products are often simpler with fewer ingredients. Move on from Tatcha, Missha have simpler, more effective and more affordable products!

There’s nothing not to love- except perhaps the Korean on some of their products, with this one we got lucky because it’s in English!

Sold as an essence/toner, this product basically does the job of a toner, but in a more gentle way. Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence delivers moisture to the skin and keeps it balanced at the same time.

It does this with fermented extracts that help to keep the skin healthy and remove all impurities. It also contains niacinamide and ceramides which both help keep the skin moisturised.

Do you know how they say that toners dry the skin? Well, you won’t be having any of that with the Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence.

It was made with dryness and sensitivity in mind! It adds moisture back into the skin and helps soothe irritation.

After using this toner, you can expect, softer, plumper and more hydrated skin! It will transform your skin from drab to fab!

Pros

  • Fragrance-free
  • Moisturising
  • Suitable for dry and sensitive skin
  • Affordable

Cons

Missha Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence can be bought from Amazon | Walmart


7. Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist

Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist

The Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist is an award-winning toner that’s ideal for skin that needs hydration pronto. It won the ‘Best Skintellectual 2018 at the CEW Awards and is a product that lives up to its name!

Ideal for hot climates, this is the toner you need when your skin feels like it needs a little boost. Extremely lightweight, applying it couldn’t be easier and it absorbs super quickly.

You can use the mist throughout the day whenever you feel like your skin needs some oomph.

Made with hyaluronic acid, Pineapple, Bergamot and Chamomile Oils, this toner helps brighten, soothe and brighten the skin. You can use it as a toner or as a mist over your makeup.

The one criticism I’ve seen with the toner is that the spray quality could be improved. It doesn’t always spray as well as it should.

The packaging could definitely do with a redesign but aside from that, it’s a great toner or mist- whichever one you are using as it’s great as both!

Pros

  • Hydrating
  • Lightweight
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Vegan

Cons

  • Affordable
  • Poor packaging

Balance Me Hyaluronic Plumping Mist can be bought from Amazon


8. Lancome Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner

Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner

This is an excellent option for sensitive or normal to dry skin. It has oils in it, so it differs from other toners in that way. It feels hydrating which is great for the winter months.

Made with honey and almond seed extract, it helps give the skin a smooth, soft and clean complexion.

While the Lancome Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner is called a toner and is also sold as one, it acts a lot like a moisturiser and feels like one too. It has a creamy soft texture that helps to soften the skin while at the same time doing a little toning!

The proof is in the pudding! People who never usually use a toner were able to use this one without their skin breaking out or drying.

Lancome has got themselves a really good toner here- or perhaps it’s the name that should change?! What do you think?

The only disadvantage to the toner is the price. Like all Lancome products, the Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner is pricey. However, the product is worth every penny!

Pros

  • Hydrates the skin
  • Suitable for dry skin
  • Alcohol-free
  • Non-drying

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Contains fragrance

Lancome Tonique Confort Comforting Rehydrating Toner can be bought from Ulta


When and how to use toner

As always, before using any new skincare product on your skin, do a patch test first to make sure you don’t react to it.

Even though all of the toners I’ve included here are for sensitive skin, everyone’s skin is different and everyone’s skin reacts differently. So don’t skip your patch tests!

Overusing a toner can have harmful effects on your skin. Once you’ve found the toner that works for you and your skin, don’t use it more than once to twice a week.

It may be tempting to use more often, but drying out your skin can cause a host of other skin problems so be clever!

The best way to apply toner is to apply it straight after cleansing while the face is damp. This allows the skin to get the maximum benefit from the product, and it helps reduce the chances of it drying out your skin.

I know this is contrary to what most skincare ‘specialists’ will tell you, but after trying this method out on my own skin all I have seen is a tremendous benefit to my skin. The flakiness that I always had disappeared and my skin is softer than ever!

After you apply toner, immediately apply your moisturiser. Again, this helps to prevent the skin from drying.

Read my full article on what is a toner and whether you should use one here!

Hollie xx

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About Hollie

Hi, I’m Hollie, and I’m passionate about everything beauty. Over the last decade and a half, I’ve tested thousands of products to bring you the best of the best! I also love bringing you fun and creative beauty looks. Learn more.

Beauty profile – 35, dry, aging skin, focused on aging well with a healthy glow and natural makeup look ✨



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2 Comments

  1. Linda Cooper says:

    Interesting and very informative article. 

    I only ever knew that a toner was supposed to be an important part of a skincare routine there was never an explanantion for using it or what it did. The few times I tried one I found it drying which with dry skin already, was not helpful.

    As you say though, they have changed a lot as has their purpose. I do like the sound of the first one as I know witch hazel is very good and gentle on the skin. I also like the sound of the Elemis one with apricot.

    It is good to have the information about using it, what it’s for and why it should be used, that is very helpful.

    Thank you, I have learnt something new today.

    1. If you have dry skin, you need to use one which is more of a moisturiser than toner. 

      Thanks for stopping by:)

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