Have you ever wondered if toner REALLY does anything? If you are wasting your time and money by including it in your routine? Here are 8 Reasons Toner is mission critical to every skincare routine:

Toner rebalances the skin’s pH levels.
The skin’s pH level sits around 5.5, while water has a level of 7 so if you splash your face after cleansing it will affect this delicate balance. One of the functions of toner is to bring the skin back to its natural pH level according to this article.
Toner minimizes the appearance of pores.
Toners provide multiple benefits. One of the benefits is exfoliation. This benefit can reduce the appearance of visible pores.
Toner helps protect skin from the elements.
Toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, thus reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin
Gentle toners can help soothe sensitive or irritated skin.
If you remember your first toner (or toning pad…) they oftentimes would leave skin feeling tight and a bit irritated. Those days luckily are long gone. Today, toners oftentimes contain a variety of soothing, brightening, and anti-aging ingredients meant to nourish the skin after cleansing. This can be very soothing for sensitive skin!
Toner helps remove any residual oil and makeup left over after cleansing.
Even if you think you have the best cleanser in the world, no cleanser is perfect. Oftentimes this means residual makeup and sunscreen are left on the skins surface, clogging pores and wreaking havoc. Toner can be used as an extra cleansing step after using your regular cleanser to remove any residual gunk on your face!
Toner aids skin in retaining moisture.
Many facial toners particularly one that includes rose water or hyaluronic acid — is inherently hydrating. Boosting skin’s hydration while balancing pH to aid skin in retaining the most hydration.
Toner minimizes and prevents breakouts.
Toners for acne help remove oil and impurities from the skin, preventing pores from becoming clogged. Many toners like this one contain ingredients such as glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), BHA, and PHA which can be especially great for acne.
Toners enhance the efficacy of other skincare products.
Using a toner means your skin is primed and ready for any subsequent creams you apply. Washing your face with water after cleansing means the pH is disrupted and your moisturiser has to work twice as hard to bring the skin back to normal before it can get to work on its anti-ageing agenda. So in neglecting your pH, you could be wasting hard-earned cash on dream creams that can’t live up to their full potential according to this article.

If you know the benefits of toner, you know you can’t LIVE without a great one in your routine. Here are my top toner picks of 2022 that my sensitive combination skin cannot live without!

Beekman 1802 Milk Shake
From the brand: Beekman 1802’s Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane Facial Toner Mist is an alcohol-free, bi-phase formula that blends goat milk and mugwort with squalane and hyaluronic acid to keep sensitive skin toned and hydrated all day. Just shake to activate for skin that brings all the boys to the yard.
MSRP: $34.00 Here.
Earth Harbor Naturals Cloudburst
From the brand: A burst of hydration as light as a cloud, Cloudburst Balancing Gel Hydrator drenches skin in long-lasting moisture and clarifying botanicals that optimally prep skin’s microbiome for the day ahead. She quenches your skin’s thirst with an outpouring of glow-enhancing Marine Probiotics, plumping Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, and a balancing Wildcrafted Herbal Complex. Your skin will be singing in the rain with this instantly absorbing gel-to-liquid essence that’s ultra light on skin and leaves a natural finish!
MSRP: $28.00 Here.
Symply by Helena Rose Toner
From the brand: Hydrate, calm and refresh your skin with our revitalizing Rose Toner. Made with Rose Water and Organic Aloe Juice, enjoy a simple, effective combination that encourages clear skin and a moment to pause.
MSRP: $34.95 Here.
Bubble Bounce Back Toner
From the brand: Spray on and keep rolling. This spray-on toner instantly resets skin, adding hydration and balance while cutting mid-day shine. Throw it in your bag and stay toned on-the-go. All skin types: dry, oily, combo, sensitive and acne-prone.
MSRP: $12.00 Here.
Laneige Cream Skin Toner
From the brand: Using Cream Blending Technology™, Cream Skin toner and moisturizer contains the same moisturization as a jar of cream, made into the lightweight texture of a toner. The specialized white tea leaves are harvested once a year and grown in the shade, meaning more amino acids to help strengthen, moisturize, and soothe skin.
MSRP: $33.00 Here.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Toner
From the brand: Hydrate skin and tighten pores at once with the ultra-gentle Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner for supple, smooth skin. An essential part of any good skin-care routine, toners help prep and plump skin to readily absorb the rest of your routine. Our innovative formula contains a balance of hydrating ingredients and pore-tightening actives to equally minimize the look of pores and hydrate skin, with gentle yet effective pore actives such as PHA and BHA.
Inspired by the Korean Aqua Peel Facial which focuses on the duality of exfoliating and hydrating, this pore-tightening, exfoliating toner helps achieve instantly glowing, pillow-soft skin.
MSRP: $34.00 Here.
GlowOasis Milkdew Toner
From the brand: Give thirsty skin a drink of milkdew. This toner-meets-moisturizer features a blend of apricot kernel oil, soybean extract and cica extract to deeply hydrate, condition and soothe the skin. It’s the perfect energy boost your skin needs to revitalize dull, dehydrated skin. With a pH balancing formula, our vegan toner improves skin texture and tone. It also helps remove any last traces of dirt or excess oil that can cause pesky breakouts or irritation. Dew your skin a favor, achieve the glowy look you love with milkdew.
MSRP: $34.00 Here.
Indie Lee COQ-10 Toner
From the brand: Balance and refresh your skin with this hydrating toner. Alcohol-free and formulated with antioxidant powerhouse CoQ-10, Aloe Vera, and Cucumber, this non-drying skin spritzer primes and softens skin exposed to environmental aggressors.
MSRP: $32.00 Here.