Toners have evolved significantly from the alcohol-heavy astringents of the past. Today’s formulas are designed to support skin health by refining texture, restoring hydration and preparing the skin for the steps that follow. Knowing how to use toner correctly can help support your skin’s balance, texture and hydration.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use toner as part of a complete skincare routine. We’ll explore what it does, how to choose the right formula and where it fits within your daily steps. You’ll also find practical advice supported by expert insights and ingredient science.
Understanding Toner and Its Benefits
Toner is a water-based liquid applied after cleansing and before serums or moisturizers. Its role is to prepare the skin for the steps that follow by supporting pH balance, removing any remaining residue and delivering a light layer of hydration. Toners today are far more advanced than older formulations and can now include ingredients that target specific concerns like dryness, oiliness or sensitivity.
What is Toner used for in Skincare?
Toners are used to rebalance the skin after cleansing and remove any remaining impurities. This can include cleanser residue or hard water minerals. Some also contain mild exfoliants or hydrating ingredients that help refine the surface and support barrier function. When applied consistently, toner helps improve the absorption of subsequent products and creates a smoother base for your skincare routine. A light sweep of a direct acid or hydrating toner can help other active ingredients in your regimen absorb more effectively and work to their full potential.
Benefits of Using Toner
Many toners deliver hydration through ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, helping to restore water content lost during cleansing. Others support the skin barrier with ingredients such as niacinamide or ceramides. Toner can also help refine skin texture and calm visible redness or irritation. Used consistently, it contributes to a balanced and even-looking complexion.
Types of Toners and Their Roles
Toners can serve different functions depending on their formulation. Some are designed to hydrate and soothe, while others help with oil control or skin refinement. Each toner type plays a different role in skincare, and knowing those differences can help you apply toner in a way that supports your skin type.
Alcohol-Free Toner
Alcohol-free toners are most ideal for maintaining hydration and supporting the skin barrier. They are often formulated with ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera or rose water, and are especially useful for those with dry or sensitive skin. These toners cleanse without disrupting the skin’s natural oils and help maintain a calm, balanced appearance.
pH-Balanced Toner
The skin’s natural pH sits slightly on the acidic side. A pH-balanced toner helps preserve this acidity, which is important for barrier function and overall skin health. Using a toner that supports this balance may reduce the likelihood of irritation and can help maintain a smoother, more resilient complexion over time.
Specialized Ingredients
Many toners contain targeted active ingredients designed to address specific concerns. Hyaluronic acid is often used to draw in moisture and support hydration. Niacinamide can help refine pores and even out tone, while ceramides support the skin’s barrier and prevent moisture loss. Knowing how to use toner that includes these ingredients allows you to enhance your routine without adding unnecessary steps.
Choosing the Right Toner for Your Skin Type
Different skin types respond best to different toner formulations. Your skin type plays an important role in determining which formula will deliver the most benefit without causing dryness, irritation or congestion. Once you understand how to use toner properly, selecting a formula that complements your skin becomes an easy part of your routine.
Toners for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Oily and blemish-prone skin types often benefit from toners that include gentle exfoliants or oil-regulating ingredients. Look for non-comedogenic formulas that contain ingredients such as salicylic acid, niacinamide or witch hazel. These help reduce buildup in pores, support clarity and maintain a fresh, balanced appearance. Avoid toners that include high levels of alcohol or fragrance, as these can trigger excess oil production or irritation.
Toners for Sensitive or Dry Skin
Dry or reactive skin typically needs a toner that supports hydration and reinforces the skin barrier. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol or oat extract offer comfort while helping retain moisture. A fragrance-free, alcohol-free toner is usually best for this skin type. If your skin tends to sting or flush easily, always patch test first before adding a new product to your routine.
Toners for Combination and Mature Skin
Combination skin may require a more balanced approach. Choose a toner that offers lightweight hydration while also helping to refine texture and support tone. For more mature skin, look for ingredients like peptides, antioxidants or polyhydroxy acids. These support radiance, encourage skin renewal and help maintain comfort without overwhelming the skin.
How to Incorporate Toner into Your Skincare Routine
Toner works best when it’s used consistently and applied at the right step in your routine. It helps prepare the skin for serums and moisturizers by supporting hydration, removing leftover residue from cleansing and improving product absorption.
Correct Order of Application
Toner is typically applied directly after cleansing. It acts as a transition step to remove any remaining impurities while delivering ingredients that support balance and barrier function. After toner, follow with your serums, moisturizer and sunscreen in the morning, or with any treatment products and moisturizer at night. Knowing how to use toner in the correct sequence also helps maximize the benefits of the rest of your routine.
Application Techniques
There’s no single right way to apply toner, and your method can depend on the product’s consistency and your skin goals. Some formulas are best applied with a cotton pad to sweep away remaining residue, while others can be pressed in with clean hands for better absorption. Mist formats may be preferred for mid-day refreshment or for layering light hydration throughout the day. Always allow the product to absorb fully before moving to the next step.
Frequency and Timing
Most toners are designed for use twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. If your toner contains active ingredients such as exfoliating acids or retinol-like compounds, you may need to adjust frequency based on skin tolerance. For hydrating or barrier-supporting formulas, daily use is typically well tolerated. As with any product, consistency is more important than overuse.
Expert Recommendations and Scientific Support
Toners are often misunderstood as optional, but many dermatologists and skincare professionals consider them a supportive step for improving overall skin function. When formulated correctly, toner can help rehydrate the skin after cleansing, maintain proper pH and improve the performance of serums and moisturizers that follow.
Dermatologist Guidance
Toner serves as a helpful bridge between cleansing and targeted treatment. It helps clear away any residue that might interfere with ingredient absorption and supports a smoother skin surface. For individuals using actives such as retinoids or exfoliating acids, toner can help reduce the potential for irritation by restoring hydration and promoting balance.
Experts often advise selecting a toner based on skin type and concern. Those with dry or sensitive skin are typically encouraged to choose fragrance-free, alcohol-free options. For oily or acne-prone skin, toners containing salicylic acid, niacinamide or witch hazel are often recommended to help reduce visible oiliness and congestion.
Scientific and Organizational References
Several peer-reviewed studies support toner’s role in maintaining skin health. A 2023 study in the Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research found that toners can help restore the skin’s pH after cleansing, which is essential for maintaining barrier function and hydration. Cleansing with high-pH products can disrupt the skin’s acid mantle, which serves as a natural protective barrier. This disruption may lead to increased dryness, sensitivity, and irritation, issues that properly formulated toners can help address.
The same study also observed improvements in overall skin appearance among participants who used a toner consistently as part of their daily routine. Benefits included reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), better absorption of follow-up products, and enhanced skin texture. These findings align with clinical results from products like Press & Glow, which is clinically proven to deliver a visibly smoother skin surface with a more even tone over time.* It also showed a 20% improvement in skin glow after four weeks of use.*
Complementary findings in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science reinforced these conclusions, citing that pH-balanced toners can support ingredient efficacy and help regulate oil production without irritation. Products designed with sensitive skin in mind, such as Press & Clear, have also demonstrated strong performance: within seven days, participants experienced visibly clarified skin, and within 14 days, improvements in the appearance of pores and blackheads were noted.* Clinical studies also found that 96% of sensitive, congested skin users found Press & Clear to be gentle, while 89% showed improvements in barrier function.* Additionally, 93% agreed that the formula helped reduce surface imperfections within four weeks of use.*
Together, this research highlights how toner can be a simple but impactful step in building a more effective skincare routine for all skin types.
Medik8 Toners and Skincare Products
Toners vary widely in strength, ingredients and texture. Picking one suited to your skin goals ensures you gain benefits like clarity, hydration or barrier support without irritation. Several toners are available that support common skin concerns like hydration, dullness, and sensitivity.
Medik8’s Press & Glow is a hydrating polyhydroxy acid (PHA) toner that gently exfoliates while helping skin maintain moisture. Its low-irritation formula makes it suitable for regular use, even on sensitive skin. For those managing blemishes or post-blemish marks, Press & Clear combines gentle exfoliation with a pH-balanced formula. Its inclusion of tranexamic acid and polylysine makes it especially useful for skin that is both sensitive and breakout-prone. Both of these options are designed to work well within a layered routine, complementing serums and moisturizers without overwhelming the skin.
*Proven via independent clinical study on Press & Glow. Tested on 31 participants over 4 weeks.
*Proven via independent consumer study conducted over 4 weeks on 50 participants with sensitive, congested skins.
**Proven via independent clinical study conducted over 8 weeks on 28 participants with sensitive, congested skins.