10 Best Toners for Sensitive Skin (2024)

Anyone with sensitive skin knows that the wrong product can wreak havoc on their delicate complexions — particularly when it comes to products like toners. If you pick the wrong toner (or a toner containing harsh astringents or alcohol), you may end up with irritated or inflamed skin instead of the even tone you were looking for. In fact, many dermatologists recommend skipping toners altogether if your skin falls on the more sensitive side.

"Sensitive skin is an umbrella term for all sorts of skin types and issues," says Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab. This means that you could be sensitive but also oily and acne-prone, in which case a toner might be beneficial.

How to find the best toner for your sensitive skin

Our pros have some suggestions for what to look for (and importantly, what to avoid):

• Look for gentle ingredients. "Avoid alcohols, acids and astringents since these can be drying and can possibly irritate sensitive skin," says Danusia Wnek, Beauty Lab chemist. "There are alcohol-free toners and most have it written on their packaging."
• Choose soothing ingredients. According to Wnek, allantoin is a great ingredient to look for for sensitive skin, as it moisturizes and soothes. Other good ingredients for sensitive skin are hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and rose water.
• Opt for hypoallergenic formulations. "Fragrance, synthetic or natural extracts should be a no-go," Wizemann says.
• If you have rosacea, dry skin or mature skin, it might be best to avoid swiping on a toning solution.

Read on for the best face toners suitable for sensitive skin — and when in doubt, always patch-test, or check out a site like SkinSafe, a database that scores cosmetic products based on potential allergens for sensitive skin.

Bursting with botanical ingredients like anti-aging immortelle (helichrysum) extract, soothing rose water and hydrating sunflower seed oil, this toner is perfect for sensitive skin. GH's Beauty Director April Franzino says that it makes her face feel cooled and calmed the second she swipes it on. Bonus: she says it smells like immortelle flowers dried in the Corsican sun (but don't worry — there's no added fragrance!). Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid also help skin feel extra nourished.

This alcohol-free toner is packed with aloe vera and rose water to soothe your skin, while witch hazel helps clear out your pores. "It works well, leaving skin feel clean, fresh and refreshed," one reviewer says. "Non-drying. My skin is slightly sensitive and I feel like my skin is clean and somewhat 'conditioned' in a pleasant way."

Blended with oatmeal, an ultimate skin-soother, this toner helps repair and hydrate even the most reactive, flaky skin. "I have the most sensitive, dry, red skin as well as eczema on my eyes and nose, and this product is literally the best," one reviewer says. "It calms my eczema and redness so much while also hydrating my skin."

It's only natural that dermatologist favorite brand EltaMD would have a toner suitable for sensitive skin. "I have dry skin that breaks out very easily," one reviewer says. "This toner is moisturizing and calms the redness on my skin. I have also not had any breakouts since I started using this a few weeks ago." Amino acids, antioxidants and ginger root extracts help calm inflamed skin.

Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E work together to create a hydrating, brightening toner. "It really does feel hydrating and soothing," one reviewer says. "I've been using it for months and it's been such a nice addition to my skincare routine, it works perfectly for my dry and sensitive, acne-prone skin." This toner is gentle enough for eczema-prone skin.

Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, this toner calms and replenishes hydration. "I have super sensitive skin and it's also oily," one reviewer says. "I have tried numerous toners from high end brands to low end. They all irritated my skin and my face would look and feel like I had a bad sunburn. I kept looking in the mirror for the 'sunburn' to appear. But it did not irritate my skin whatsoever. This toner is my holy grail product."

Laneige has quickly become known as a holy grail hydrating brand. This toner is no different — packed with amino acids from white tea leaf water and vitamin E, it makes skin feel smooth and supple. "Works like a dream — nothing else like it," one reviewer raves. "Doesn’t burn or irritate my skin, and doesn’t clog my pores."

Micellar water is one of the most gentle formulas you can swipe on your face. The water (it's just purified water, hydrating ingredients like glycerin and gentle surfactants to remove oil and dirt) works to cleanse, refresh and tone. Heidi Goodarzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Newport Beach, California recommends using micellar water as a way to tone without irritating or stripping skin.

Known for gentle, hypoallergenic formulas, Kiehl's has always been a go-to for sensitive skin. This toner contains allantoin, a moisturizing ingredient that Wnek recommends looking out for. "I have always found toners drying," one reviewer says. "This one feels great. Very calming, and I have sensitive skin."

If you have sensitive skin but are still acne-prone, this toner is packed with calming ingredients like aloe vera but still contains mild acids that help curb breakouts. "I have very blemish-prone skin, and it is very picky with products," one reviewer says. "It kept me breakout free through my period. It gives my skin a glow."