Skip to Content

10 Best Toners for Sensitive Skin

Know what ingredients to look for.

By
toners for sensitive skin
courtesy

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

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.

1
Best Overall Toner for Sensitive Skin

L'OCCITANE Immortelle Essential Water

Immortelle Essential Water
Credit: L'Occitane

Pros

  • Hydrates and soothes skin
  • Cooling and calming
  • Smells good

Cons

    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.

    2
    Best Value Toner for Sensitive Skin

    THAYERS Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula

    Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula

    Pros

    • Hydrating
    • Cleanses pores

    Cons

      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."

      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
      3
      Best Dermatologist-Recommended Toner for Sensitive Skin

      Bioderma Sensibio H2O

      Sensibio H2O
      Credit: Bioderma

      Pros

      • Non-stripping
      • Cleanses and refreshes skin

      Cons

        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.

        4
        Best Toner for Sensitive, Acne-Prone Skin

        COSRX AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild

        AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild
        Credit: COSRX

        Pros

        • Helps acne-prone skin
        • Gently exfoliates

        Cons

          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."

          Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
          5
          Best Toner for Sensitive, Oily Skin

          MARIO BADESCU Aloe Vera Toner

          Aloe Vera Toner

          Pros

          • Soothes and calms skin
          • Hydrates

          Cons

            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."

            6
            Best Toner for Sensitive, Damaged Skin

            First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

            Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
            Credit: First Aid Beauty

            Pros

            • Repairs and hydrates skin

            Cons

              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."

              Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
              7
              Best Hydrating Toner for Sensitive Skin

              Kiehl's Since 1851 Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner

              Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner
              Credit: Kiehl's

              Pros

              • Calming and moisturizing
              • Non-drying

              Cons

                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."

                8
                Best Korean Beauty Toner for Sensitive Skin

                LANEIGE Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

                Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer

                Pros

                • Deeply hydrating
                • Calms inflamed skin

                Cons

                  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."

                  Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
                  9
                  Best Calming Toner for Sensitive Skin

                  EltaMD Skin Recovery Toner

                  Skin Recovery Toner
                  Credit: EltaMD

                  Pros

                  • Moisturizes and calms irritated skin
                  • Helps repair damaged skin

                  Cons

                    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.

                    10
                    Best Toner for Sensitive, Eczema-Prone Skin

                    Paula's Choice SKIN RECOVERY Enriched Calming Toner

                    SKIN RECOVERY Enriched Calming Toner
                    Credit: Paula's Choice

                    Pros

                    • Hydrating and brightening
                    • Gentle enough for eczema

                    Cons

                      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.

                      Headshot of Katie Berohn
                      Katie Berohn
                      ELLE Beauty Editor

                      Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends. 

                      Watch Next 
                      toners for sensitive skin
                      Advertisement - Continue Reading Below