Sensitive skin requires gentle care and attention, especially when it comes to skincare products like face toners. Toners play a crucial role in balancing the skin’s pH levels, removing impurities, and prepping the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers. For those with sensitive skin, choosing the right toner is essential to avoid irritation and maintain a healthy complexion. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best face toners for sensitive skin.
We asked Rescue Spa Esthetician to select their top picks based on their experience in the following categories.
Esthetician’s Top Picks
BEST OVERALL:
Best Budget:
Environ Botanical Infused Moisturising Toner
BEST EXFOLIATING:
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W
BEST TONING LOTION:
Forlle’d Hyalogy Re-Dify Lotion
BEST MIST:
BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE L’EAUXYGENANTE
BEST REFRESHING:
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist
BEST SOOTHING:
MBR Medical Beauty Research ContinueLine Soft Tonic
BEST SCENT:
Best Overall:
Danucera D22 Tonic
The Clean Beauty Game Changer. D22’s potent formula contains natural acids, minerals, enzymes and vitamins. It’s a glow-inducing, must-have prep step that works on every skin type to gently exfoliate, tighten, and unclog pores. D22 Tonic leaves skin smoother, softer, more even and more luminous instantly.
What It Does:
- Exfoliates and brightens
- Unclogs pores and reduces blemishes
- Softens and smooths texture
- Reduces redness
- Reduces visibility of wrinkles, lines and pores
Key Ingredients:
Birch Water: brightens, prevents the breakdown of elastin, reduces inflammation, and soothes sensitive, irritated skin.
Birch Sap: the source of minerals, oligo-elements and sugars (glucose, fructose) beneficial to the skin. Helps with skin toning and moisturizing.
Lactic & Glycolic Acids: Smooths and brightens, exfoliates, hydrates, and firms.
Grape Flower Cell Extract: Soothes and heals, hydrates and strengthens.
Best BUDGET:
Botanical Infused MoisturiSing Toner
This toner is formulated with special ingredients that complement Environ products, synergistically moisturizing and hydrating the skin. The Moisturising Toner also aids in enhancing the appearance of uneven skin tone, thanks to its inclusion of plant extracts known for promoting healthy-looking skin.
What It Does:
- Healthy Glow: Provides the skin with a radiant and healthy appearance by effectively hydrating and moisturizing.
- Even Skin Tone: Helps improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, leaving the skin looking more even-toned and refreshed.
Key Ingredients:
Panthenol, sodium PCA, sodium lactate, honeybush leaf extract, niacinamide, Botanical Complex (sage, yarrow, mother of thyme, restharrow, coltsfoot, chamomile, balm mint, horsetail, rosemary and marshmallow)
Best Exfoliating:
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50W
This cult-favorite toner is available in a “W” version specifically formulated for sensitive skin. It helps exfoliate dead skin cells, regulate sebum production, and improve skin texture without irritating. Niacinamide provides anti-inflammatory benefits, making it suitable for sensitive and reactive skin types.
What It Does:
- Gently exfoliates the skin, while purifying, mattifying, and moisturizing the skin
- Helps maintain the pH of the epidermis.
Key Ingredients:
Exfoliating platform: Citric, lactic and malic acids (AHA), Salicylic acid (BHA), Gluconolactone (PHA), Cider Vinegar, Sulfur, Phytic acid
Purifying platform: Magnesium Chloride, Horseradish extract, Vitamin B3, Burdock extract, Capsicum extract, Soapbark extract,
Soothing platform: Arnica extract
Moisturizing Platform: Reconstituted Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF)
Best Toning Lotion
Forlled Hyalogy Re-Dify Lotion
A rich, intensive rejuvenating lotion with a strong moisturizing, detoxifying, and stimulating effect. It relieves irritation and soothes the skin. Hyalogy Re-Dify lotion prepares the skin for the application of all subsequent products and acts as a booster, intensifying the effects of creams, serums, and masks.
What It Does:
- Hydrates the skin
- Stimulates collagen production
- Stimulates hyaluronic acid production
- Provides soothing effect
- Helps relieve irritation
Key Ingredients:
Globularia Cordifolia Callus Culture Extract protects skin stem cells and has a rejuvenating effect on the skin by minimizing inflammation, detoxifying, supporting tissue regeneration and improving skin clarity and radiance. Saccharomyces Lysate Extract (probiotic), Oligopeptide-20 help support healthy cell functioning and collagen production. Peptide Complex helps restore the skin matrix and visibly protects against wrinkles. Niacinamide helps support microcirculation.Hyaluronic Acid Patented, low molecular weight HA is a deeply penetrating humectant that promotes long-lasting hydration and helps stimulate healthy cell functioning. Hydrolyzed Eggshell Membrane helps support skin immunity.
Best MIST:
L’Eauxygenante
L’Eauxygenante is a hydrating mist that stimulates the epidermis and envelops it in a protective veil. It contains high concentrations of Vitamins A and C extracted from Orange and Kiwi cells, as well as Edelweiss extract which has potent anti-free-radical properties, and the Specific Biologique Recherche Oxygenating Complex.
What It Does:
- Helps the skin adapt to different climates and environments
- Protects against external aggressors
- Gives a boost of radiance
- Restores the skin’s pH
- Hydrates and soothes
- Unifies the complexion and diminishes blemishes
- Sets makeup
Key Ingredients:
Softening Agent: Silk Extract
Energising Agents: Orange and Kiwi Extracts
Oxygenating Agent: Specific BR Oxygenating Complex
Antioxidant Agent: Edelweiss Extract
Best Refreshing:
SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist
This hydrating facial mist is clinically proven to strengthen the skin’s barrier and immediately reduce visible redness. A botanical blend of cucumber, thyme, olive leaf, and rosemary extracts soothes and calms the skin, while a 6.2% blend of hyaluronic acid and glycerin helps draw and retain water in the skin.
What It Does:
- Immediately Reduces Visible Redness by 31%
- delivers an all-day hydration
- soothes and hydrates sensitive skin
- Clinically proven to reduce visible redness post-laser
Key Ingredients:
Blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Phyto Botanical Blend: a botanical blend of cucumber, thyme, rosemary and olive leaf for skin soothing
Best Soothing
MBR Continueline Soft Tonic
A soothing and moisturizing tonic is an essential step in any skincare routine, as it helps to prepare the skin for the products that follow while providing hydration and calming benefits. This tonic is designed to be used after cleansing the skin, helping to remove any remaining impurities while also balancing the skin’s pH levels.
What It Does:
- Calms and Soothes the skin
- Restores natural balance
- Regulates and boosts moisture contents
- Maintains resiliency
- Smoothes and softens skin’s surface structure
Key Ingredients:
Valmont’s Vital Falls toner is designed to hydrate and refresh the skin while respecting its delicate balance. The lightweight formula helps soothe sensitivity and prepares the skin for subsequent skincare steps. It contains natural ingredients that promote hydration and comfort without harsh chemicals or fragrances.
Best Scent:
Valmont Vital Falls
A refreshing and revitalizing tonic that is specially formulated to provide a fresh and dewy-looking complexion. As a toner, it plays a crucial role in your skincare routine by effectively washing away any remaining residue left behind by previous products, such as cleansers or makeup removers. This ensures that your skin is thoroughly cleansed and prepped for the next steps in your skincare regimen.
What It Does:
- Perfects cleansing
- Neutralizes the effects of hard water
- Invigorates and softens the skin
Key Ingredients:
Calendula extract: Softens and soothes inflammation
Chamomile extract: Soothes and decongests
Witch Hazel: soothes and protects blood capillaries
When choosing a toner for sensitive skin, it’s crucial to look for alcohol-free formulas, soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile, and products specifically labeled for sensitive or reactive skin types. Additionally, performing a patch test before full application can help determine any potential sensitivity or allergic reactions.
