There’s a huge misconception about toners, especially on mature or ageing skin. Traditionally, toners are targeted at teenage troubled-skin as it helps to remove any remaining oil, dirt, and impurities after cleansing.
The primary ingredient in old-school facial toners is alcohol but thankfully, this is no longer the case as alcohol tends to dry out the skin. Today, there are tons of variations for facial toners to suit different skin needs but more importantly, its rare that companies still incorporate alcohol into their toners.
While anti-ageing serums and creams usually get most of the attention, a well-formulated toner is also crucial as a solid groundwork for a more youthful and radiant appearance. In the following is a list of 9 best toners specifically for ageing skin:
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner is a gentle alcohol-free and pH-balanced facial toner that refines, soothes, and hydrates even the most sensitive skin types. It’s formulated with effective emollients namely Squalene (a highly-refined botanical lipid derived from Olives), Apricot Kernel Oil, Avocado Oil, and Vitamin E which helps to keep your skin nourished, moisturised and soft. Apply this after cleansing to gently remove surface debris and remaining residue, then follow up with their Ultra Facial Moisturiser to finish off this simple yet effective skincare regimen.
With a myriad of plant extracts and soothing ingredients blended together, Klairs’ Supple Preparation Toner quickly absorbs into the skin and provides full moisture. This calming, non-irritating, and hydrating toner also helps to enhance the effectiveness of serums and creams you layer on top. Additionally, it features Phyto-Oligo and wheat amino acids that’ll resolve any skin dryness and reduce inflammation on the skin respectively. This moisturising toner also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Beta-Glucan for prolonged hydration by more than 20% in comparison to conventional facial toners.
Fresh’s Umbrian Clay Toner is a purifying toner that absorbs excess oil on the skin’s surface without stripping away its essential moisture to keep your skin matte and soft all day. Needless to say, the key ingredient in this toner is the company’s proprietary ingredient, Umbrian Clay, which has an incredible mineral content to purify and clarify your skin complexion while minimising the appearance of large pores. It also contains Lavender floral water to tone and balance your skin.
If you’re on the lookout for an all-natural, 100% organic facial toner, try Sukin’s Hydrating Mist Toner. It’s one of the brand’s best-sellers and it has been said that 1 Hydrating Mist Toner is sold every 40 seconds.
The 2 key ingredients in this toner are Chamomile extracts and Rosewater which help to purify, soothe, and cool down your skin. Whenever you’re feeling tired or overstressed, spritz some of this on for a refreshed skin. Not to mention, the scent of this toner is pretty calming too.
Sunday Riley’s Martian Mattifying Gel Toner is a lightweight gel-lotion that transforms into a water toner as you massage it into the skin. The star ingredient here is Bentonite Clay which helps control excess oil while visibly minimise the appearance of enlarged pores. Furthermore, it also has Marshmallow and Green Tea Extracts to soothe irritation and calm any redness on the skin. On top of that, this toner is enriched with Black Cumin and Magnolia Bark Extracts, both are packed with purifying properties, to balance oily and troubled-skin while promoting a clearer and smoother shine-free complexion. You can even double it up as a primer for your makeup!
Caudalie is well known for their signature organic grape water-infused line of skincare products which is kind and calming to the skin. Besides grape water, the Vinopure Purifying Toner also contains grape seed polyphenols to prevent blackheads. It fundamentally targets combination and blemish-prone skin to aid in improving skin clarity, unclogging and tightening pores and lastly, clearing any imperfections. Also, this toner is formulated with 100% natural plant-derived ingredients and it’s free from synthetic fragrances, parabens and any harsh chemicals that are commonly found in facial products.
Retinol is normally found in anti-aging creams or serums but seldom in toners as it can be slightly over drying. However, Pixi’s Retinol Tonic is not only perfect for Retinol first-timers but it’s also suitable for sensitive skin. The toner’s formulation uses botanicals such as Rosemary and Jasmine flowers to soothe, plump, prevent skin dehydration and balance the secretion of sebum. Retinol helps to renew and regenerate your skin while the peptides in this toner helps to firm up your skin for a more youthful appearance.
3CE’s White Milquidro Mild Toner is a milk protein-based toner and the packaging alone says it all. This toner helps to create a healthy base for the rest of your skincare products to layer on. Thanks to its 50% milk protein extract, it is great at refining skin texture, brightening, softening and removing any last streaks of makeup and impurities that are left on the skin. In addition, this mild peeling toner also contains Niacinamide to encourage skin cell turnover for brighter and clearer skin.
More: 8 Best Organic Toners to Treat All Types of Skin
Clinelle’s Whitenup Toner is powered by a breakthrough formulation with Japanese Purple Rice Extract, Vitamin C, and Daisy Flower Extract as its core ingredients. Besides repairing the skin, Japanese Purple Rice Extract supports Vitamin C to promote fairer, firmer and moisturised skin. On another hand, Daisy Flower Extract helps to reduce pigmentation, skin darkening and is effective to even out your skin tone. Last but not least, this toner is also infused with Advanced Anti-Photoaging Technology to protect your skin from repeated exposure to UV radiation - a factor that hastens the ageing process.
More: 8 Best Glycolic Acid Toners To Exfoliate and Restore Glow To Your Skin