9 Best Toners for Dry Skin

21 Oct 2020

I started at Adore Beauty in the warehouse over 2 years ago and am now part of the marketing team here at Adore HQ. My holy grail skincare product is knowledge - sounds cheesy but honestly, the better you know your skin type, concerns, and what ingredients work for you, the better the results you’ll see. Skincare is a journey, babes. It’s all about finding what works for you. That and SPF. Seriously, slap that stuff on every day.

We get it: adding an extra step to your skincare routine can feel excessive, especially when your bed is calling.

The thing is, a good toner for dry skin can do more than just wipe away stubborn makeup.

Working to soothe redness, itchy patches, and dull skin in general, a moisturising toner for dry skin could actually help prevent your tender skin from becoming overly sensitive.

Designed to give dry skin a boost of moisture, a hydrating toner for dry skin will also help remove any cleanser residue.

Toner also gets your skin ready for nourishing serums and lotions. Far from unnecessary, right? Free from alcohol and other astringent ingredients, a toner that won’t dry out skin is usually made with a slew of gentle moisturising agents.

So what exactly are the benefits of toner for dry skin?

There are many benefits of toner for dry skin. Often made with nourishing ingredients such as Vitamin E, Green Tea, and Witch Hazel, such a toner will help clarify skin that’s looking less than its best. Often made with antioxidants that help reduce the look of red patches, the best toner for dry and sensitive skin will also address acne and other skin complaints.

If you’re looking to maintain a healthy pH balance, avoid toners with artificial fragrances. A sulphate free, paraben free toner for dry skin won’t aggravate existing complexion issues. Instead, it’ll help raise your skin’s moisture levels.

Does toner dry out skin? Only if you’re using one not suited to your skin type! Pick up a toner made with humectant ingredients (the ones that help you retain moisture), and it’ll actually leave your rough skin looking and feeling a bit softer and smoother.

Do you need a toner for dry skin? Well, if you’ve tried an abundance of moisturisers and no serum is solving your skin woes, yep, it could be time to crack out the toner.

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Press the reset button on your dry skin with one of these refreshing, hydrating formulas...

Give dry skin a fresh feel with this nourishing daily toner.

innisfree Green Tea Seed Skin 200ml

$30.00

4.7 of 45 reviews

Good not just for your mid-afternoon slump, Green Tea can perk up the look of dry skin too. One of the best Korean toner for dry skin, innisfree Green Tea Seed Skin Toner is an antioxidant-rich formula that helps your skin look and feel healthier. Perfect for a complexion that’s prone to dryness and dehydration, this advanced toner contains rich compounds that nourish the skin. It also protects skin from environmental aggressors with antioxidants. Made with Green Tea from the pesticide-free island of Jeju, this toner makes a noticeable difference with consistent daily use. The formula also helps improve your skin’s tender barrier and prevent the more frustrating signs of ageing.

A good option for all skin types (but especially dry skin, innisfree Green Tea Seed Skin Toner is designed to help ward off the negative effects of daily pollutants. This gentle but effective formula leaves dehydrated skin looking a bit healthier. Used as part of a considered skincare routine, this hydrating alcohol free toner won’t dry your skin out. The Green Tea Extracts are full of Vitamin C, Amino Acids, and Catechin Compounds, so your complexion looks brighter and healthier. Dual Moisture-Rising Technology helps prevent further moisture loss from occurring. Use this Green Tea toner for dry skin daily to help flip your dehydrated patches right around.

More than just a pretty pink bottle, this toner comforts tender skin.

Lancôme Tonique Confort 200ml

$65.00

4.3 of 5 reviews

Perfect for dull skin that’s lost its glow, Lancôme Tonique Confort works to soften a challenging complexion. Designed to help sensitive skin feel smoother, this hydrating toner leaves skin feeling fresher and cleaner after every application. Best used between cleanser and moisturiser, this unique formula is perfect for anyone looking for a hit of hydration. The silky texture sweeps over skin easily and doesn’t feel sticky. Apply to your skin with a (reusable?) cotton pad. Or simply press the lotion onto your skin with your palms. Let the toner dry before you follow up with serum or a moisturiser.

If your makeup clings to dry patches and your skin is flaky at the end of your day, you could invest in a super-comforting toner to help. One of the best toners for sensitive skin, this gentle blend from Lancôme won’t dry your skin out or leave you feeling tight and uncomfortable. Softening skin that’s becoming tricky to manage, this sumptuous toner does more than just sweep excess makeup away. A gentle but effective formula that moisturises and nourishes dehydrated skin, Lancôme Tonique Confort can be used along with your everyday favourites to keep your skin looking its best. If you can’t choose between toner vs serum, this silky, serum-like texture gives you the best of both.

Want to condition your skin? This toner will help.

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 160ml

$105.00

4.6 of 57 reviews

Made with an abundance of hydrating and nourishing ingredients, SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion is one of the best Japanese toner for dry skin. Made with AHAs, this wipe-on clarifying lotion removes the impurities your face picks up daily. Skin is left clean and happy as dead skin cells are gently swept away. With regular use, you’ll experience brighter, healthier-looking skin. This unique alcohol-free toner hydrates and softens all skin types. The watery texture absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky.

SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 160ml is made with Pitera, which contains components similar to the natural moisturising factors found in healthy skin. The Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) work to purify and minimise the look of large pores; smooth and clarify the skin; and help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Of course, a toner alone isn’t going to completely change your skin, but a good one will definitely help. This SK-II toner has hydrating properties that help improve signs of sun damage, fatigue, and dryness. Use in the morning and night before you apply a moisturiser to achieve a healthier, more vibrant complexion.

Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Toner 180ml

If you have dry skin and blackheads, this toner can help with both.

Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Toner 180ml

$38.00

4 of 15 reviews

Though mainly intended for oily skin that’s prone to a good ol’ blemish or two, Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Toner also helps nourish and protect dry skin. A great toner for dry acne prone skin, this formula helps rid you of any excess oil, so your skin looks and feels softer and smoother. Just because you have dry skin doesn't mean you won’t suffer from blemishes, blackheads, and breakouts. Made with Grape Seed Extract and Vitamin E, this unique blend protects you from environmental aggressors and free radicals that might stress out your skin. Designed to cool and refresh sensitive skin, this toner also helps reduce any shiny patches you may be sporting.

A great Witch Hazel toner for dry skin, Murad Blemish Control Clarifying Toner helps reduce the appearance of your pores. This formula also helps eliminate unwanted bacteria that might be living on your skin, so your face looks clearer and healthier. If you have dry skin, you might want to keep this toner in your bathroom cabinet and use it when you experience a sudden breakout. In fact, use this toner anytime you need to restore a healthy look to your complexion. Surprisingly nourishing, this blend feels fresh on skin that’s tender and struggling.

Refreshing, hydrating, and pretty in pink, this hydrating mist is easy to love.

Ella Baché Rose Hydration Mist 100ml

$39.00

4.8 of 4 reviews

A perfect solution for your hand luggage, Ella Baché Rose Hydration Mist helps revive skin that’s looking tired after travelling. This mist hydrates and comforts to help improve your complexion’s condition over time. Rose Hydrosol works to tone, brighten, and uplift the look of dull skin. Marine Botanical Extracts help energise the skin and strengthen its barrier to minimise moisture loss. Hyaluronic Acid holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, effectively drenching your skin. Your complexion will look plumper and fresher every time you use this ultimate hydrator (that the skincare world can’t get enough of). Spray under or over your makeup to reset your skin; it’ll leave you feeling and looking moisturised.

Ella Baché Rose Hydration Mist refreshes and helps protect your skin as it prevents dehydration and lifts your mood with its gentle scent. Wait, ‘hydration mist’? Is that the same thing as a toner for dry skin? Well, not exactly; here’s a guide that explains the difference between a mist and a toner. You’ll love how soft your skin looks and feels when you add this Ella Baché blend into your skincare regime. Not only for use in the morning and at night, a hydrating mist can be sprayed on your skin as your day wears on. Instantly refreshing and designed especially for dehydrated skin, this formula helps balance your complexion’s pH.

Keep it natural with this certified organic fruit toner.

Eco Tan Super Fruit Toner 150ml

$29.95

4.6 of 21 reviews

Rather than rely on clever chemicals to improve the condition of your skin, you could try something a little bit different. Eco Tan Super Fruit Toner is an organic toner for dry skin that contains healthy botanicals. This gentle but effective vegan toner is made in Australia and good for all skin types—especially those showing signs of premature ageing. Hydrating and toning the skin, this balancing spritz also helps prevent pigmentation.

If you’re craving silky-soft skin but struggle with flaky dry patches, Eco Tan Super Fruit Toner 150ml can help. A cruelty free toner for dry skin with plenty of anti-ageing properties, the formula is also good for managing acne. Aloe Vera Juice calms and hydrates skin. Organic Pineapple Extract is rich in AHAs to help smooth the skin’s surface. Pineapple also helps brighten the look of dull skin. Hyaluronic Acid attracts and retains moisture. The Kakadu Plum in the mix contains Vitamin C to help keep dark spots away. Made without parabens or synthetic ingredients, this handy toner keeps your skin healthy and happy-looking.

This treatment mist helps protect dry skin from aggravating pollutants.

NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (SDSM2)

$75.00

4.3 of 22 reviews

Day to day, your dry skin goes through a lot. Whether you're constantly exposing it to extreme weather conditions or polluted areas, NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (SDSM2) can help. A vegan, cruelty-free, and artificial fragrance-free formula, this protective moisture spray combats oxidative stress and water loss. Working instantly to soften the look of dry, dull skin, the spray also can improve your complexion’s overall condition over time.

Perfect for daily use (and a great lunchtime pick-me-up), NIOD’s treatment mist works to reduce skin inflammation without nasty ingredients. Yeast-Derived Superoxide Dismutase is arguably one of the most important elements in fighting the body’s oxidation processes. Purified North American Four O’Clock Flower and Marine Exopolysaccharides helps the skin retain moisture for longer. In short, NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (SDSM2) leaves skin of all ages looking plumper and more vibrant.

Never tried this cult classic? Now’s your time.

Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml

$46.00

4.6 of 255 reviews

One of the most popular and highly recommended toners, Pixi Glow Tonic is a cruelty-free, sulphate-free formula that gives dry skin of any age a renewed glow. Designed to uplift lacklustre skin, this brightening toner lifts dead skin cells away for a softer and smoother look and feel. Glow Tonic also hydrates dry skin and calms sensitive patches. And if you struggle with hyperpigmentation, this skincare favourite will help fade your trouble areas. Finally, this cult classic toner minimises the look of large pores. The good stuff almost never ends!

Love the look of firm, healthy skin (who doesn’t?!)? Get your hands on Pixi Glow Tonic 250ml and watch your transformation. The Ginseng in the formula boosts circulation and contains Phytonutrients, which help tone and clarify the skin. The 5% concentration of Glycolic Acid helps firm and tighten the skin, helping restore a youthful look—even when you’re wiped out! Glycolic Acid also helps reveal a glowing complexion. Horse Chestnut Seed Extract is a powerful antioxidant that helps keep the skin safe from environmental contaminants. This extract also has anti-ageing properties, which leave your skin looking supple and soft. Use Glow Tonic morning and night. Follow up with your regular skincare must-haves. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

Fancy something a bit bougie? This skin supplement could be just the thing.

Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement

$104.00

4.5 of 23 reviews

Dry, mature skin deserves all the love! Sure, a hydrating cleansing routine will gently remove debris. And a rich moisturiser will leave your skin smooth. But add Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement into your routine and you could see a big difference. The calming, hydrating formula is especially comforting to very dry and mature skin, and offers intense protection. This restorative toner complements a well-thought out routine perfectly.

Erno Laszlo Hydraphel Skin Supplement is also a good option for anyone struggling with sensitive skin. If you’re looking for a skincare product that’ll help strengthen your skin’s natural barrier, this toner can do it with minimal effort—and without parabens or mineral oil. The Panthenol, or Provitamin B5, in this formula offers antioxidant support, so your skin feels quenched and supple. Allantoin gently hydrates the skin and provides a buffer to help keep daily pollutants away. And Comfrey Root has been used for centuries for its healing and soothing properties. If you’ve been using a lot of ingredients on your dry skin, this calming and comforting formula will help balance things back out.

shop all skincare for dry skin

Find more of the best skincare for dry skin in these helpful guides...

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