Beautyfolk

15 Best Toners for Acne-Prone Skin: A Definitive Guide and How to Use Them
Listen up, peeps, the drying, irritating, alcohol-based toners of yesteryear that got a bad rep are GONE. Today's pH-balanced face toners are expertly crafted to reduce redness, smooth texture, gently exfoliate, clear acne-prone skin, and even give you a lil' glow, making them the ultimate product for pimple-free skin.

But don't fear that these modern toners for acne will leave your skin feeling stripped. In fact, most formulas contain hydrating and calming ingredients in addition to chemical exfoliants, which means that they'll kick acne's ass and leave skin hydrated AF. So in honor of the new and improved facial toners of today, I bring you the 15 best toners for acne-prone skin and everything you should know about them, courtesy of the derms.

Meet the experts:
Rachel Maiman: Maiman is a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. In addition to general dermatology, she is an expert in fillers, laser surgery, microneedling, and other cosmetic procedures.
Annie Chiu: Chiu is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Derm Institute in Manhattan Beach. She specializes in non-invasive cosmetic dermatology and aesthetics.
Are toners good for acne?
First off, let's clarify what a toner is to help make sense of why and how it can be helpful for acne. Chiu explains that a toner is a liquid that penetrates the skin quickly and hydrates and removes dead skin cells. "Toner formulations nowadays have been improved to target an array of skin concerns, such as skin inelasticity and excess oil that can lead to breakouts, depending on their ingredient profile," adds Maiman.

More specifically, "toners are a great way to clean acne-prone skin of any lingering residue after cleansing, and prior to carrying forth with one's skincare routine," says Maiman. They can reduce pore-clogging dirt, debris, and makeup that a typical cleanser often leaves behind. Not only that, toners balance the skin's pH level and help absorb the following products in one's skincare routine more effectively, explains Chiu. That said, know that toners are a totally optional step in your skincare routine but are great in addressing and targeting many skincare concerns.

Which toner is best for acne?
The key to finding the best toner for acne is picking a formulation that contains AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid), BHAs (beta hydroxy acid), or the latest, most gentle addition to the bunch, PHAs (polyhydroxy acids). These are key ingredients in unclogging pores, clearing breakouts, and reducing blackheads.

Typically, AHAs work best for those with dry skin, BHAs should be used for those with oily skin, and people with super sensitive skin should stick to PHAs. To avoid dryness or irritation, an added humectant—a substance that attracts water like a magnet to the skin to promote hydration—paired with a chemical exfoliant is the perfect combo.