Learn what toner is, how to use toner, who needs it, and how to apply toner morning and night for hydrated, pH-balanced skin.
Raise your hand if you love toner! (me)
There are only a few essential steps to a basic skincare routine — cleansing, toning, serums, moisturizing, sunscreen — but one step that’s very often neglected or misunderstood is toner. People are afraid it will dry out their skin (thanks to toners of the 90s!) or that it’s superfluous. It’s actually my favorite step for dry skin! Proper application of toners can offer a ton of benefits for the skin, so I’m sharing a clear guide on how to use toner and how to get the most out of its benefits.
How to Use Toner
Before we deep-dive into the how, let’s talk about what a toner is and why appreciating its functions makes you more likely to use it properly. In this post, I’ll explain what a toner is, what it does, whether you need it in your routine, and the best ways to apply it morning and night so your skin stays hydrated, balanced, and radiant.
What Is A Toner?
A facial toner is a lightweight, typically water based skincare product used after washing your face and before applying serums and moisturizers. Classic toners used to be astringent and drying, but modern face toners come in many formula styles — from hydrating, glycerin- or hyaluronic-based mists to exfoliating toners with gentle acids — and are often designed to be pH balanced to support the skin’s natural barrier. In short: toner helps reset your skin, adds an extra layer of hydration, and primes skin for the rest of your routine.
What Does A Toner Do?
Restores skin’s pH balance
Many cleansers change your skin’s pH. A good toner helps restore a slightly acidic, pH balanced environment so your skin can better defend itself and feel less irritated.
Hydrates and refreshes
Hydrating toners add immediate moisture — especially helpful for dry skin — and often contain humectants that pull water into the skin. If your skin feels tight after cleansing, I describe it like a little drink of water for the face. It counters that tight feeling. Counter’s Hyaluronic Moisture Mist is a great example of one with ingredients that pull water into the skin.
Removes residual impurities
Even after cleansing a swipe with a toner on a cotton pad can remove leftover sunscreen, makeup, or cleanser residue. It’s the double-check that helps keep pores happier. If you’ve ever done this and noticed extra makeup tint, you’ll know why! I tend to apply my toner with my hands to keep it simple, but a cotton pad is OK, too!
Prepares skin for absorption
Toner preps your skin so serums and moisturizers penetrate better — boosting the overall benefits of using a toner in your regimen. Anything that helps my anti-aging serums work better is a win-win!
Do You Need Toner In Skincare Routine?
Technically, toner isn’t mandatory — but it’s very useful for most skin types. Here’s how it helps different people and why I often recommend adding one.
Benefit: Extra hydration
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, a hydrating toner is extremely beneficial. It leaves your skin feeling more supple and supports the rest of your products.
Benefit: Gentle exfoliation
For oily or acne-prone skin, toners with mild acids (like BHA or AHA) can support clearer pores and smoother texture without stripping the skin.
Benefit: Soothes and calms
Toners with botanical extracts and soothing ingredients help reduce redness and refresh stressed or sensitive skin.
Benefit: Better layering
Toner allows the rest of your skincare product lineup to perform optimally. If you’re curious about the right order, check my post on the order to use skin care products.
How To Apply Toner
Okay — this is the part that actually makes the difference. Here are some tips for applying toner effectively.
Apply right after washing your face
Toner should go on immediately after cleansing while your face is still slightly damp. That helps it absorb and lock in moisture. Try not to get distracted by your phone or get dressed first.
Use a cotton pad or your hands
You can pour toner onto a cotton pad (reusables count!) and sweep it across the face for extra cleansing effect, or spray a few drops into your palms and press it into skin. I find the spray-in-palm method the quickest and least likely to spray me in the eyes.
Use morning and night
Apply your toner both morning and night as part of your regular routine. In the morning it wakes your skin up; at night it preps your skin for deeper treatments. If you don’t always wash your face at night, a few spritzes of toner can still be better than nothing!
Layer or mist for thirsty skin
If your skin is extra dry, try layering a light toner twice or use a hydrating mist through the day. Mists are great for a midday refresh without disturbing makeup. Both Counter’s Hyaluronic Mist and the Crunchi mist are great for mid-day hydration boosts.
Match the toner to your skin type
If you’ve ever not loved your toner, it was probably because it was wrong for your skin type. Choose a gentle hydrating toner for dry skin, a calming formula for sensitive skin, and a clarifying, low-concentration acid toner for oily or acne-prone skin.
My Favorite Toners
Toner is my favorite step in my skincare routine because I have dry skin and it truly feels like a drink of water for the face after cleansing.
F11 Activating Facial Toner
This toner refreshes skin post-cleansing and restores the skin’s natural balance. Oliveda’s products are waterless, so this one is a great bang for your buck. Use this if you have an oilier skin type.
- Key Benefit: Chamomile extract that soothes the skin.
- Key Ingredient: Olive-based polyphenols and hydroxytyrosol oleuropein provide antibacterial properties.
- Overall: Refines pores and enhances skin radiance.
F67 Corrective Facial Tonic
This toner focuses on soothing the skin while providing antioxidant protection. This one is also waterless and designed for anti-aging and dry skin.
- Key Benefit: Hydroxytyrosol and camu camu provide antioxidant protection.
- Key Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid for hydration and a youthful glow.
- Overall: Suitable for use after shaving and for refining skin appearance.
Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence
This luxurious essence acts like a toner and serum in one, helping to visibly plump and revitalize dry, tired skin. It preps your face beautifully for serums and moisturizer.
- Key Benefit: Rehydrates and supports the skin’s natural moisture barrier for a smoother, more youthful appearance.
- Key Ingredient: Retinatural Complex (a plant-based alternative to retinol) plus mineral-rich sea water to boost elasticity and firmness.
- Overall: Promotes radiant, supple skin and helps restore the skin’s natural balance — a must-have step for dry or mature skin types.
Counterglow Hyaluronic Moisture Mist
A refreshing facial mist that delivers an instant surge of hydration throughout the day or as a toner step after cleansing.
- Key Benefit: Provides weightless, lasting hydration for soft, plump, and glowing skin.
- Key Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture, combined with antioxidant-rich lotus extract to soothe and protect.
- Overall: Perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up or post-cleansing boost — keeps skin looking dewy and refreshed morning and night.
A multitasking mist that works beautifully in your skincare routine as a hydrating toner-like step, a makeup setter, and a mid-day refresh.
- Key Benefit: Instantly revitalizes skin, giving you that “drink of water for the face” feeling — especially perfect for dry or thirsty skin.
- Key Ingredients: Marine ferment extract and sea minerals support the skin barrier and help protect against daily environmental stressors; niacinamide helps minimize the look of pores and even skin tone.
- Overall: Lightweight and clean (EWG Verified, vegan, silicone-free), this mist is a perfect boost either right after cleansing or anytime through the day when your skin needs a little lift.
Quick FAQs
Do I need a cotton pad? Not always — palms work great. Use a cotton pad if you want a gentle wipe action after cleansing.
Is toner only for oily skin? No — modern toners are formulated for all skin types and many are made to hydrate rather than strip.
Can I skip toner? Sure, but you may miss out on hydration, pH support, and better absorption of the rest of your routine.
So that’s it — a complete, easy-to-follow guide on how to use toner. If you try adding one in, let me know how your skin likes it — I’m a big fan of the hydrating step myself. And if you want a step-by-step on the rest of your products, don’t forget to read the guide on the order to use skin care products.
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