Breaking out? Read on to discover the best toners for acne.
BEST TONERS FOR ACNE
If you're breaking out you'll know how stressful it can be. The desire to get our skin back under control as soon as possible can have us reaching for every product in our bathroom cabinet hoping to find something that will help.
In addition to making sure you have a good double cleansing routine in place, another thing that can help is paying attention to your toners.
What Is the Perfect Toner for Acne?
Firstly, it's important to choose a toner that is right for your skin type. If you have dry skin but are experiencing breakouts, you are going to need a different approach to oily skin experiencing breakouts.
Secondly, it pays to pay attention to the ingredients in your toner as well.
We want to ensure your toner will tackle breakouts but is gentle enough on the skin. What we don't want is for your toner to dry out your skin or damage it's barrier.
It may be that you need two styles of toner in your weekly routine. The first one will containh more exfoliating ingredients. The second one will contain more hydrating ingredients. This will make sure you get the right mix. Korean skincare has several different styles of toningthat work differently for different skin issues.
Exfoliating Toners
Below are some of the best ingredients to look out for in your exfoliating toners when you’re on a mission to beat the breakouts!
1 Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid works to improve the skin’s overall texture and appearance, reduce blemishes, unclog the pores, and gently exfoliate dead skin cells. It also aids in reducing inflammation and blemishes.
2 Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
This beloved ingredient works to visibly reduce large pores, improve the skin’s texture and tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines, diminish dullness and improve the skins barrier.
3 Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA)
AHA’s work to unblock the pores, reduce the appearance of fine lines, improve the skins tone and texture, and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
If you want to learn more about AHAs, BHAs and PHAs jump on to this episode of the podcast:
Best Exfoliating Toners for Acne
Here are some of our favourite exfoliating toners to try for acne prone skin:
This 100% vegan formulation softly melts oil on the skin's surface, brightening the complexion and helping to fight acne. It is not only free from essential oils and alcohol but is also safe to use on fungal acne.
ISNtree's formula is gently balanced with a pH of 3.5 – 5 and gentle removes dead skin cells, impurities and blackheads.
Star ingredients include Centella Asiatica and Betaine Salicylate to help fight acne and Licorice Extract which helps to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
This cruelty-free acne fighting formula is perfect for everyday use both morning and night. It effectively works to eliminate dead skin and combats blackheads and whiteheads. This COSRX toner is also free of colorants or fragrances.
Star ingredients include White Willow Extract, which helps to gently exfoliate dead skin and Glycolic Acids which helps with skin turnover.
This is a great option for more sensitive and dry skin types. For dry skin types, we wouldn't recommend using this as your primary toner but rather alternating it with a hydrating style toner.
This TikTok viral K-beauty has sold by the million thanks to a formula that clears the skin of dirt and debris to help to reduce breakouts.
As the name suggests this toner is jam-packed with AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy Acids), BHA’s (Beta Hydroxy Acids), and PHAs (Poly Hydroxy Acids).
This toner suits very oily and acne prone skin types.
This toner is a god-send for acne-prone skin or those suffering from a current breakout.
It contains soothing Centella asiatica as well as Tea Tree Water, which works to reduce redness as well as soothe the skin.
It offers a gentle tone while reducing oil and sebum production on the skin.
This toner suits dry, sensitive and acne prone skin types.
This toner is formulated with 16 essential ingredients which leave your skin feeling softer, smoother, and perfectly prepped.
It can be used night and day and is packed with powerhouse ingredients which include AHA, BHA, Vitamin C and Niacinamide.
Not only does this toner improve the skin’s texture and refine dull skin, it is also perfect for combination skin types.
This all-in-one toner is perfect for the face and body, and helps to care for troubled or sensitive skin, including skin experiencing acne.
It can be applied anywhere that your skin is rough, bumpy, red or sensitized. APLB's calming toner will provide instant relief for the skin.
We recommend this for oily, combination and acne prone skin types.
This vegan formulated toner gently exfoliates the skin and removes dirt and impurities, in addition to promoting the appearance of brighter, healthy skin.
With a low pH formulation, this toner is perfect for relieving stressed or irritated skin. Furthermore, CICA Tea Tree AHA PHA Toner features Mary & May's soothing natural Gesolza blend of Pine, Wormwood and Yuja. This helps to nourish and relieve inflamed and acne-prone skin.
In addition to its low pH level, this toner is made for all skin types and is free from alcohol, artificial fragrances as well as esssential and mineral oils.
Best Hydrating Toners for Acne
Although it might not sound like the best idea, skin still requires adequate hydration when it is experiencing breakouts. Particularly if your skin tends towards the drier or more sensitive side, alternating your exfoliating toners with a hydrating option throughout the week can be the best way to ensure you don't over-exfoliate, damage your skin's barrier or dry your skin out.
In that case, we recommend Jelly Ko Dewy Glaze Toner. With a light jelly texture that melts when it comes into contact with the skin this is the perfect way to ensure your skin is still getting the nourishment and hydration it needs.
Made on a base of birch sap (instead of ordinary water) it also contains 3 types of hyaluronic acid, protecting Panthenol, adenosine and more.
Have Questions About the Best Toners for Acne?
As always if you have any questions about acne-prone skin, active breakouts, toners or skincare in general please reach out to a member of the STYLE STORY team.
We are always so happy to help.
STYLE STORY - Your Go-To For K-Beauty
