Suffering from blemish-prone skin? In need of a major skin overhaul? Totally understandable, most of us suffer from an adult acne breakout here or there. But it doesn’t need to be the end of the world when you have this helpful product up your sleeve (or in your cabinet as the case may be). But what could this magical product be? A mask? A balm? A seriously thorough cleanser? Nope, a toner. Now we know that toners have a lot of hearsay surrounding them, but for the sake of bump-prone skin, toners can prove quite helpful. They even help to work away visible scarring long after the blemishes are gone!
So, let’s give our faces their best chance at staying calm with the help of these balancing toners…
2024’s Top 3 Toners For Blemish-Prone Skin
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, $20.50, Myer
- Skinstitut EXPERT Refine AHA Glycolic Toner, $47.20, Adore Beauty
- Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner, $42, Sephora
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
From $20.50 from Myer
Is there a more soothing thought out there than knowing that The Ordinary has top notch active ingredient products at a budget price -point? We can certainly rest easy knowing that we don’t have to break up with our potent ingredients. So, if you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of blemish busting, then this is the (reasonably priced) opp for you. Not only does this toner work to support your acne-prone skin into order with the inclusion of hard-working AHA, glycolic acid, but it’s also formulated with skin-soothing ingredients such as Tasmanian pepperberry and ginseng.
Key features:
- pH balanced
- Budget-priced active ingredients
- Includes Tasmanian pepperberry to reduce irritation
Available at:
- $20.50 from Myer
- $20.50 from The Ordinary
- $20.50 from Adore Beauty
Skinstitut EXPERT Refine AHA Glycolic Toner
From $47.20 at Adore Beauty
Are you ready to meet the expert mastermind behind the blemish-targeting toner? Well by now you’re undoubtedly already close pals with them. Meet; glycolic acid. This chemical exfoliant has changed the exfoliating game; no more are we harshly scrubbing at our skin. Instead a simple swipe can do, working to clear out congestion, scrub (gently) away dead skin and work away excess sebum. But even glycolic acid needs a few friends: green tea acts as an antioxidant, while aloe vera soothes away irritation. And there we have it, or skin-revolutionising trio of skin care besties.
Want to read more? Read Skinstitut EXPERT Refine AHA Glycolic Toner Reviews here…
Key features:
- Inclusion of anti-oxidising green tea
- Cosmeceutical ingredients
- Sensitive-skin friendly
Available at:
- $47.20 (usually $59) from Adore Beauty
- $59 from The Iconic
- $59 from Oz Hair and Beauty
Caudalie Vinopure Clear Skin Purifying Toner
From $42 at Sephora
Wanting to target crater-sized pores? With this dead-skin-sloughing toner, you can get to work on that very task. With natural salicylic acid, this toner targets stubborn, deep skin concerns. But as if that wasn’t enough, the inclusions of grape water and seed along with rosewater help to leave your skin glowing and soothed. We’re inviting clarifying, calming thoughts to go with this skin-purifying toner.
Key features:
- Gained Sephora’s green (clean) tick of approval
- Contains natural salicylic acid
- Scented with skin-loving essential oils
Available at:
- $42 from Sephora
- $50.14 from Revolve Clothing
Bioderma Sébium Smoothing and Rebalancing Lotion
From $27.19 at Priceline
Don’t let the lack of ‘toner’ in the name put you off this recommendation. This ‘lotion’ is out here working hard to overhaul your skin. And we’ll be giving it an A+, especially for the overtime it puts in. With a triple-action formula, this rebalancing formula works to hydrate your skin for up to eight hours (win), restore your skin pH levels within the hour (win, win) and even works to regulate and reduce sebum section (trifecta of wins!).
Want to read more? Read Bioderma Sébium Smoothing and Rebalancing Lotion Reviews here…
Key features:
- Works to regulate sebum production
- Soap-free and hypoallergenic
- Triple-action functions
Available at:
Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Toner & Moisturiser
From $55 at Adore Beauty
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Laneige’s Cream Skin Cerapeptide™ Toner & Moisturiser. This multifunctional badass could go up against a heavy hitting superhero and win (in our eyes at least). Because there’s nothing that we love more than a time-saving product. This creamy toner is infused with moisturising properties, so not only are you getting anti-inflammatory properties, you’re also getting an instant hit of hydration, which contrary to popular belief is still super important for acne-prone skin.
Key features:
- Two-in-one skin care simplifier
- Gentle formula
- Refillable bottle
Available at:
- $55 from Adore Beauty
- $50 from Sephora
The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner
From $19 at The Body Shop
So you’ve got blemish-prone skin. It’s a real big dampener on your bright shining day. But don’t worry, because the ever-natural (it’s vegan certified now) The Body Shop has found a way to work in skin-saving antibacterial tea tree with a mix of hard-working salicylic acid. Working to purify your skin, this ultra-fresh toner will leave you looking forward to your next swipe.
Key features:
- Antibacterial tea tree
- Vegan formulation
- Recyclable packing
Available at:
- $19 from The Body Shop
Dr Naomi Skin Pore Relation
From $99 at Dr Naomi
With a skin-saving mix of AHAs and BHAs, this toner is going to shake up your skin care game. Not to mention it’s also got a second job working as an exfoliant (we love a two-fer). Made in Australia, you can just tell this toner is going to do great things to your skin. The alcohol-free formula not only contains skin resurfacing ingredients, but also works in a mix of skin-comforting ingredients too. Not to mention the inclusion of probiotics which help to fortify your skin, even aiming to help rewind the clock a few years. Win!
Key features:
- Mix of AHAs and BHAs
- Australian made
- Formulated with regenerative probiotics
Available at:
What does a toner do?
Okay, we’ll be real with you guys. It’s still up for debate if toner is a 100 per cent necessary component of our skin care routines. But we also say better an ‘oops’ than a ‘what if’. So we’re on ‘team toner’. But what does this step do for our skin? Well it’s incorporated into part of our cleansing routine to be an extra set of (metaphorical) eyes searching to remove dirt, oil and makeup left behind. Not only that but it works to balance your skin’s pH levels, which is a handy way to control oil for those of us that suffer from acne.
Is it good to use a toner for acne?
Short answer: yes. Toners that aren’t basically vodka in a smaller bottle (i.e concentrated alcohol) are useful for helping to address blemish-prone skin. Because many toners work to balance skin’s pH levels, it means the excess oil production (also known as sebum) can be slowed, resulting in fewer breakouts.
Related articles:
- Still figuring out if you need to use a toner? Here’s some handy steps to figure it out…
- Want to hear something crazy? There’s someone out there who layers *seven* toners…
Main Image Credit: @gwynethpaltrow
Do you use a toner? Would you incorporate one into your beauty routine?
