The best toners, according to the gurus
Toners are the step the gurus argue about most, because what a toner is even for has changed completely.
Modern toners are not the stripping, alcohol-heavy astringents of the past. The experts now treat the category as a wide one: hydrating, essence-style toners that prep the skin, and exfoliating toners that use acids to smooth texture and clear pores. They judge both on whether the formula earns its place in a routine without irritating the skin.
The genuine split is hydrate versus exfoliate, and the gurus are clear the two are not interchangeable. A daily hydrating toner is a comfort step almost anyone can use, while an acid toner is a treatment that needs care around frequency and sun exposure. The ranking below favours the toners the experts say do their specific job well.
The gurus behind this ranking
Ranked from the public takes of 36 gurus, including 10 dermatologists, 5 makeup artists and 2 cosmetic chemists.
These are independent experts we follow, not an in-house panel. We collect opinions they have already shared publicly on YouTube; they are not connected to The Guru Index and have not endorsed this ranking. "Guru" is our own editorial title for the voices we trust.
- 1I'm FromRice TonerGuru CertifiedTop Pick95% · 11 gurus
- 2AnuaHeartleaf 77% Soothing TonerTop Pick87% · 15 gurus
- 3COSRXFull Fit Propolis TonerGuru CertifiedTop Pick87% · 6 gurus
- 4CeraVeHydrating TonerGuru CertifiedTop Pick85% · 6 gurus
- 5IsntreeUltra Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Toner84% · 8 gurus
- 6EqualberrySwimming Pool Daily Facial Toner84% · 6 gurus
- 7Peach SlicesAcne Exfoliating Toner with Salicylic Acid Acne TreatmentTop Pick84% · 6 gurus
- 8Peach SlicesSnail Rescue Blemish Busting Toner83% · 5 gurus
- 9Haruharu WonderBlack Rice Hyaluronic Toner82% · 10 gurus
- 10KlairsSupple Preparation Unscented Toner82% · 5 gurus
- 11The INKEY ListPolyhydroxy Acid TonerTop Pick81% · 7 gurus
- 12Round Lab1025 Dokdo Toner79% · 8 gurus
- 13COSRXAHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner79% · 6 gurus
- 14The INKEY ListGlycolic Acid Toning Solution78% · 6 gurus
- 15Some By MiAHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner78% · 5 gurus
- 16COSRXHydrium Watery Toner77% · 11 gurus
- 17Glow RecipeCloudberry Bright Essence TonerTop Pick77% · 5 gurus
- 18Beekman 1802Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane Facial Toner Mist77% · 5 gurus
- 19The OrdinaryGlycolic Acid 7% Toning SolutionTop Pick76% · 28 gurus
- 20BYOMAMilky TonerTop Pick76% · 7 gurus
- 21The OrdinarySaccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky TonerTop Pick75% · 13 gurus
- 22AnuaRice 70% Glow Milky Toner75% · 7 gurus
- 23Geek & GorgeousLiquid Hydration 5% Panthenol and Natural Moisturizing Factors Toner75% · 6 gurus
- 24NumbuzinNo.1 Pure-full Herb Calming Toner74% · 6 gurus
- 25TirtirMilk Skin TonerTop Pick73% · 12 gurus
Are hydrating and exfoliating toners ranked together?
Yes. The list ranks all toners by guru consensus. Because a hydrating toner and an acid toner do very different jobs, the takes on each product page are worth reading before buying.
Is a toner still necessary?
The experts are genuinely split on this. Many treat a hydrating toner as optional and an acid toner as a useful treatment step. The ranking reflects which toners the experts rate, not whether the step is essential.
How is this ranking decided?
We rank by the Guru Index consensus score: the warmth of every independent expert take we have logged for each product, with a minimum number of reviewers required so a single enthusiastic review can't top the list. Nothing here is paid placement.
What does Guru Certified mean?
Guru Certified marks a product that a broad group of experts agree on, not just one fan. It is our breadth stamp, distinct from a Top Pick, which is a single guru crowning a product best in its category.
How often does the list update?
The results refresh every day from the latest expert reviews, so the ranking reflects what the gurus are saying now, not a frozen editor's pick.