Product Types

Toner

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Toner — a water-based liquid applied after cleansing to prepare, hydrate, or treat the skin depending on its formulation. Modern toners have moved beyond the astringent, alcohol-heavy versions of the past and now range from hydrating and soothing to gently exfoliating.

Key points

  • Toners are applied after cleansing and before serums or moisturizers.
  • They can be hydrating, balancing, soothing, or exfoliating depending on their ingredients.
  • Older astringent toners relied on alcohol, while many current formulas focus on hydration and barrier support.
  • A toner is an optional step that can be tailored to individual skin needs rather than a mandatory one.

Frequently asked

Is a toner a necessary skincare step?

Toner is optional; it can add hydration or targeted benefits, but a solid routine of cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen works well without one.

How do I apply toner?

After cleansing, apply toner with clean hands by patting it in or with a cotton pad, then follow with your serums and moisturizer.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Skin acidification with a water‐in‐oil emulsion (pH 4) restores disrupted epidermal barrier and improves structure of lipid lamellae in the elderly PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. North American Virginian Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Efficacy of a twice-daily, 3-step, over-the-counter skincare regimen for the treatment of acne vulgaris PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. In vitro and in vivo study of the efficacy of a new sebum control essence PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use; astringent drug products; final monograph; direct final rule. Direct final rule PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.