A face toner is the step between cleansing and moisturising. It sweeps away what your face wash leaves behind, rebalances the skin after cleansing, and preps it so your serum and moisturiser absorb better. Every Plum toner is 100% vegan, and our Green Tea, Niacinamide and Vitamin C toners are alcohol-free, so you get the benefits without the tight, stripped feeling. Here's how to pick the right toner for your face.
How toners work
After cleansing, a toner removes leftover dirt, oil and makeup, restores the skin's natural pH (around 5.5) and delivers targeted actives such as niacinamide, vitamin C or glycolic acid. It also leaves skin slightly damp, which helps the next steps in your skincare routine sink in.
Benefits of using a face toner
- Refines pores: clears out residue that makes pores look bigger and helps skin look smoother.
- Hydrates: hydrating toners leave skin refreshed and plump before moisturiser.
- Balances pH: an imbalance can lead to dryness, oiliness or breakouts.
- Targets concerns: actives in a toner can help with blemishes, dullness, dark spots or rough texture.
Best toner for oily and acne-prone skin
Oily skin needs a toner that controls shine and keeps pores clear without drying the skin out, which can trigger even more oil.
- Green Tea Alcohol-free Toner: our go-to toner for oily and acne-prone skin. It fights pimples, minimises the look of pores and refreshes skin without drying.
- 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Toner: clears blemishes and refines pores while brightening. It's fragrance-free, which makes it a good pick for oily skin that's also sensitive.
Best toner for glowing skin and dark spots
- 1.5% Vitamin C & Mandarin Toner: a soft-spray toner with ethyl ascorbic acid, Japanese mandarin and Kakadu plum that boosts glow and helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
- 1% Vitamin C & Mandarin Toner: a gentler strength of the same formula, for everyday glow.
- 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Toner: brightens and evens out skin tone.
Best toner for dry and sensitive skin
Dry and sensitive skin needs toners that hydrate and support the skin barrier. Skip alcohol and harsh astringents.
- CeraSense™ Milky Toner: a lightweight ceramide spray toner that replenishes the skin barrier and locks in moisture. It's ideal for dry skin and winter, and hydrates dehydrated oily skin without adding oil.
- Bulgarian Valley Rose Water Toner: rose extracts, hyaluronic acid, calendula and glycerin to hydrate, plump and soothe. It's free of artificial fragrances.
- Cica & Hya-Betaine Vegan Mucin Essence: deep, long-lasting hydration that calms and cools. Use it after toner for a dewy, glass-skin finish.
Best exfoliating toner for textured skin
Goji Berry & 5% Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner gently removes dead skin build-up to smooth rough, bumpy texture and dullness. Use it at night, twice a week, and always wear sunscreen the next day.
Toner vs face mist vs essence
- Toner: used right after cleansing to rebalance skin and deliver actives.
- Face mist: a quick top-up of hydration you can use any time, even over makeup. Try the 1% Marine Spring Water Toning Mist.
- Essence: a hydration-focused layer between toner and serum, for skin that needs extra moisture.
Key toner ingredients and what they do
- Niacinamide: refines pores, fades blemishes and brightens.
- Green tea: antioxidant-rich and helps calm oily, acne-prone skin.
- Vitamin C: boosts glow and targets dark spots. Shop vitamin C skincare.
- Glycolic acid: an AHA that exfoliates for smoother, brighter skin.
- Ceramides: rebuild and protect the skin barrier.
- Hyaluronic acid and glycerin: draw in water for plump, hydrated skin. See our hyaluronic acid serums.
How to use a face toner
- Cleanse with a face wash that suits your skin type.
- Apply toner with a cotton pad or your palms, or mist it on if it's a spray toner. Avoid the eye area.
- Let it absorb, then follow with serum and moisturiser.
- Use hydrating and balancing toners morning and night. Limit exfoliating toners to 2–3 times a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which toner is best for oily skin?
Choose a lightweight toner that controls oil without drying your skin. The Green Tea Alcohol-free Toner fights pimples and minimises pores, and the 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Toner clears blemishes and refines pores.
Which toner is best for dry and sensitive skin?
Look for hydrating, barrier-supporting toners without harsh astringents. The CeraSense™ Milky Toner uses ceramides to lock in moisture, and the Bulgarian Valley Rose Water Toner hydrates with hyaluronic acid and soothing calendula. Patch test any new product first.
Which toner is best for glowing skin?
A vitamin C or niacinamide toner is a good choice for glow. The 1.5% Vitamin C & Mandarin Toner boosts radiance and helps fade dark spots, while the 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Toner brightens and evens skin tone.
What does a face toner do?
A toner removes what your cleanser leaves behind, rebalances skin after washing and preps it to absorb serum and moisturiser. Depending on its actives, it can also hydrate, refine pores, brighten or gently exfoliate.
Can I use toner every day?
Yes. Hydrating and balancing toners can be used morning and night. Exfoliating toners, such as the Goji Berry & 5% Glycolic Acid Toner, should be used only 2 times a week at night.
Is a face toner necessary?
It isn't essential, but it's a useful step. A toner adds hydration and targeted actives, and helps the rest of your skincare routine work better.
Do I apply toner before or after serum?
Before. The usual order is cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning.
Can I use toner before makeup?
Yes. A light, fast-absorbing toner preps skin for a smoother base. Let it absorb fully, then apply moisturiser and sunscreen before makeup.
Can men use face toner?
Absolutely. Toners work the same way on all skin. Men with oily skin often like the Green Tea Alcohol-free Toner for oil control after shaving and washing.
What is the difference between a toner and a face mist?
A toner is used right after cleansing to rebalance skin and deliver actives. A face mist is a hydration top-up you can use any time, even over makeup, like the 1% Marine Spring Water Toning Mist.
Best Plum face toners by skin type
Face toner | Skin type | Benefits |
| Green Tea Alcohol-free Toner | Oily, acne-prone, combination | Fights pimples, minimises pores, refreshes without drying |
| 3% Niacinamide & Rice Water Toner | All skin types | Brightens, clears blemishes, refines pores |
| 1.5% Vitamin C & Mandarin Toner | All skin types | Boosts glow, fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation |
| 1% Vitamin C & Mandarin Toner | All skin types | Gentle everyday glow, tightens pores |
| CeraSense™ Milky Toner | Dry, dehydrated | Ceramides repair the barrier and lock in moisture |
| Bulgarian Valley Rose Water Toner | All skin types, dry | Hydrates, plumps, soothes |
| Goji Berry & 5% Glycolic Acid Toner | Textured, dull | Exfoliates dead skin, smooths texture |
| 1% Marine Spring Water Toning Mist | All skin types | Hydrates, cools, soothes redness |
| Cica & Hya-Betaine Mucin Essence | Dry, dehydrated, sensitive | Deep hydration, calms and cools |
