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Facial toners are the most effective supporting skincare products that multi-task in your skincare routine. They enhance other products so that your routine is fully geared toward your specific skin issues. And when aging and wrinkles are concerned, you’ll find some amazing anti-aging toners that’ll complement your anti-aging routine.
Even though they’re not really essential, they can be very much so if you want to be thorough. If you have dry skin, you’d want all your skincare products to be hydrating.
Similarly, if you’re following an anti-aging routine, you’d want your toner to be as nourishing and anti-wrinkle as your anti-aging serum.
What Does an Anti-Aging Toner Do?
Anti-aging toners do what regular toners do with serious added anti-wrinkle benefits. A toner works as a secondary cleanser to wipe off any residual dirt left on the skin after cleansing.
It can balance the skin’s pH level, which may be upset after a harsh cleanser. It restores some of the moisture lost during cleansing back to the skin.
In addition to these benefits, anti-aging toners formulated with antioxidants complement the antioxidants in your serums and creams.
They amplify the overall benefits you get from your products. They work like primers to prepare the skin for serums and moisturizers.
What to Look For in an Anti-Aging Toner
Look for antioxidants, peptides, retinol, and exfoliants in your anti-aging toner. Because an anti-aging toner is no different than a regular anti-aging product.
Alcohol-free toners that are rich in restorative and anti-inflammatory antioxidants can add to the quality of your skincare routine.
Additionally, toners that are formulated with exfoliating acids are inherently anti-aging as they can help rejuvenate the skin for a more youthful look.
But here’s the thing. Sometimes, things get confusing with those marketing terms. So you don’t literally need an anti-aging toner to collect the benefits.
Exfoliating toners, as we’ve established, are already anti-aging. So you can simply go ahead and just get a budget-friendly glycolic acid toner to reduce the look of wrinkles.
If you find active ingredients to be too harsh for your skin, you can always go for replenishing toners, which will prevent dehydration, reduce the look of fine lines, and improve your skin barrier.
The Best Anti-Aging Toners
So what are some good anti-aging toners? I thought you’d never ask, boo. From hydrating to exfoliating, below are the best anti-aging toners to supercharge your anti-aging skincare routine.
1. OleHenriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
One of the most annoying concerns of aging skin is dark spots. And one of the most effective ways to deal with them is by using exfoliating acids. This toner contains 2 alpha-hydroxy acids, glycolic and lactic, to exfoliate the skin and fade dark spots. Plus, it has witch hazel water, which we all know from its skin-tightening properties.
The toner also has licorice, which is an antioxidant you’ll find in almost all skincare products made to brighten your complexion and fight hyperpigmentation. The soothing chamomile extract calms the skin and prepares it for a full-blown skincare routine. The fast-absorbing formula has a beautiful vanilla scent to energize the skin too. The alcohol-free anti-aging toner is ideal for combination/oily skin.
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, licorice extract
Key Benefits: Exfoliates and brightens
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, scented, vegan, cruelty-free
Size: 6.05 oz/190 ml
2. Amorepacific Time Response Skin Reserve Toner
Targeting all that is aging, this one hydrates the skin and protects and soothes it too. The toner has hyaluronic acid to restore water to the skin. But the best part is EGCG, the antioxidant-packed extract from green tea. So overall, if you don’t enjoy exfoliating or potentially irritating anti-aging toners, this formula is an effective one to tackle wrinkles minus the irritation.
By covering the skin with a layer of antioxidants, you protect your skin from wrinkle-causing free radical damage and actually double the efficiency of your serums and creams. The Korean toner also has caffeine to revive the complexion and ginseng for its antioxidant benefits.
Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, caffeine, ginseng
Key Benefits: Neutralizes free radicals
Good To Know: Contains alcohol and fragrance
Size: 6.7 oz/ 200 ml
3. Murad Essential-C Toner
Made with one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients, the face toner is a radiance booster thanks to vitamin C. This skin-clearing vitamin is also paired with antioxidant-rich vitamins A, and E to provide free radical protection and target dullness and hyperpigmentation.
But more importantly, the vitamin C toner is infused with several amino acids, which are building blocks of collagen, helping the skin hold on to moisture better. The toner also has witch hazel to energize and firm up the skin and reduce the visibility of pores.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C and E
Key Benefits: Brightens and hydrates
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, contains fragrance
Size: 6 oz/177 ml
4. Paula’s Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner
The ingredients of your cleanser are crucial if you have dry skin. It can leave the skin feeling tight, red, and stripped. A replenishing anti-aging toner like this one can restore moisture, help repair the compromised skin barrier, and calm irritation. With hyaluronic acid and a blend of omega fatty acids, the toner restores hydration effectively because of its lightweight formula and prevents further moisture loss right after cleansing.
The instant plumping effect reduces the visibility of lines. It’s also infused with antioxidants derived from soybean and green tea. Plus, it has ferulic acid which is a major antioxidant booster itself. Licorice extract calms the skin and reduces redness, which is super handy for dry, mature skin.
Key Ingredients: Green tea, ferulic acid, hyaluronic acid
Key Benefits: Hydrates, improves skin barrier function
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free
Size: 4 oz/118 ml
Related: Best Anti-Aging Cleansers
5. Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner
Pollution, the sun, and stress all contribute to the formation of signs of aging. That’s why antioxidants are essential. This toner is made with a potent antioxidant, Coenzyme Q10, to target the signs of aging caused by oxidative stress.
This particular antioxidant is naturally produced in the body but decreases over time. It’s also beneficial in evening out the skin tone and revitalizing the complexion. Besides the antioxidants, the vegan face toner replenishes the skin with hyaluronic acid and calms it with aloe and cucumber.
Key Ingredients: Coenzyme Q10
Key Benefits: Combats free radical damage, hydrates
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free
Size: 4.2 oz/125 ml
6. Pixi Retinol Tonic
Retinol is an ingredient that’s directly associated with anti-aging. However, it’s not too common in a face toner. If you’re on an anti-aging skincare routine, you’re probably already using a retinol cream or a serum. If that’s the case, this is not for you as you don’t want to cause irritation or inflammation by using retinol on top of another one.
Having said that, if you haven’t tried this magic anti-aging ingredient, your toner is a great way to incorporate it into your skincare routine. Formulated with encapsulated retinol to make the skin slowly adjust to it, the toner also packs peptides to stimulate collagen production. The drugstore anti-aging toner also has hyaluronic acid and antioxidants derived from botanical extracts, making it one of the best affordable anti-aging toners to target aging skin.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, peptides
Key Benefits: Stimulates skin turnover
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, fragrance-free but scented, cruelty-free
Size: 3.4 oz/100 ml
7. Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist
This one works as your daily defense mist against oxidation all thanks to vitamin C. Applying it right after you clean your face creates a protective layer of nourishing antioxidants to guard the skin against free radical damage and treat the existing damage.
Antioxidants from green tea, and rose flower, as well as skin soother & moisturizer aloe, make the perfect combo for refreshing the face without the need for cotton pads. The spray toner makes it super convenient to apply the product several times during the day as a quick hydration boost.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea
Key Benefits: Stimulates collagen production, hydrates, and brightens
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty-free
Size: 5.1 oz/150 ml
8. HydroPeptide Pre-Treatment Face Toner
This is an amazing anti-aging toner that exfoliates, brightens, and hydrates. It’s formulated with lactic acid, which is the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acid. It exfoliates the skin to get rid of dead skin cells but it hydrates the skin at the same time. The toner also has vitamin C to brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, and stimulate collagen synthesis.
Plus, it packs green tea for its potent antioxidant benefits. It hydrates with hyaluronic acid and soothes with cucumber, aloe, and chamomile. The toner leaves the skin smooth, soft, and plump, making it one of the best anti-aging toners to tackle wrinkles.
Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, vitamin C, peptides
Key Benefits: Exfoliates, boosts radiance, and neutralizes free radicals
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, scented, cruelty-free
Size: 6.76 oz/200 ml
9. Natura Bisse Tolerance Toner
This is an over-achiever with its antioxidant-rich formula. The toner preps the skin with its soothing blend of botanicals like chamomile and elderberry extracts. This anti-inflammatory duo balances the skin after cleansing and reduces redness.
The toner mist also packs green tea, which is chock full of phenolic antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. In doing so, the mist strengthens the skin barrier and protects it against wrinkle-causing elements. It’s also rich in amino acids to repair the skin barrier and help you achieve a smoother and brighter complexion.
Key Ingredients: Amino acids, antioxidants
Key Benefits: Hydrates, repairs free radical damage
Good To Know: Alcohol-free, contains fragrance
Size: 7 oz/200 ml
How To Use an Anti-Aging Toner
Here’s where it gets tricky. Usually, a basic toner that balances and hydrates the complexion should go after your cleanser and before your serums. But anti-aging toners require a little bit of knowledge of the ingredients.
So if you’re going to use an anti-aging toner made with exfoliating acids, retinol, or pure vitamin C, you need to make sure those ingredients aren’t also present in your other products.
In sum, you shouldn’t use an exfoliating toner under an exfoliating serum. You can irritate your skin, and cause redness, and inflammation. So in that sense, treat your anti-aging toner like it’s an anti-aging serum. And avoid layering too many ingredients.
Read Next: The Most Nourishing Anti-Aging Essences
FAQs
What are the benefits of anti-aging toners?
Anti-aging toners are like treatment products you can utilize in your routine to better target signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Compared to a very basic, regular face toner, anti-aging toners contain active ingredients such as antioxidants, peptides, and retinol to tackle age-related skin issues.
How do I choose the best anti-aging toner for my skin?
Keep your skin type in mind. If you have dry, mature skin, avoid alcohol in your toners, which can further dry your skin. If you have oily, congested skin, try exfoliating toners as they’re inherently anti-aging because of the way they stimulate skin turnover.
Can I use an anti-aging toner every day?
You can use anti-aging toners once or twice every day. If your toner contains active ingredients and you think they are irritating your skin, try using your anti-aging toner every other day until your skin builds tolerance.
What do I do after applying my anti-aging toner?
After your skin absorbs your toner, follow with your face serums and then seal moisture in with a moisturizer. If it’s daytime, don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
