The Best Toner for Men: 10 Products You Need to Try

What is the best toner for men?

Toners are the kind of multifaceted, difficult to pin down product that a lot of men won't have the patience to test out for themselves. That's fair enough, but with a bit of experimentation we're certain that you'll be able to find a toner that slots seamlessly into your routine, and helps bring your skincare regime up a notch. In this article, we cover how you can make the most of toner and the 10 Best Toners for Men that you should try out for yourself.

Toner: how does it work?

Most women you'll meet will own a toner that they swear by for one good reason: it's perhaps the most effective tool for removing makeup day to day without causing skin irritation. Men, on the other hand, wear makeup much less commonly than women, and if you're not into cosmetics, it's understandable that you might assume toners aren't for you.

However, toner has a number of applications that all men, skincare regime or skin type, can absolutely make use of.

Toner gently removes oil and grease from the skin, helps to unclog the pores, and crucially, encourages the pores to close up as it dries. This has a couple of major advantages for those with oily skin. Using a cleanser, especially one with harsh surfactant agents like those designed for oilier skin types, strips moisture and oil from the skin, which can stimulate the pores to produce more oil.

Using a toner after cleansing will slow the production of oil by closing the pores, keeping your skin fresher for longer.

Toner is the perfect tool for a midday refresh for exactly the same reasons. If you're affected by midday shine from excessively oily skin, you might be tempted to use a cleanser or cleansing wipe to combat it, and while this is a logical choice, it's likely to provoke your skin to produce sebum more rapidly. A toning pad or toner will rapidly and gently cleanse the skin while encouraging your pores to stay closed.

For those with dry skin, it's common for cleansers to irritate and inflame the skin, or even aggravate dryness. Switching to a super gentle cleanser and combining it with a toner is a fantastic way to ensure your pores and skin are deeply cleansed without exacerbating dryness.

How to Use Toner

Toners are best used when slotted into a simple daily skincare routine such as the following:

Cleanse with warm water (60 seconds).
Gently dry your skin with a towel.
Apply a toner with a pad or clean, dry towel.
Allow toner to air dry, after the toner has set dry on your face your pores will be shut, oil production will have slowed down, and your uptake of any moisturising or anti-ageing treatments you apply afterwards will be better.
(Optional) Apply a serum.
Moisturise.
Keep a toner in your desk or gym bag to remove any midday shine.
Apply a small quantity of moisturiser if your skin feels dry or tight after midday use.

The Best Toner for Men: 10 Products You Need to Try

1. Triumph & Disaster Logic Toning Lotion

£26.00

The Triumph & Disaster Logic Toning Lotion combines natural antiseptic and astringent agents Witch Hazel, Alpine Willow Herb, and Tasmanian Pepper Fruit. Reducing oily residue while improving skin texture, your skin will be clean and fresh without losing moisture.

2. Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner 240ml

£16.00

The Herbal Mint Toner from Baxter of Californiais a contender for best toner for men because of it's exceptional refreshing quality. Its blend of Mint, Cucumber and Witch Hazel is a treat for tired or stressed skin, and a great solution for combating oiliness.

3. Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner 200ml

£39.00

The Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner blends light and refreshing Citrus fruits with naturally antiseptic Rosemary Leaf and Witch Hazel to create a light, cooling toner that can be used as you need throughout the day.

4. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion 200ml

£12.50

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion contains Lipo-Hydroxy Acid, which makes it a potent anti-blemish treatment. It fights blemishes by combating microcomedones, pores that become blocked with microscopic dead skin cells, that are the precursor to all acne, as well as preventing future microcomedones from forming. Being hypoallergenic, it's the perfect solution for those with combination skin that need to combat oil and spots without aggravating sensitive patches.

5. men-ü Matt Skin Refresh Gel 100ml

18 reviews

The men-ü Matt Skin Refresh Gel is a mattifying toner gel that is an ideal solution for fighting midday shine and slowing oil production. Long lasting, with up to 120 applications per bottle, and available in refill packs, it won't break the bank and is easily recycled.

6. Anthony Astringent Oil Control Toner Pads

7 reviews

£25.00

The Astringent Oil Control Toner Pads from Anthonyare a quick and easy solution that's perfect for when you're on the go. With soothing Aloe Vera, anti-blemish Witch Hazel and Azeloglicina that noramlises sebum production, the pads' toning solution has everything you need to control oil and fight against shine.

7. Lab Series Anti-Age Max LS Water Lotion 200ml

£34.00

The Lab Series Skincare for Men Max Recharging Water Lotion is a weightless solution that helps to clear dead skin cells from the skin's surface, and uses its charged water Aquatron system to ensure maximum uptake from the skin. This means it gently cleanses while re-hydrating the skin.

8. Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 8% Toner

£34.00

The Glycolic Acid 8% Toner from Peter Thomas Rothis a toner that makes use of Glycolic Acid, a light exfoliating agent, to clear away dead skin cells, stop pore blockages, and refresh the complexion.

9. Murad Environmental Shield Essential C - Toner (180ml)

£34.00

The Envinromental Shield Essential C Toner from Murad is a toning formulation designed to rebalance skin that has been affected by environmental pollutants. Its complex of Amino Acids, Witch Hazel, and Sodium PCA helps to restore moisture to the skin while unclogging pores and fighting against toxins.

10. ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh - Spritzer 100ml

£20.00

A clarifying toner that makes use of flower waters and essential oils to purify the skin, the ESPA Balancing Herbal Spafresh Spritzer is a perfect way to maintain the skin's natural pH balance, revitalise skin, and combat oiliness. A definite contender for the best toner for men.