Toners Explained: The Pros, Cons, and Whether They're Right for You
Quick answer: Toner is a water-based liquid you apply after cleansing to lift any last traces of makeup and oil, add a little hydration and prep your skin for serum and moisturiser. It's optional: if your cleanser is gentle and you follow with a hydrating serum, you can happily skip it. If you skip toner, Thin Lizzy Hyaluronic Acid Serum is an easy way to add hydration straight after cleansing.
Most of us have owned a toner at some point, often a stinging, alcohol-heavy one from our teenage years. Today's toners are very different, and the question has changed from "how strong should it be?" to "do I need one at all?" Here's what toner actually does, the pros and cons, the main types, and how to tell whether it belongs in your routine.
What Does Toner Do for Your Face?
Toner is a thin, water-based liquid you apply after cleansing, either with a cotton pad or by pressing it in with your hands. Older toners were mostly alcohol-based and designed to strip away oil, which is why they earned a reputation for leaving skin tight and dry. Modern formulas are much gentler, and depending on the type, a toner can:
- Remove leftover residue: pick up traces of makeup, oil or cleanser you missed.
- Add hydration: hydrating toners contain ingredients such as glycerin, aloe or hyaluronic acid, so skin feels softer and more comfortable.
- Gently exfoliate: exfoliating toners contain AHAs or BHAs that help lift dead skin cells, so skin looks brighter and feels smoother.
- Prep your skin: slightly damp skin helps serums and moisturisers spread more easily.
The Pros and Cons of Using a Toner
Pros
- A second cleanse, which can be handy if you wear long-wear makeup or a heavy sunscreen.
- A quick layer of hydration before serum and moisturiser.
- Exfoliating toners can help oily or congested-looking skin look clearer and smoother.
- It can feel refreshing, and many people simply enjoy the ritual.
Cons
- Alcohol-based or strongly exfoliating toners can leave dry or sensitive skin feeling tight, red or uncomfortable.
- It's an extra step and an extra product that not everyone needs.
- Using the wrong type for your skin, or using an exfoliating toner too often, can do more harm than good.
Types of Toner and Which Skin They Suit
- Hydrating toners: usually alcohol-free, with ingredients like glycerin, aloe, rose water or hyaluronic acid. Good for most skin types, especially normal, dry and mature skin.
- Exfoliating toners: contain AHAs (such as glycolic or lactic acid) or BHAs (such as salicylic acid). Best for oily, combination or congested-looking skin. Use them a few times a week rather than daily, and go gently on dry or sensitive skin.
- Astringent toners: often alcohol-based and designed to remove oil. They are usually too harsh for dry, sensitive or mature skin.
Do You Need a Toner? Ask Yourself These Questions
- Does my skin feel tight after cleansing? Your cleanser may be too harsh. Switching to a gentle cleanser often helps more than adding a toner.
- Is my skin oily or prone to congestion? A gentle exfoliating toner a few times a week may help skin look clearer and feel smoother.
- Is my skin dry, sensitive or mature? Skip alcohol-based toners. A hydrating toner or, often better, a hydrating serum will do more for you.
- Do I like a short routine? Then skip it. A good cleanser, serum and moisturiser cover the essentials.
Where Toner Fits in Your Routine
A simple order is: cleanse, tone (optional), serum, moisturise, and in the morning, finish with sunscreen. Thinner textures always go on before thicker ones. If you leave toner out, a gentle cleanser and a hydrating serum cover most of what a toner does, without the extra step.
Our Picks If You'd Rather Skip Toner
Probiotic Amino Purifying Cleanser
Best for: a gentle cleanse that leaves skin feeling fresh, not tight.
A lightweight cleanser that creates a gentle foam to lift away dirt, pollution and makeup. It's formulated without traditional harsh alcohols and includes amino acids, probiotics, black rose and cucumber extracts, so skin feels clean, soft and comfortable rather than stripped. That leaves less for a toner to do.
- Gentle, lightweight foam
- Formulated without harsh alcohols
- Lifts away makeup and everyday grime
- Preps skin for the next steps
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Best for: adding hydration after cleansing, with or without a toner.
A hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid (as sodium hyaluronate) plus Sophora flavescens and Scutellaria baicalensis root extracts. It plumps skin with moisture, so it looks smoother and dewier, and it helps the look of fine lines and uneven texture appear softer. It absorbs quickly and isn't greasy.
- 1.5% hyaluronic acid
- Apply to lightly damp skin
- Use morning and night
- Suitable for all skin types
Dewy Glass Hydra Lotion
Best for: sealing in hydration with a fresh, dewy finish.
A concentrated hydrating essence-lotion with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, pomegranate fruit extract and red algae. The silky texture smooths on easily and leaves a non-greasy, glass-like glow, so skin looks radiant and feels soft. It suits dry, mature and oily skin alike.
- Silky, non-greasy texture
- Dewy, radiant-looking finish
- With hyaluronic acid and vitamin E
- Wear alone or under makeup
How to Use Toner (If You Choose To)
- Cleanse first: use a gentle cleanser and pat your face dry.
- Apply a small amount: soak a cotton pad, or tip a few drops into your palms.
- Sweep or press: sweep the pad lightly outwards, or press the toner into your skin with your hands. Avoid rubbing.
- Go easy with exfoliating toners: start with two or three evenings a week and see how your skin feels.
- Follow straight away with serum: apply it while your skin is still slightly damp.
- Moisturise: seal everything in with your moisturiser.
- Morning: wear a separate sunscreen as the last step of your skincare, especially if you use an exfoliating toner.
Common Toner Myths
- "Toner is only for oily skin." Not true. Hydrating toners suit dry and mature skin too.
- "Toner can replace moisturiser." No. Toner preps the skin; it doesn't replace a moisturiser.
- "Everyone needs a toner." No. It's optional, and plenty of great routines skip it.
- "If it stings, it's working." No. Stinging usually means the formula is too harsh for your skin.
Building your routine? Read our guides on how to choose the perfect serum for your skin type, the benefits of hyaluronic acid and why makeup removal matters.
What Customers Say
"You only need a very small amount to lather up and it makes my face feel really fresh and clean ready for the hyaluronic serum."
Helen S., verified customer (Probiotic Cleanser)
"Love this product. Removes all traces of makeup and makes my skin so soft"
Mandy L., verified customer (Probiotic Cleanser)
"Lovely feeling on your face. My skin feels nice and soft. Would definitely recommend it."
Julie S., verified customer (Hyaluronic Acid Serum)
Read all Hyaluronic Acid Serum reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does toner do for your face?
It removes leftover residue after cleansing, can add hydration or gentle exfoliation depending on the type, and preps your skin for serum and moisturiser.
Is toner necessary?
No. It's optional. If your skin feels comfortable after cleansing and you use a hydrating serum, you can skip it.
Do you use toner before or after serum?
Before. The usual order is cleanse, tone, serum, moisturise, with sunscreen last in the morning.
Is toner good for mature or dry skin?
Only if it's gentle and alcohol-free. A hydrating toner or a hydrating serum is a better choice than an astringent toner, which can leave dry skin feeling tight.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy skincare in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Toner can be a pleasant extra, but it isn't essential. Focus on a gentle cleanser, a hydrating serum and a good moisturiser, and add a toner only if your skin genuinely feels better for it.
