Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story In the world of skincare, there’s some controversy about the role—and the necessity—of toners for mature skin. In a few instances, I’ve had dermatologists tell me that toners aren’t vital to my skin-care routine as a 46-year-old woman, especially if I’m using a good, gentle cleanser. (On that note, I could devote a whole other story to my love for Neuraé’s Caring Cleanser .) But if you ask Maryam Zamani, MD , a dual board-certified plastic surgeon, a good toner isn’t without its perks, especially for those, comme moi , with peri- or post-menopausal skin.
“One of the traditional roles of a toner is helping maintain the skin’s naturally acidic pH,” she says. “This matters more for mature skin than is often assumed: aging skin has a higher baseline surface pH and a diminished ability to buffer itself back to a healthy acidic range after cleansing. A well-formulated, mildly acidic toner can help close that gap and support a healthier barrier as a foundation for the rest of the routine.”
What’s more, she says, modern toners have evolved to serve more than their traditional functions. “The biggest misconception is that all toners are drying because people still associate them with the alcohol-based, astringent formulas of the past,” she says. “Today’s toners are very different. Many are formulated to hydrate, support the skin barrier, and deliver beneficial ingredients, making them a completely different category of product than they were decades ago.”
With this in mind, I’ve started sampling toners over the past couple of weeks, viewing this post-cleansing step as a best practice in a modern, anti-aging routine.“One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing in skincare is that we’re no longer trying to ‘fight’ the skin—we’re trying to support it, says Kristin Cabeda , MPAS-PAC, a board-certified master injector and the owner of Plumped in North Carolina. “For mature skin, that means prioritizing hydration, barrier function, and healthy cellular communication over aggressive stripping or over-exfoliation. A thoughtfully-formulated toner can be one of the simplest ways to build that healthier foundation.”
Ahead, find the toners that dermatologists and Vogue editors recommend for balancing skin’s pH levels and then some.
Should you use a toner on mature skin? What are the benefits of toner for mature skin? How We Tested Meet the Experts Best Hydrating: PCA Skin Hydrating Toner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist PCA Skin
Key Ingredients: Watermelon, apple, and lentil-fruit extracts, Jania Rubens extract, evening primrose oil Best For: Hydrating, softening, and smoothing the skin, all skin types Size: 7 fl oz Best Luxury Toner: La Mer The Essential Tonic Save to wishlist Save to wishlist La Mer
Key Ingredients: Comforting Ferment, Miracle Broth, peptides Best For: Hydrating, plumping, smoothing, radiance, even tone Size: 6.76 oz Best Mist: Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Tata Harper
Key Ingredients: Plant glycol, dual low-weight hyaluronic acid, sugar acids Best For: Hydration, radiance, elasticity, increased product absorption Size: 4.1 oz Best for Gentle Exfoliation: Augustinus Bader The Essence Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Augustinus Bader
Key Ingredients: TFC8, phytic acid, salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, gluconolactone, wasabi ferment, white peony extract Best For: pH balance, hydration, antioxidant support, gentle exfoliation, sensitive skin…