Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Face toners have come a long way from their alcohol-laden past. The best toners for mature skin are less about stripping away oil and more about supporting your skin, a shift that becomes even more important as you age. Over time, skin cell turnover slows, collagen production declines, and the skin's ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to everything from dryness and dullness to fine lines, discoloration, and uneven texture. Fun, right?
While all of this is completely normal, there are skin-care products that can help your complexion look and feel its best. Case in point: toner. Today's formulas are packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid , ceramides , peptides , and gentle exfoliants that can target specific skin concerns, like dark spots, while offering a baseline of hydration. While they’re not a must-have for everyone, the right formula can replenish lost moisture , remove impurities, and boost your skin barrier , as well as prime your skin for the rest of your products, says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Pooja Rambhia , MD. Think of them as an extra layer of care tailored to your skin's evolving needs.
Should I use toner on mature skin? What is the best toner for a 50-year-old woman? Who should not use toner? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Best Overall: Medik8 Press and Glow Toner Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Medik8
Why it’s worth it : The last thing your skin needs is an exfoliating toner that leaves it feeling tight and dry. That's why we like Medik8 's Press & Glow Exfoliating PHA Tonic, which contains glycerin to keep skin moisturized. “It's one of my favorite humectants to keep the skin looking fresh and bouncy,” says Carlos Vieira , a board-certified dermatologist based in Philadelphia. As for its exfoliating powers, “it's formulated with 5.5% gluconolactone, a type of polyhydroxy acid that gently removes dead skin cells while helping skin hold onto moisture,” says Mamina Turegano , MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New Orleans. The toner also includes soothing ingredients like aloe vera , acai, and prickly pear extracts to keep irritation in check.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
“It’s only recently that I’ve become a toner convert, and this one finally convinced me that toners aren’t the stingy, drying formulas of the past. It feels as gentle as water (don’t worry—it’s definitely not just water) on my dry, sensitive skin. The mild exfoliating acids are cushioned with aloe vera, leaving my skin soft, calm, and refreshingly clean.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
Key ingredients: 5.5% gluconolactone, glycerin, aloe vera, acai, prickly pear extracts Fragrance-free: yes Best for Redness: Aestura A-Cica365 Cooling Relief Toner Pads pH4.5 Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Aestura
Why it’s worth it : You probably don't think much about your skin's pH, but it can affect how your skin looks and feels. Skin is naturally slightly acidic (around 4.5 to 5.5), which keeps its protective barrier healthy. As we age, though, that pH can creep up, leaving skin more prone to dryness, irritation, and redness. Aestura's toner pads have a pH of 4.5 to restore balance, plus a blend of Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica ) and zinc to soothe…