a) What are your skin concerns? b) Choose your toner.

It’s that simple.
What tends to be more complicated: figuring out if you need a toner at all, and choosing a toner if you’re pregnant.

Do I need a toner?

Toning removes deeper-seated grime (why you still see some gunk on your cotton ball after swiping on toner) and can be an additional way to treat your skin with active ingredients. But for skin that is barrier compromised (with psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, for example) or that is already very dry, over-cleansing can further irritate or dry out skin. If your skin has any of the conditions mentioned above, or if it is currently experiencing a reaction, irritated or dry, skip the toner.

Pregnancy and Nursing

There are currently no studies conclusively showing that topically-applied cosmetics, particularly with the concentrations of ingredients they usually use, can penetrate the dermis, get to the bloodstream and affect the fetus or breast milk. Still, to be extra cautious, the rule of thumb is to avoid products with active ingredients that are not quickly washed off, and to avoid certain actives altogether.
 

Quick & (No Longer) Dirty Suggestions:

 
All-“Skinclusive”: for the most benefits with the least product
If you’d like the simplest regimen, with one toner that addresses acne, photo-aging, and brightening, opt for the Superskin Mandelic Acid-Monolaurin Toner for your skin type (1 for dry, 2 for combination, 3 for oily).
Face & Body Acne:
Id Anti-Acne Toner has both salicylic acid and monolaurin, so it effectively treats multiple types of acne (including fungal) on the face and body. TIP: Use it before an Illuminants+ Cream to help the brightening actives penetrate better for more effective lightening of dark spots, scars, and other hyperpigmentations.
Photo-Aging:
If your skin is already dry due to photo-aging (our skins tend to produce less sebum as we age), forego the toner. But if you’re being good and starting anti-aging therapy at a younger age, check out Re-Everything Treatment Toner.
Aftershave:
Why use just an aftershave when you can use a treatment aftershave and get more benefits with each application? 1635 Anti-Bump Aftershave Solution helps disinfect minor cuts after a shave, soothes skin with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, plus helps prevent shaving bumps and acne.
Pregnant or Nursing?
Grandma Minnie’s Kid Gloves Monolaurin Moisturizing “Anti-Micro-Bug” Hand Gel contains monolaurin (naturally found in breast milk) to help you combat acne while caring for baby.
 
 
For more on how to apply skincare, check out: Which Comes First, The Toner Or The Lotion? How To Apply Skincare In The Right Order
For more of our most popular combined regimens, check out: Combining Actives: Customize Your Skincare Regimen Like A Pro