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STYLE

How to choose a toner for sensitive skin, according to an expert

Get glowing skin with toners that are kind to skin and deliver visible results

By Balvinder Sandhu - 

Credit: Melixir
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Choosing the right toner depends on your skin type and goals. While it may seem like a step you can afford to skip in your beauty routine, toners actually offer a range of benefits for your skin.

Dr Melinda Goh, aesthetic doctor at S Aesthetics Clinic, explains that toners are typically used after cleansing to sweep away any lingering oil or impurities, while also priming the skin for the next steps in your routine.

While traditional toners were often highly astringent – containing alcohol that could strip the skin’s natural moisture and compromise its protective barrier, leading to dryness and irritation – modern formulas have come a long way.

“Today’s toners are enriched with a variety of beneficial ingredients, making them much kinder and more suitable for different skin types,” says Dr Goh.

When choosing a toner, she advises being mindful of the alcohol content and to avoid overloading your skincare routine with too many active ingredients, as this may lead to irritation.

“Opt for a mild, alcohol-free hydrating toner to support your skin’s health, rather than disrupt it. Always patch-test new products to ensure they suit your skin,” she says.

How often you use a toner depends on your skin’s needs and the formulation. Toners with active ingredients should initially be used two to three times a week, gradually increasing to daily use as your skin builds tolerance. Hydrating toners, however, are generally safe for daily application.

For best results, apply toner to damp skin after cleansing, using either a cotton pad or your hands. Follow up with a serum or moisturiser, and finish with sunscreen.

If you have sensitive skin, Dr Goh recommends calming toners with ingredients like centella asiatica and ceramides, which help to reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier. Avoid toners that contain witch hazel, alcohol, fragrances or exfoliating acids, as these can cause irritation.

Sigi Skin Dew Potion Essence Mist, $52

Credit: Sigi Skin
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This waterless essence mist is packed with antioxidants and comes in limited-edition Sweet Sakura packaging as part of the brand’s spring Sweet Sakura Collection. Use it as a spritz throughout the day for a refreshing pick-me-up, or as a toner to prep and nourish your skin. Infused with chamomile for calming hydration and maqui berry for a revitalising boost, it’s a gentle multi-tasker your skin will love.

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Melixir Vegan Balancing Toner, $43

Credit: Melixir
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Harnessing the calming powers of Korean green tea, this toner is inspired by traditional medicinal herbs used across Asia. Rich in antioxidant polyphenols, it helps balance the skin for improved clarity. Green tea extract soothes and hydrates sensitive skin while gently clearing impurities and dead skin cells. It also enhances absorption of subsequent products like serums and moisturisers.

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Sulwhasoo Essential Revitalising Water EX, $85

Credit: Sulwhasoo
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Sulwhasoo’s revamped Essential line offers a refined take on early anti-ageing skincare. The upgraded range features the brand’s JAUM Activator™ – a blend of five skin-enhancing herbs – alongside plum blossom extract, carnosine and glutathione, delivering a more potent formula. This toner provides deep hydration and restores vitality, with a lightweight texture that’s quickly absorbed – a fuss-free addition to your skincare ritual.

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Natio Aromatherapy Rosewater and Chamomile Gentle Skin Toner, $19.90

Credit: Natio
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This alcohol-free, plant-based toner refreshes and softens the skin while removing surface impurities. The gentle formula is enriched with Natio’s signature blend of essential oils to purify, soothe and tighten pores. Skin is left clean and calm, prepped for the next step in your routine. It’s so well-loved that a bottle sells globally every minute.

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Fenty Skin Cherry Dub BHA Toner, $51

Credit: Fenty Skin
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Gentle enough for daily use, this toner is ideal for oily or congestion-prone skin. Aloe juice soothes and conditions, while willow bark extract helps purify and refine pores. A triple cherry complex adds an instant glow, all wrapped in a vibrant Barbados Cherry-inspired scent – a nod to founder Rihanna’s Caribbean roots.

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Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Refining Dream Toner, $59

Credit: Fresh
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Ever wished for skin that glows like a dream? This toner is designed to reveal softer, more radiant skin with a glass-like glow. It gently decongests and refines texture using glycolic acid to enhance cell turnover, while rainbow algae extract brightens and polyglutamic acid locks in hydration – leaving skin smoother and less dull.

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Tonerssensitive skin
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