The Alcohol-Free Toners That Your Skin Will Get Drunk On

Now, we hope you do at least have a facial cleanser to… y’know, rid of all the gunk (makeup or not) that has been marinating in your skin for the number of hours that you’ve been up and about. Something other than water, because water doesn’t have skin-cleansing ingredients to effectively strip away the unwelcome guests on your complexion. So yes, if you have part one, great! Time to kick things up just a teeny notch, because you know you want beautiful radiant skin that isn’t greasy and splotchy and an active minefield of acne.
Part two of skincare features the toner, a very wronged and overlooked product, simply because people aren’t sure of why exactly is there a need for additional hydrating liquids, when you can jump straight to moisturiser. What a toner does, is to replenish whatever moisture and nutrients that was removed during the cleansing process. Even the gentlest, most hydrating of cleansers require a toner step afterwards, preferably within three minutes after washing your face. (That’s actually when your skin is most primed to absorb hydrating liquids, fyi.) Plus, a toner also preps your skin for more effective absorption of serums and moisturisers, too.
And unless you have unbearably oily skin that needs some sort of drying agent in your skincare (ahem, alcohol), there really is no need for such harsh ingredients in your toner. A rule of thumb when it comes to skincare — it shouldn’t feel painful, nor have you frowning at your skin afterwards. These alcohol-free toners that we’ve picked out will leave your skin looking fresh, smooth and hydrated.
 

Hada Labo Hydrating Lotion
$18.32, available at major department stores, Watsons and Guardian stores.

Easily a gem from the drugstore that many can attest to. The OG formula is the one with the orange tab on the external sticker, and it works wonders for your complexion. There’s no colour and no fragrance to the product, and it goes on incredibly gentle on the skin. Lightly pat the toner in, and it’s going to get absorbed quickly, leaving a non-offensive tacky texture that will disappear in a jiffy. Your skin is going to feel hydrated and refreshed, especially after a good cleanse.

Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner
$43, available at Kiehl’s stores and counters

Toners from Kiehl’s are already known to be both effective and gentle on the skin, so when the name of the product literally carries the phrase “alcohol-free” like a badge of honour, you can be sure that it’s going to have a formula that’s really mild. This one is made with the finest gentle herbal extracts for a natural and soothing effect with a gentle astringent effect.

Fresh Rose Floral Toner
$63, available at Sephora and sephora.sg

Rosewater has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that makes for great treatment for sensitive and inflamed skin. This toner delivers a quenching shot of moisture to your skin, leaving it cooled and prepped for upcoming serums and lotions.

Curel Sebum Trouble Care Lotion
$24.90, available at Watsons stores

Evidently, this toner is meant for folks that need help with sebum control. It doesn’t mean that folks with normal skin types can’t have a go at it. Just bear in mind that the product is going to be extra gentle, and extra effective when it comes to keeping facial oil production at a good level. We recommend using this on days when the hormonal breakouts hit, or just during particularly hot days where you find your skin feeling oilier than usual.

Dr. Jart PORE MEDIC Poreminish Mist
$46, available at Sephora and sephora.sg

As mentioned before, toner-mists work best for those who are nursing raw, angry acne on your complexion, where rough rubbing, patting or touching isn’t ideal. The solution? Spritz on a quick layer of this mist, and leave it to be absorbed into the skin. There you have it, and you don’t even have to come in contact with those irksome pimples.

Mario Badescu Aloe Vera Toner
$32, available at Sephora and sephora.sg

There’s a reason for aloe vera being one of the best natural ingredients out there for you skin — it’s very hydrating, and has anti-inflammatory properties that can cool and calm even the most sensitive of skins. With Mario Badescu being at the forefront for their pink powder spot solution, it’s likely that they’ll nail their toner as well, to keep skin moisturised and soft.

Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
$7.70, available at Guardian stores

Yay to botanical skincare! This particular formula effectively locks in moisture, and does not clog pores as well. It’s oil-free, alcohol-free (duh) and hypoallergenic with mild purifiers in it, so folks with sensitive skin might want to give this one a whirl — Neutrogena did promise that this toner isn’t going to cause any reactions on your skin as well.