Polyhydroxy Acid (PHA) Toner (Complete Guide + The Best To Buy)
Introducing new products into your skincare routine can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you’ve yet to branch away from the typical cleanser and moisturizer routine that many of us start with.
From serums and eye creams to toners and moisturizers, it can be a crazy world to maneuver on your own.
Some of the most popular skincare products at the moment are chemical exfoliants, including active toners, as well as AHA, BHA, and PHA-based toners.
The last of which is definitely the least known, so taking the plunge and buying one may be a confusing decision.
After all, what even is a PHA toner?
PHA toners are part of the same family as AHAs and BHAs, and are used as chemical exfoliants for the face. They’re far gentler on the skin and offer several benefits that make them a better choice for some individuals than other toners.
Consider this article your complete guide for becoming an expert in PHAs, and once you’re all caught up, we’ll give you our top choices for PHA toners that you can add to your routine!
What Are PHAs?
You may already be familiar with Alpha and Beta-hydroxy acids — especially if you’ve been in the skincare game for a while. However, while we were focusing on AHAs and BHAs, PHAs made a quiet entrance into the realm of skincare.
PHAs are Polyhydroxy Acids, and we wouldn’t necessarily consider them to be the direct sibling of AHAs or BHAs. AHAs/BHAs are known for their aggressive skin turnover rate.
They increase skin sensitivity (especially to the sun) and can be quite abrasive on the skin when overused.
PHAs? They don’t do that. They’re considered a second-generation chemical exfoliant, so they are far more gentle on the skin, while still achieving the same results as their more fiercely working distant cousins.
Just like other chemical exfoliants, PHAs increase your skin’s cell turnover rate to improve texture, acne, and other forms of scarring (like sun damage or hyperpigmentation).
Not only does this make your skin look better overall, but it also helps your other skincare products penetrate deeper into your skin’s surface.
Uniquely, they also prevent the process of glycation, which is when sugars in your body attach to the collagen in your face, effectively breaking them down and weakening them to the point where your skin loses its elasticity and ability to “bounce back.”
The gentler nature of PHAs is partly due to their high molecular weight. This is what sets them apart from other chemical exfoliants, as they penetrate the skin more slowly.
Think of it as a “slow-release” capsule for your skin, releasing all of the benefits at a rate more easily accepted by your skin!
Who Can Benefit From PHA Toners?
We believe in the philosophy that gentler is better. Skincare should never be thought of as a race, but rather as a marathon. Adhering to a gentle routine can yield better, more lasting results than an aggressive skincare regimen.
PHA toners offer reparative results, gently rebuilding your skin to optimum health over time.
With that said, we think that all skin types can benefit from the addition of a PHA toner.
You don’t have to give up other chemical exfoliants, but if you find that your skin is reacting negatively to the daily use of AHAs and BHAs, you may find relief in alternating uses with a PHA toner.
Despite its universal appeal, certain skin types may benefit from PHA toners. We’re specifically thinking of dry skin, sensitive skin, and individuals experiencing the initial signs of aging.
Dry skin types may have initially thought that chemical exfoliants aren’t a viable option to add to your skincare routine, because they’re known to dry out the skin before being able to regulate your skin’s oil production process.
Due to the slow absorption rate and high molecular size of PHA toners, you won’t experience that sort of aggressive drying!
This goes without saying, but sensitive skin types will find that PHA toners are much kinder on the skin than other chemical exfoliants.
Those with sensitive skin can attest that with other toners and actives, they may have to limit their use to once or twice a week, whereas pure or mixed PHA toners can be used every day.
Lastly, but certainly not least, those seeking preventative measures for aging will appreciate the gentle turnover rate of PHA toners.
We wouldn’t necessarily recommend that those with existing signs of aging try a PHA toner if they want quick results or if they have deeply ingrained lines — it’s more suitable for younger skin or those with minor aging signs.
PHA Benefits
If you’re already familiar with the benefits of AHAs and BHAs, then it’s likely that the benefits of PHA toners won’t come as a surprise to you!
Here are a couple of notable pros to switching to a Polyhydroxy formula:
- A refinement in skin texture
- Speeding up the healing process of acne scars
- Normalizing acne-prone skin and preventing future breakouts
- Giving you “just enough” exfoliation, nothing too abrasive
- Reduces collagen loss
- Can safely be used during the daytime
Best PHA Toners
Now that we’ve learned all about the benefits of PHA toners, here are some of our favorite products on the market today!
| Rank | Product | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | PYUNKANG YUL Calming Deep Toner | Cystic acne, tiger grass, sebum control |
| 2. | BOTANITY Makiol Toner | Mattifying, sebum control, cruelty-free |
| 3. | SOME BY MI 30 Days Miracle Toner | AHA/BHA addition, Korean, low pH |
| 4. | The INKEY List PHA Toner | Niacinamide, 2x daily use, super gentle |
| 5. | Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA | Cactus water, calming, hydrating |
| 6. | BENTON PHA Peeling Toner | AHA/BHA, hyaluronic acid, clean formula |
| 7. | The Vegan Glow Kombucha PHA Toner | Unscented, vegan, no “concept” ingredients |
1. PYUNKANG YUL Calming Deep Toner
The brand PYUNKANG YUL is Korean-based, but it’s recently made strides in international markets for its incredible line of skincare products, such as cleansers, serums, and (of course) toners.
This toner is incredibly gentle and calming, making it an especially great choice for those with angry, acne-prone skin and sensitive skin types in general.
You can trust that this formula was meticulously created, as Pyunkang Yul is named after an Eastern Medicine Medical Clinic that specializes in treating skin and respiratory diseases.
The same formulas used in medicine were adapted to create this line of skincare products, including this toner that features AHAs and PHAs sourced from all-natural ingredients, such as white willow bark.
In addition to the AHA and PHA added to this formula, there are other additives, such as Hyaluronic Acid and Panthenol, which skillfully attract and retain water and hydration in your skin, locking it in place.
Though PHAs don’t dry out the skin to the same effect as other chemical exfoliants, the addition of these hydrating agents makes it so you don’t have to worry about drying out at all!
In fact, regularly using this toner is a fantastic way to ensure that your skin is hydrated, plump, and looks full and healthy throughout the day.
You may be used to hydrating products leaving an almost sticky finish to the skin, but rest assured that this toner has a lightweight, non-sticky texture that will leave you feeling refreshed after use.
Like most Korean skincare products, this toner features the healing properties of Cica, a plant-derived ingredient from East Asia that soothes and protects the skin better than most naturally sourced ingredients.
This addition controls sebum production while soothing active breakouts, making it ideal for individuals with rosacea or oily skin.
2. BOTANITY Makiol Toner
There’s a common misconception that naturally derived skincare products aren’t as effective as those with more chemical bases — in reality, that’s just not true!
In fact, we would argue that plant-based products are better for the skin, as they’re far gentler and offer lasting results, just like this PHA-based toner from BOTANITY.
This brand prides itself in making products that are “powered by plants” — they even say that the key to beauty in cosmetics in skincare lies in nature!
This toner contains ingredients such as Aloe Barbadensis Leaf, Magnolia Bark, and Cica, all of which are deeply hydrating, healing, and soothing to the skin.
On their own, they’re incredible for facial texture and other skin concerns, but when used in this expertly concocted cocktail, then dull, sagging, generally unhappy skin will surely be a thing of the past!
And, of course, the addition of PHA in this formula makes it incredible for gentle exfoliation, expertly addressing texture, overproduction of oil, and reducing scarring without penetrating deeply enough to compromise the health of new skin cells or your moisture barrier in general.
The two main purposes of this toner are to improve skin texture and to balance your oil production.
As we mentioned earlier, other chemical exfoliants can leave your skin feeling stripped before balancing oil production, whereas PHAs work slowly enough so you’ll see the gradual balance of your skin’s oil production instead.
It’s challenging to find reputable skincare nowadays, especially if you’re not willing to invest in luxury products, but BOTANITY is dermatologist-tested and dermatologist-recommended, and is free from parabens, phthalates, and will always be cruelty-free.
3. SOME BY MI 30 Days Miracle Toner
This product isn’t called a “miracle toner” for no reason! Imagine achieving better, brighter, cleaner, and healthier skin than you’ve had in your whole life with just 30 days of dedicated use.
It may sound crazy, it may even sound too good to be true — but armed with a slew of positive reviews, and only gaining popularity in the skincare market, the 30 Days Miracle Toner by SOME BY MI is here to change the tides of the beauty world!
Although incredibly effective, we would say that this is one of the gentlest toners on our list.
Even more impressively, that gentle approach actually contains the exfoliating powers of PHA, BHA, and AHA. The secret is that they’re all used in easily handleable percentages, so your skin won’t freak out, dry out, or break out!
Those who have used this toner have dubbed it “relief” for their skin. It’s unbelievably calming, soothing, and helps with breakouts while preserving the strength of your skin.
The chemical exfoliants in the formula work in tandem with 10,000ppm of tea tree leaf extract, which dries out sebum and oil production just enough to offer you relief.
With all the ingredients in this formula being traditionally considered harsh or stripping, it’s surprising to think that it’s revered as a non-aggressive toner — the secret lies in the pH balance of the product.
Coming in at only 5.5 pH, this toner maintains the same pH level as your skin, making it a non-disruptive way to keep your skin exfoliated and looking its best.
4. The INKEY List PHA Toner
You’ve heard us rave about how fantastic, simple, and gentle our formulas are for the skin, and The INKEY List is definitely a big supporter of that approach to skincare.
If you’re just beginning your skincare journey and are looking at products to ease you into a more complex routine, The INKEY List is a fantastic place to start! They have a ton of simple ingredients, yet remain immensely effective on the skin.
Their PHA Toner is quite representative of that simple philosophy, containing 3% PHAs and 3% Niacinamide. The low percentage points of both ingredients allow the toner to gently improve your skin while keeping irritation, redness, and other issues at bay.
What we love about this toner is that it’s deeply moisturizing and gentle enough to use twice a day, every day.
While most chemical exfoliants are harsh and can strip the skin when used at high concentrations, INKEY List has mastered creating an exfoliant that yields effective results without harming your face in the process.
Another rockstar ingredient in this toner is the juice extracted from Aloe Barbadensis Leaves, a naturally sourced plant that helps soothe skin and lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day.
The best way to use this toner is immediately after a cleanser. Soak a cotton pad or ball in the toner and swipe it around your face, placing particular focus on the areas of your skin that feel congested.
Then, follow with the rest of your skincare!
5. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA
If there’s any kind of trend that will always be in, it’s the look of healthy, hydrated, glowing skin.
The key to achieving this kind of skin is by finding products that place importance on moisturizing your skin, while also repairing the skin barrier to prevent any future issues!
Glow Recipe is a brand you can count on to give you that unparalleled dewy glow to your skin without leaving your face feeling sticky or heavy with product.
The secret? Hydrating watermelon extract. It’s naturally derived so it’s super gentle on the skin, and smells summertime fresh upon application!
The watermelon extract in this formula is deeply nourishing, delivering vitamins and amino acids to your skin. With every use, your skin is left feeling supple, hydrated, and healthy.
However, the true star of this toner is the PHA+BHA cocktail, which works in tandem to gently shed old, dead, textured skin and reveal healthy skin underneath.
If you’re worried about using too many chemicals on the skin, you’ll be happy to hear that the BHA components of this formula are all naturally derived, specifically from Willow Bark Extract.
Don’t you hate it when skincare products only leave your face feeling healthy and hydrated during initial application? So do we!
Luckily, this toner utilizes the barrier-forming powers of Cactus Water, which seals in all the moisturizing and nourishing properties of the other ingredients while also introducing your skin to a healthy mix of antioxidants and electrolytes.
6. BENTON PHA Peeling Toner
Let’s break this next product down from the outside in. When you first receive your BENTON PHA Peeling Toner, you’ll notice that it comes in paper-based packaging.
This is actually a box made of leftover sugar cane byproduct that’s harvested during sugar cultivation — it’s an all-natural alternative to packaging that doesn’t hurt trees in the process!
But the packaging of this product isn’t the only thing that’s green or cruelty-free! The toner itself is certified green, as well as Leaping Bunny certified, so you can rest easy knowing that there wasn’t a single animal harmed during the production or testing of this toner!
Let’s dig a little deeper and take a look at the 3 main ingredients that make this toner such a great choice for all skin types. First and foremost, we have PHA, an exfoliator, oil regulator, and a reducer of white and blackheads.
On its own, it’s clear that this ingredient can work wonders on the skin, but it’s working in tandem with other ingredients like…
- Sodium Hyaluronate moisturizes the skin, keeping your face feeling dewy and plump. It’s naturally hydrating, absorbing moisture from the air to keep you hydrated long after application.
- Chrysanthemum is another great natural herb found in this toner. It doesn’t just give the product a great scent, but it also contains vitamins A, B1, and adenine, which soothe the skin and reduce swelling or inflammation.
This will heal active skin issues, including traditional acne, fungal acne, and capillary vessel breakage!
7. The Vegan Glow Kombucha PHA Toner
You may be familiar with Kombucha as a healing drink that balances out healthy bacteria in your tummy — you may be wondering what a health food drink is doing in your skincare product.
The answer is that it’s doing a lot. Those healthy bacteria may work wonders internally, but they also help maintain the moisture barrier on your face, ensuring your first line of defense is always in top shape. Oh, and did we mention that all of the PHA in this formula is found in the kombucha?
That’s right — Kombucha is naturally exfoliating, ridding your skin of surface-level issues while balancing your oil production at the same time.
One of our favorite features about this toner is that the brand promises an ingredient list with absolutely no “concept” additives. This means that it’s only made up of trustworthy ingredients — those known for their effectiveness on the skin, and no ingredients that could potentially yield unsavory results.
Regarding the formulation, you can be assured that this toner is completely vegan and cruelty-free. There are no parabens, SLS, SLES, PEG, silicones, or dimethicones, making it non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types and concerns.
Related Questions
Now that we’ve learned all about PHA toners and some of our favorite products, here are some additional questions that we thought you might have!
Should you wear SPF when using PHA toners?
The general rule of thumb is that you should always wear SPF, regardless of your skincare routine or the products you use.
While your skin’s sensitivity may not necessarily increase with the use of PHAs, the UV rays from the sun can still ruin the healing process of your skin — a high-quality sunscreen should always be used!
Can I use PHAs with AHAs and BHAs?
Yes! They’re in the same family, so you can use all of these chemical exfoliants in conjunction with one another. In fact, we’ve listed a handful of toners that are mixtures of PHAs with other actives.
Be mindful of their potential effect on your skin, though! Those with sensitive skin may be better off sticking to one hydroxy acid at a time.
Can I use PHA with retinol?
Due to their mild nature, PHAs can actually be used in conjunction with retinol. This sets them apart from other actives and exfoliants, making them a better option for those who use multiple formulas and products in their skincare routines.
