When it comes to formulating the ideal skincare routine, be prepared to face a couple of instances of trial and error.
With the magnitude of cleansers, moisturizers, and toners readily available, it’s all too simple to grab the first ones you see without thinking about the formula’s compatibility with your skin type, texture, and tone.
For example, if you have black skin, your skin type has a tendency to lose moisture at a faster rate than those who aren’t as melanin rich. Because of that, choosing the first product you see on the shelf may not cut it- but adding steps to your skincare routine, like the application of a high-quality toner, can make all the difference!
So, what are the best toners for black skin? When choosing a toner for black skin, you may want to find a product that is deeply moisturizing (to aid in hydration retention), radiance-boosting (to bring forth that inner glow), and healing (for hyperpigmentation and scarring).
The vastness of the skincare world means that for every toner out there that doesn’t work, there are a ton more that do. Here, we’ve rounded up the best toners for black skin so that you can glisten and gleam like never before!
Qualities Of The Best Toners For Black Skin
Deeply Moisturizing
When black skin is moisturized, it shines. To keep that shine lasting all day and all night, you may need more than just cream or heavy-duty moisturizer sitting on the skin. For nourishment that penetrates, a moisturizing toner can work miracles.
A moisturizing toner won’t have alcohol, astringent, or any other chemical ingredient that draws moisture out of the skin. Instead, it will aid your skin in drawing in hydration through the addition of elements like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or pH-balancing components.
Radiance-Boosting
A clear, even complexion can be the reward you earn from a compatible skincare routine, and a toner can help you get there. Radiance isn’t as straightforward of a term to describe skin, but it’s generally the word used when your skin is at its peak luminosity, texture, firmness, etc. Basically- it means it’s at its optimum health.
Radiant black skin can be achieved with more than just moisture! Keeping a look out for the additions of actives (AHAs/BHAs), retinol, collagen, and natural healing elements like hone can make melanin-rich skin look absolutely unreal- whether you’re under the sun or staying indoors.
Healing
If you’re black and are dealing with acne, sun spots, or any other forms of scarring, you may be familiar with the fact that these skin issues don’t leave red marks, but rather dark, brown ones. This is due to the readily available melanin in your skin, increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation in those areas.
To reduce the look of these scars, and prevent them from showing up again, use a melanin-blocking toner that contains tyrosinase inhibitors (that slow the overproduction of the pigment).
And don’t worry- they won’t affect your natural skin tone and glow, it just deals with existing scarring and prevents future problems from lasting too long!
Best Toners For Black Skin
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Perricone MD No-Rinse Intensive Toner | Removes debris, minimizes pores, hydrating |
| 2. | Laneige Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer | 2-in-1 cream/toner, deeply nourishing, deeply moisturizing |
| 3. | ElEMIS Rehydrating Facial Toner | Gentle, evens complexion, alcohol-free |
| 4. | Hero Cosmetics Clear Collective Balancing Toner | Fortifies moisture barrier, clean formula, serum-like |
| 5. | TULA Skin Care Balancing Act Toner Pads | Alcohol-free, exfoliating, contains pre/pro-biotics |
| 6. | SheaMoisture Even&Radiant Face Pads | Made for melanin-rich skin, deals with hyperpigmentation, contains raw honey |
| 7. | Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Toner | Exfoliating, clarifying, refreshing feel |
| 8. | [Dear, Klairs] Supple Preparation Facial Toner | Hyaluronic acid, hydrating, pH balancing |
| 9. | OLEHENRIKSON Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner | Potent, exfoliating, compatible with all skin types |
1. Perricone MD No-Rinse Intensive Toner
Wellness in a bottle! Perricone MD prides itself in offering holistic, clinically-studied skincare so that you don’t have to think twice about what you’re putting on your skin.
Intensively nourishing, this toner is a great choice for those who have oily skin, and are yearning for that healthy glow rather than a greasy sheen.
Lightly exfoliating, this formula penetrates deep into the skin and cleans out all the gunk and debris that’s hindering you from looking your best and brightest. Bye bye dullness, hello healthy skin!
2. Hero Cosmetics Clear Collective Balancing Toner
You may be familiar with Hero Cosmetics as the brand behind the famous Mighty Patch, but if you haven’t tried out their skincare line yet, let us be the first to tell you of how miraculous it is!
This balancing cleanser keeps skin and oil production at its best, and the result is skin-like velvet.
This is such a great pick for acne-prone black skin, not only due to the acne-fighting properties and clean formula but also due to its almost serum-like feel.
Upon application, your skin will feel instantly nourished and look healthier than ever.
3. TULA Skin Care Balancing Act Toner Pads
Though most toners are applied straight out of the bottle with a cotton pad or ball, you also have the option of opting for toner pads – which feature a jar full of saturated pads ready for you to swipe on your skin!
This allows you to use an allocated amount of product each time so you don’t overdo it!
We’re head over heels for these toner pads from TULA Skin Care, which feed your skin with the best pro and prebiotics you can find.
These ingredients work to nourish your skin from the inside out, so every layer is nursed to its utmost health. If the goal is skin that glows from within, look no further.
4. SheaMoisture Even&Radiant Face Pads
Specially formulated for black skin, these toner pads from SheaMoisture combine the refining properties of an exfoliant with the balancing properties of a toner in a single cotton round.
Alcohol-free and non-stripping, this product aids in the regulation of oiliness on the skin without sucking it dry of moisture.
That means that it’ll reduce shine and increase glow, which is a game changer for black skin!
And it doesn’t skimp out on nourishment and moisture either, since it cultivates the power of raw honey as a natural dark spot diminisher and hydration retainer.
5. Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Toner
This toner is a fantastic choice if you’re dealing with some mild texture, or have some stubborn under-the-surface skin spots that need a little more coaxing to get rid of!
This exfoliating toner by Farmacy isn’t just naturally sourced, but contains salicylic acid and papaya enzymes to scrub the skin clean without stripping it dry.
Having doubts? Farmacy held a six-week long trial with women aged 18-36 and the results were staggering.
100% of them said they felt this toner effectively removes excess sebum and debris from their skin, and 95% said it deep cleaned their pores.
6. [Dear, Klairs] Supple Preparation Facial Toner
The world of Korean skincare is a great one to try out if you have black skin, mainly in part to the unparalleled amount of focus placed on the reparation of the skin barrier and overall health of the skin.
This facial toner from beloved brand [Dear, Klairs] helps balance the skin by drawing in and locking in moisture.
It’s supple, almost serum-like texture is super nourishing, but it sinks into the skin like a dream, making it a perfect toner to use in the mornings!
7. Laneige Cream Skin Toner and Moisturizer
Need something a little more heavy duty?
If you’re looking for a surge of moisture and nourishment that leaves your skin looking and feeling like it never has before, you have to try out this moisturizer/toner hybrid from Laneige!
We know, it sounds like a strange combo, but leave it to Laneige to make it work! Though thin like a toner, a couple of swipes of this on your skin will make it feel like you just worked in a layer of night cream.
Not only that, but it’s also packed with White Tea Leaf Water to fortify and strengthen your skin’s natural defense against environmental aggressors.
8. OLEHENRIKSON Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner
If dark spots are your issue, kiss them goodbye by introducing this dark spot toner by OLEHENRIKSON into your skincare routine!
Formulated with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Witch Hazel Water, and a ton of other naturally-sourced ingredients, you’ll shed off any existing conditions, and nourish the baby-soft skin revealed underneath.
While potent, we love how gentle this toner is. It’s so gentle, that all skin types can use it without a hitch.
It’s super clean formula, which is free of any toxins and chemicals, make it an easy pick for those worried about their environmental impact too!
9. ELEMIS Rehydrating Facial Toner
This next facial toner is extra refreshing, especially since it comes in a spray bottle for an ulta-hygenic application!
You can either spritz it on your face directly, or moisten a cotton round with the formula and apply it.
We’re big fans of this toner for drier skin types, or those with mature skin.
The moisture boost helps fill in any fine lines, and the nourishment really aids in keeping skin looking plump and healthy.
With Ginseng, Sweet Betty Flower, and Saponins from Quillaja Wood, there’s no shortage of skin food for your body to enjoy and reap the benefits of.
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