The late 1990s to early 2000s saw the rise of alcohol-based and drying toners and astringents. However, times have changed and moisturizing, hydrating, and balancing toners are now taking center stage.
Hyaluronic acid toners were made for this moment as they simultaneously cleanse, hydrate, and nourish the skin. (Healthline)
But with so many out there, which is the best hyaluronic acid toner for you? Read our article to find out!
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In This Article
Here are my top recommendations:
Best For:
✅ Parched, Dry Skin
✅ Aging, Mature Skin
✅ Normal to Combination Skin
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Sodium Hyaluronate
⭐ Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
⭐ Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Key Features:
👍 5 Types of Hyaluronic Acid
👍 Botanical Extracts
👍 Amazing Value for Money
Do you want to take your skin to the next level? The IsNtree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus may get you there!
This toner is an improvement upon the original IsNtree hyaluronic acid toner, which contained three different types of hyaluronic acid.
Aptly, the IsNtree Toner Plus adds two more types for a total of five (!!!) different hyaluronic acids to ensure that your skin gets the hydration it deserves:
These low, medium, and high molecular levels build moisture layer by layer to ensure maximum hydration and optimal absorption. The entire toner is 50% hyaluronic acid, with the other 50% made up of other ingredients, such as:
The IsNtree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus has an ampoule-like texture that is easily absorbed by the skin and you’ll immediately feel the moisture sinking in.
However, it can sometimes feel as if this moisture is washed away every morning. And so, make sure that you hold out until you get results. I use this toner daily, and at first, I didn’t really notice its effects. It took around two weeks of daily use before I observed my skin turning smoother and plumper.
Our Verdict: The IsNtree Hyaluronic Acid Toner Plus offers award-winning hydration that penetrates all levels of the skin. However, it’s not exactly the cheapest at around $3.5 per oz. You can also try the original IsNtree Hyaluronic Acid Toner, which is approximately $2.5 per oz and still contains three different types of hyaluronic acid.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ K-Beauty Fans
✅ Hydration
✅ Soothing
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Centella Asiatica
⭐ Beta-Glucan
⭐ Lipidure
Key Features:
👍 K-Beauty Bestseller
👍 Alcohol-Free
👍 Super Moisturizing
👍 Great Value
Achieve the supple skin of your K-beauty dreams with Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner!
This cult-favorite toner has a mix of moisturizing ingredients with hyaluronic acid as its main hydrating base. It also contains centella asiatica, which soothes the skin, and beta-glucan, a humectant that is even more moisturizing than hyaluronic acid (Byrdie).
This is probably where the company got the claim that it prolongs hydration by “more than 20%” compared to conventional toners.
As if this trifecta wasn’t enough, Klairs added lipidure (polyquaternium -51) to the formulation, a skin-conditioning polymer that helps the skin retain more moisture by forming a protective film over the epidermis to prevent water loss. (Trade Korea)
All of these together provides intense hydration that’s sure to nourish even very dry skin. Because of this, you can even use it as a restoring moisturizer, albeit in liquid form.
I used this toner before I switched to IsNtree’s, and I have to say that Klairs delivered more immediate and apparent results. Things just hit a snag when I started breaking out because of the citrus and essential oils. If you’re also sensitive to those, I suggest you skip this. Otherwise, it’s worth the hype!
Our Verdict: Satiate your dehydrated skin with Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner and its quadfecta of hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica, beta-glucan, and lipidure. With over 4,000 reviews and 79% 5-stars on Amazon, this alcohol-free toner is tested and proven.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ e.l.f. Followers
✅ Budget Buyers
✅ Hydration
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Sodium Hyaluronate
⭐ Witch Hazel
⭐ Aspartic Acid
⭐ Urea
⭐ Glycerin
⭐ Aloe Vera
Key Features:
👍 Under $10
👍 1,000+ Reviews
👍 NOT fragrance or alcohol-free
Nothing beats a good skincare deal and the e.l.f. Keep Your Balance Hydrating Toner strikes the perfect balance between price and benefits!
e.l.f. is more well-known for its affordable cosmetics line, but its skincare line is also worth looking at. At around $1.5 per oz., you can grab one bottle of hyaluronic acid goodness at less than $10. To be more particular, this moisturizing toner contains:
This mix helps replenish and refresh the skin and is best applied using a cotton pad as it also cleanses your face.
However, there were some complaints from users about how it stung their skin, seeing as how it has alcohol and fragrance on its ingredient list. You may want to avoid this if you have sensitive skin.
Our Verdict: Achieve hydrated skin on a budget with e.l.f. Keep Your Balance Hydrating Toner featuring sodium hyaluronate, witch hazel, glycerin, urea, and aloe vera. Just be aware that depending on your skin type, the price may be reflective of the performance.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Silky Smooth Skin
✅ Rice Toner
✅ Firmness & Elasticity
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Fermented Black Rice
⭐ Scutellaria Baicalensis
⭐ Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Beta-Glucan
Key Features:
👍 Hidden Gem
👍 82% 5-Stars
👍 NOT alcohol-free
A lot of people have rice as a staple in their diets, but did you know it can also be a staple in your skincare routine? Introducing the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner!
This hydrating toner uses 1% oryza sativa extract, which is basically fermented black rice, to enhance the firmness of the skin. It also contains scutellaria baicalensis root extract to improve skin texture and tamarindus indica seed gum to strengthen the skin barrier and improve elasticity.
Most notably, it has both hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan to restore and add moisture to the skin. Although it only has 0.02% hyaluronic acid, the other moisturizing agents go on to provide maximum hydration.
This formulation of 95% naturally derived ingredients has garnered over 400 reviews and 82% 5-stars on Amazon, which is quite impressive! Most reviews reflect that it works great on all skin types - even sensitive skin!
Its thick watery texture sinks into the skin, making it appear plump and smooth. Some even say that it helped even out their skin tone. It has become such a holy grail for several users that they even stocked up on its 10.2 oz version!
However, there have also been complaints about its fragrance, as it contains lavender oil and is not alcohol-free.
Our Verdict: Loved by Youtube gurus and casual users alike, Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner will help you achieve chok chok skin with its naturally-derived ingredients such as oryza sativa extract, scutellaria baicalensis root extract, and tamarindus indica seed gum.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ K-Beauty Secrets
✅ Moisturized & Balanced Skin
✅ Glass Skin
Key Ingredients:
⭐ 5 Layers of Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ 0.1% Bifida (Probiotic)
⭐ Panthenol
⭐ Betaine
Key Features:
👍 Toner/Ampoule Combo
👍 K-Beauty Award-Winner
👍 Incredible Ingredients
Some of the most wonderful things in life are best kept private, and the Ma:nyo Bfida Biome Ampoule Toner may just be one of South Korea’s best kept secrets.
Manyo Factory is a clean Korean brand that is not as well known in the international market. However, it has quite the following in South Korea, bagging 16 skincare awards in 2020 alone. (Manyo Factory)
In particular, the Ma:nyo Bfida Biome Ampoule Toner won in the water toner category of the Glow Pick awards. This award-winner centers its formulation of 0.1% bifida ferment filtrate and bifida ferment lysate, probiotic ingredients that help strengthen the skin’s microbiome and keep its natural flora healthy. (Paula’s Choice)
It also contains five layers of hyaluronic acid with varying sizes, although they did not specify which ones. This means that the different skin levels are kept moisturized and balanced.
Other hydrating ingredients include panthenol, betaine, xylitol, anhydroxylitol, glucose, and fructose. Lactobacillus ferment lysate then complements this by promoting cell renewal and removing dead skin cells, and allantoin is used to soothe and soften the skin.
Furthermore, it is designed as a toner AND an ampoule, making it a truly hydrating product. You can choose to apply it via cotton pads or your palms, depending on how you want to use it.
Of course, your mileage may vary, as out of over a hundred reviews on Amazon, one user complained about a break out.
Our Verdict: Get in on the best beauty secret with award-winning Ma:nyo Bfida Biome Ampoule Toner, featuring five layers of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, betaine, xylitol, anhydroxylitol, and a plethora of other hydrating ingredients.
Shop NowBest For:
✅ Scientists
✅ Skincare Enthusiasts
✅ Lab Lovers
Key Ingredients:
⭐ Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid
⭐ Botanical Extracts
⭐ Beta-Glucan
Key Features:
👍 Scientically Proven Skincare
👍 Better Skin Absorption
👍 Free Cotton Pads
Discover the wonder of science-backed skincare with The Lab Oligo Hyaluronic Acid 5000Da.
This hydrating toner contains just 15 ingredients, and 3 of these are different types of hyaluronic acid, namely:
Most toners use 1,000,000 Da (Dalton - a unit of measurement for molecules) hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes the outer layer of skin. However, The Lab Oligo uses 30% 100,000 Da and 70% 5,000 Da hyaluronic acid, which is absorbed better by and deeper into your skin.
The company conducted ten different clinical trials to see how effective this is, and their product page shows that users have significantly higher moisture levels after using this toner.
The short ingredient list also has other outstanding components, including:
However, some users found this formulation too simple, as they didn’t find it moisturizing enough for their skin.
Our Verdict: Indulge in scientifically-proven skincare with The Lab Oligo Hyaluronic Acid 5000Da and its simple yet packed formulation of low molecular weight hyaluronic acids, camellia japonica leaf extract, beta-glucan, and allantoin. At around $3 per oz, you even get free cotton pads!
Shop NowBest For:
✅ French Getaway
✅ Refreshing
✅ Soothing
Key Ingredients:
⭐ French Sea Water
⭐ Sodium Hyaluronate
⭐ Niacinamide
⭐ Ceramides
⭐ Centella Asiatica Extracts
Key Features:
👍 Gentle & Soothing
👍 More Expensive
👍 Different Types of Hyaluronic Acid
Do you ever feel as if your regimen has turned a tad too functional and technical? Breathe new life to your skin and routine with the Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics Aqualuronic Toner!
At over $5 per oz, this is the most expensive toner on this list. It utilizes the brand’s specialized triple hyaluronic complex, including low, medium, and high molecular weight hyaluronic acids. However, we are unable to identify what these are, as its ingredient list only shows “sodium hyaluronate.”
It also contains:
This hydrating toner addresses a variety of skin concerns, making it a great multi-tasker. It has around 800 reviews and 72% 5-stars on Amazon, with many reviews saying that it worked great for their eczema-prone or sensitive skin, even though it contains alcohol and fragrance.
However, several users also mentioned that it’s so gentle, it could be mistaken for just water.
Our Verdict: Boasting a lightweight formula easily absorbed by the skin, the Aesthetic Hydration Cosmetics Aqualuronic Toner uses the Korean aesthetic clinic approach to hydrate skin. It features mineral-rich French seawater, an advanced blend of hyaluronic acids with different molecular weights, and a variety of ceramides.
Shop Now
