Do Toners Really Work? We Consulted the Experts

Though there are many different opinions as to whether or not toners are necessary and what the actual definition of toner is, all skin-care experts agree that there is one ingredient to avoid when considering toners: alcohol.

Shelger, Rogers, Nakra, and Shah all specifically made a point to tell me that while there are many ingredients that work in toners, they highly advise picking up one that is alcohol-free. Rogers says, "[Alcohol] should be avoided, as it dries out the skin, causes irritation, and inhibits the skin's ability to heal itself."