What’s the purpose of a face toner for the skin?

Toner has come a long way since the drying, alcohol-heavy astringents of the early 2000s. Today’s toners are a gentle, hydrating, and even glow-giving step that’s having a major resurgence thanks to dewy skin tutorials and minimalist routines.

Here we take a closer look as to how this skincare product works, why you need it and how to find the best face toner for your skin.

Toner is a fast-absorbing liquid designed to be used after cleansing and before moisturising. It helps to refine the skin’s surface, remove any remaining traces of makeup or cleanser residue, and prepare your skin to better absorb the next products in your routine.

Modern toners are no longer just about “tightening” or “shrinking pores” – they now serve a variety of skin goals, from calming sensitivity to enhancing glow or targeting pigmentation.

Toner is step two in your skincare routine – and it’s more important than you might think.

Even after a thorough cleanse, skin can still hold onto traces of makeup, sunscreen, or the cleanser itself. This leftover residue may clog pores, throw off your skin’s pH balance, or interfere with the absorption of your next steps – especially serums and moisturisers.

That’s why toner is such a vital step. A well-formulated facial toner helps remove any remaining impurities, balances the skin, and primes it for better results from your skincare products.

Simply apply generously over clean skin, then pat gently with clean hands to help it absorb. For a deeper cleanse, follow with a reusable cotton pad to wipe away any leftover residue.

The benefits of toner include:

• Removing leftover cleanser and debris
• Restoring optimal pH after washing
• Hydrating and prepping the skin
• Improving absorption of serums and moisturisers
• Refreshing the skin throughout the day

Whether your toner is misted or swept on, it’s a non-negotiable step for clean, balanced, and hydrated skin.

How to apply toner:

SPRITZ
Hydrating mists like Ananda H₂O Ultra-Hydrating Calming Mist can be spritzed directly onto the face, neck, and décolletage.

POUR AND PRESS
Liquid toners like Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner can be poured into your palm and pressed into the skin or swept on with a reusable cotton pad.

For best results, apply toner within 60 seconds of cleansing to lock in moisture and maximise benefits from the rest of your routine.

Not all toners are the same. There are two main types of toners: hydrating and active.

Hydrating toners are often mist-based and designed to soothe and replenish the skin. They’re perfect for dry, sensitive, or stressed skin types.

Active toners tend to be more liquid and are packed with performance ingredients like AHAs, peptides, and vitamin C to brighten skin, fade pigmentation, or refine skin texture.

Antipodes offer both, made from clean, natural, scientifically validated ingredients – and no drying alcohols.

• Choose Ananda if your skin feels sensitive, dry, or dehydrated – or if you love the convenience of a mist you can keep in your handbag.
• Choose Glory if your skincare goal is glow – or if you’re targeting dark spots, pigmentation, or dullness with active ingredients like vitamin C and AHAs.

And yes – you can use both. Just be sure to patch-test first if your skin is very sensitive.

A certified organic toner for sensitive, dehydrated, or stressed skin. If your skin feels tight, dry, or irritated – especially after cleansing – this ultra-gentle mist is for you. Certified organic, and dermatologically approved for sensitive skin*, Ananda H₂O Ultra-Hydrating Calming Mist delivers a cooling, comforting layer of moisture that soothes while priming skin for the rest of your routine.

Key ingredients:

• Mamaku black fern – a native botanical from New Zealand to revitalise and refresh, globally adored for its skin-loving benefits.
• Raspberry seed oil – rich in omegas and antioxidants to soften and protect.
• Aloe vera & marsh mallow – to calm irritation and redness.

Lightly scented with Bulgarian rose, this spray toner can be used anytime your skin needs a drink – before serum, after makeup, or whenever you’re flying, sun-exposed, or sitting in drying air-conditioning.

How to use: Spritz over face, neck, and décolletage. Use morning and night, or throughout the day for a hydration boost.

An active toner to target pigmentation, dullness, and signs of ageing. For those seeking visible glow, even skin tone, and support against dark spots signs of ageing, this toner goes beyond the basics. Glory is a powerhouse formula that harnesses three high-performance actives typically reserved for serums – all in one refreshing, vegan formula to combat dullness.

Key ingredients:

• Kakadu plum – 100x the vitamin C of oranges to brighten and protect against free radical damage.
• Melanostatine™ 5 peptides – to help reduce pigmentation by blocking melanin production.
• Lime caviar – a natural AHA that gently exfoliates, promotes cell renewal, and boosts radiance.

With its fig and feijoa fragrance and certified vegan status, Glory is suitable for all skin types – especially dull or uneven complexions. 

How to use:
Pour into your palm and press into skin, or sweep across the face with a reusable cotton pad to remove final traces of cleanser and prep for serum.

With so many skincare liquids out there, it’s easy to get confused. You might have seen ‘toner’ and ‘tonic’ used in similar products – spoiler alert: they’re often used interchangeably.

• Toner is used after cleansing to prep the skin and deliver hydration or active ingredients. Toners today are much gentler than they used to be – hydrating, balancing, and designed to enhance the rest of your skincare.
• Tonic is an older term, traditionally used for astringent, alcohol-based formulas aimed at oily or acne-prone skin. Most modern brands (including Antipodes) prefer ‘toner’ to reflect a gentler, more skin-loving approach.
• Mist refers to the format – not the function. A mist can be a toner (like Ananda H₂O), a setting spray, or simply a refreshing facial spray.
• Essence is typically a thicker consistency, packed with actives to target specific skin concerns.

Ultimately, it’s less about the name and more about the formula. The right toner – whether mist or liquid – should feel good on your skin and deliver results.