Hydrosol or Toner? Choosing the best one for your skin...

person angelina swanson
calendar_today Oct 09, 2025
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Finding the right toner can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.

First, let's talk about why we use facial toners.

We see this step as a moment of connection, a way to bring your skin back into balance after cleansing and prepare it to receive all the nourishment that follows. Here are some important benefits of toners and hydrosols:

1. Balancing the skin's natural pH

This is one of the main reasons to use a toner or hydrosol in your daily skincare routine. The basic (alkaline) pH of many cleansers actually helps in the cleansing process by dissolving the fatty acids and oils in sebum, sweat, dirt and makeup that naturally repel water. The trade-off is that the skin itself is naturally slightly acidic, so overly basic cleansers can strip too much of the natural acid mantle, leaving our skin dry, tight or more sensitive.

2. Hydration: A good toner adds a light layer of moisture, essential after cleansing.

3. Soothes and calms: Especially hydrosols, which gently comfort sensitive or irritated skin.

4. Tones and refines: Helps unclog pores and create a smoother surface.

5. Delivers botanical benefits: Provides nutrients, antioxidants, brightens and firms skin.

When you choose a formula with ingredients that truly support and nurture your skin, every drop feels like it was made just for you, working in harmony with your unique skin. Let's get into it!

Let's talk first about the difference between Facial Toners and Hydrosols

We offer both! Facial toners and hydrosols may seem similar, but they work a bit differently. Toners are blended formulas designed to balance pH, remove impurities, and prepare the skin for leave on products like nourishing masks, serums and moisturizers. Hydrosols, while gentler, can also balance and tone the skin, offering hydration and plant-based nutrients in their purest form. In short, toners refine, while hydrosols restore and harmonize. Because hydrosols are made of one ingredient - the steam distillate of one plant - they can be great for very sensitive skin because you don't have to worry about having a reaction to one or more of several ingredients.

So, how do you choose the right toner or hydrosol for your unique skin?

Here are a few guidelines to help you make an educated choice.

Know your skin type (take our skin type quiz here)

Know which ingredients to look for

Glycerin: Great for hydrating dry skin and plumping fine lines, our natural vegetable glycerine softens the astringency of astringent ingredients like witch hazel.

BHAs- Salicylic & Glycolic Acids: Ideal for oily or acne-prone skin, as they help to unclog pores and reduce breakouts. Willow Bark is a natural, gentler source of salicylic acid that we have included in the effective, yet gentle Yarrow & Willow Bark BHA Toner.

Witch Hazel is one of our favorite toner ingredients. A natural astringent, it effectively removes dirt, sweat, oil and makeup residue while opening up clogged pores. Our witch hazel is sustainably wild harvested and steam distilled right here in Oregon.

Aloe Vera soothes and calms sensitive skin while providing hydration. It's rich in vitamins and minerals and calms, cools and soothes the skin. Ours is organically grown and carefully harvested in the USA. You’ll find it in our Lavender & Aloe Facial Toner.

Licorice Root is a great skin-soothing antioxidant-rich extract that both brightens and and calms irritated skin. We add this powerful ingredient to the Yarrow & Willow Bark BHA Toner to brighten acne scars and calm down the redness and swelling of active blemishes.

Best toners by skin type:

Oily & Combination Skin

Skin Types 1, 2, 3

Oily & Combination Skin: Toners for oily skin should aim to control excess oil production without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. Seek out formulas with ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, willow bark and witch hazel. An exfoliating toner can help to regulate oil production and minimize the appearance of pores, leaving your skin feeling thoroughly cleansed and refreshed.

Balanced Skin

Skin Types 4, 5, 6
If your skin is fairly balanced, neither too oily or too dry most days, you can play with using different types of toners and hydrosols. You may want to avoid ones specifically designed for oily skin, as that may dry it out. Our Lavender & Aloe Facial Toner is a good choice. If you also have some sun damage , reach for the Bulgarian Rose Hydrosol. If you skin is sensitive, that's a good choice, or give the Frankincense Hydrosol a try.

Dry Skin

Skin Types 7, 8

Look for toners that focus on hydrating and nourishing the skin. Opt for alcohol-free formulas to avoid further drying out your skin. A hydrating hydrosol can help replenish moisture levels and leave your skin feeling refreshed.

Sensitive Skin

Skin Types 6, 7

For sensitive skin, it's essential to choose a toner that is free from harsh ingredients and fragrances. Opt for alcohol-free and fragrance-free formulas that focus on soothing and calming the skin. A gentle, alcohol-free toner infused with ingredients like chamomile extract and calendula can help soothe irritation and redness, leaving your skin feeling calm and comfortable. Our gentlest toner at aos is the Bulgarian Rose Hydrosol. It has only one ingredient, 100% pure steam distilled Bulgarian rose hydrosol.

bulgarian rose hydrosol

Dry, Sun Damaged & Aging Skin

Skin Type 8

This skin type sounds a little ominous, but it's actually very common. As we age, we are accumulating sun damage and because our hormones are shifting, our skin begins to produce less oil. To both brighten and tone up the skin, we recommend the Frankincense Hydrosol. Frankincense is known for its skin regenerating qualities, tones and firms sagging skin and stimulates collagen production.

Frankincense Hydrosol Soothing & Regenerative Facial Mist

How to introduce a new toner into your routine

Whenever you introduce a new product into your skincare routine, it is best to patch test the new product before applying them to your entire face, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Remember to follow up with a serum and moisturizer to feed your skin essential nutrients, lock in hydration and protect it from the elements.

By understanding your skin's needs and selecting a toner with the right ingredients, you can effectively balance, hydrate and nourish your skin.