Finding the Best Toner For Rosacea
People with rosacea know that the journey of finding the best toner for rosacea is not easy. Rosacea skin is usually quite irritated and red, so the idea of applying toner to it might sound odd at first. If you think this way, then it’s time to get educated about toners that do miracles on rosacea skin.
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Finding A Gentle Toner for Rosacea
The key is finding a toner for rosacea skin with natural and nourishing ingredients. A perfect, gentle toner for rosacea contains ingredients such as rose water, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid. These toners hydrate the skin while restoring its pH balance so that the skin is ready for makeup application, like rosacea cover up, followed by a good rosacea sunscreen.
Avoiding Certain Toners For Rosacea Prone Skin
The first thing you should avoid in your toners is alcohol. You should also avoid toners with fragrance because fragrances cause a volatile reaction on the skin. Because rosacea skin is so sensitive, that reaction will become visible in the form of redness.

photo by lionel abrial
Applying The Toner
After washing your face, put a few drops of toner on a cotton pad and gently pat the toner on the face. Don’t rub the toner down since this will create friction and redness. Wait one minute until the toner dries and apply some moisturizer.
The Four Best Toners for Rosacea
Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist
This toner was created in the South Australian hills by a biochemist and a botanist. Many of the ingredients are extracted from their herbs and flowers.
The reason why I love this toner for rosacea prone skin is because it balances combination skin and it has some fantastic, natural ingredients. Rosa gallica flower extract calms the skin, marshmallow root extract hydrates while the grapefruit seed extract kills the bacteria.
Many women love mist toners because they’re easy to use. This toner has a pump which evenly distributes the product. Because it's convenient and doesn't require any other items such as cotton pads, you can easily use it on the go.
You can use this toner as a setting spray, especially if you’re looking for a dewy skin finish. It's also an excellent product for refreshing your makeup during the day because the mist will give your skin some much-needed moisture. I recommend that you use it twice a day so that your skin stays in balance.
Women who prefer using beauty products with natural ingredients regard this toner as the best toner for acne rosacea skin. Rose water soothes irritated skin, reduces skin redness and it contains antioxidants (Healthline.com). Because of that, dermatologists highly recommend using products with rose water on acne rosacea skin.
This toner is an excellent option for all skin types: oily, sensitive, dry, and normal. Rosacea is quite uncommon on teenage skin, so teenagers who actually have this skin condition often struggle with finding a great toner. Many dermatologists recommend using this toner on teenage skin because of its calming effects.
The packaging of this toner is compact and simple which is why I love using it on the go. Whenever I have a long day, I carry this toner in my bag. I'm able to refresh my tired skin and it gives my rosacea skin much-needed moisture.
This toner helps to restore skin’s ideal pH balance and it’s able to absorb excess oils without drying out the skin.
If you’re looking for the best drugstore toner for rosacea, then this is the one. The simplicity of the formula is what motivates people to try it out. Also, it’s an inexpensive alternative to high-end toners.
Many people consider this toner to be the number-one best face toner for rosacea because of its non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and alcohol-free characteristics. Its especially great because your skin doesn’t feel tight after using it.
The packaging of this toner is compact and simple which is why I love using it on the go. Whenever I have a long day, I carry this toner in my bag. I'm able to refresh my tired skin and it gives my rosacea skin much-needed moisture.
This toner helps to restore skin’s ideal pH balance and it’s able to absorb excess oils without drying out the skin.
Finding a toner for rosacea prone skin can be frustrating at times because so many products claim to be designed for rosacea skin, yet they are not. This is not the case with this toner. It's made to be extremely hydrating and best suited for dry, flaky skin.
The reason why it's so widely used for rosacea skin is because it gives you the much-needed moisture. It recovers the skin with skin-defending antioxidants, skin-restoring ingredients and essential lipids. People often talk about the great effects that this toner has during the night when it repairs the skin damage caused by environmental stress.
It’s often regarded as the best toner for rosacea skin because it contains calming, natural ingredients for skin such as glycerine, borage seed oil, vitamin E and vitamin C. These ingredients help balance the skin and improve other skin issues that you may have.
Best Toner To Use During A Rosacea Flare-up
Some toners provide better help than others during a flare-up. Many women agree that it's best to use a mist toner during those days. Using mists will help with dry patches, so it's a good idea to spray dry areas with this mist and then cover them with foundation.
Ingredients To Look For In a Toner for Rosacea
Sadly, not all advertised rosacea-friendly toners are actually good for rosacea. This is why you should know which ingredients to look for. You should be using products that don't strip away our body’s natural oils.
Look for a toner for rosacea skin which also has moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, rose water and vitamins C & E. Even if the toner contains harsh ingredients such as vinegar, the drying effect of those ingredients can easily be counteracted by the above mentioned nourishing ingredients.
Tips On Combining Rosacea Toner With Other Skin Products
- It’s a great idea to apply toner over the skin after using a nourishing face wash because it helps to lock-in that extra layer of moisture for a longer period of time.
- If you want an extra moisture boost for your rosacea skin, you should use a serum as well. A good serum is able to get deep into your skin really quickly because it doesn't have sealing properties that a toner has. Two great options from Baré Cosmetics (Barealchemy.com) are the Soothe Serum for Dry and Sensitive Skin and the Protect Serum for Normal Skin. The diverse characteristics of these two products make them a perfect combo for rosacea skin.
Watch this YouTube video by a dermatologist Dr. Dray if you want to know why she recommends using certain products more than others on rosacea skin. For example, she strongly advises people to always apply rosacea sunscreen.
What If I Get A Rash From Using A Toner?
Rashes caused by toners often occur when people don’t choose the appropriate toner for their rosacea skin or when their skin is getting used to a change in pH. If that happens, you should stop using the toner immediately and gently rinse your skin with cool water.
Experts from The Australasian College of Dermatologists suggest combining topical products such as metronidazole cream or topical azelaic acid with oral treatments such as doxycycline or erythromycin. Always consult your doctor before using these treatments.
Are Very Expensive Rosacea Toners Worth It?
This depends on what you’re looking for in a rosacea toner. Some toners are able to give your rosacea skin all of the essential nourishing ingredients. In those cases, it might be worth it to invest in an expensive toner.
However, some drugstores also have high-quality toners that contain the natural, soothing ingredients your rosacea skin needs. Regardless of the price, just make sure to check the ingredients label and stay away from any product that contains alcohol.
Conclusion
In an attempt to find the best toners for rosacea, many women go through a large number of toners until they find 'the one' for them. When you're shopping for your toner, remember to only search for gentle toners and completely avoid alcohol-based toners.
Most toners are applied with a cotton pad while using gentle patting movements. Some toners are mists so no other products are needed for their application. These mist toners are great to use during a flare-up because you don't have to touch your skin to apply them.
Regardless of your skin condition, there are many options for toners that will work best for you. However, if you suffer from rosacea or redness you should always look for a toner for rosacea prone skin with ingredients such as aloe vera, rose water, and vitamins C and E.
As with any new skin care product, start slowly to see how your skin will react. With a little trial and error, you’ll find a gentle toner for rosacea that nourishes your skin and leaves it feeling fresh and healthy.