The 5 Best Alcohol-Free Toners in the Philippines
Our Criteria for The Best Alcohol-Free Toners in the Philippines
Ingredients
We checked the formulation of each toner and assessed how safe, nourishing, and beneficial their ingredients are.
Affordability
We included products from a wide range of price points, and also considered the best products to deliver the most bang for your buck.
Scent
The presence of fragrance can make or break a product for a consumer, so we made sure to take this into consideration.
Effectiveness
Lastly, we assessed how effective the toners are in gently refreshing the skin without stripping it of its natural moisture.
1. COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
Price | Php 850 |
Net Weight | 150ml |
Key Ingredients | Mineral Water from Jeju Island, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water |
Scent | None |
Shopee Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
Lazada Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.9/5 |
Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Ingredients | 4/5 |
Affordability | 4/5 |
Scent | 5/5 |
Effectiveness | 5/5 |
Pros
- Simple formulation
- Comes in a spray bottle
- Soothes skin and preps it for other products
Cons
- Does not actively target specific skin conditions
- Pricey for its simple ingredient list
If you’ve never used a toner before and but are considering to add one to your routine, this Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner is perhaps your best bet. It’s produced by award-winning Korean brand COSRX, known for its highly effective skincare lines.
Despite it being a very simply formulated product, it does everything you would want a toner to do: soothe the skin and prep it for your next skincare products. When used alone, it can also serve as a skin refresher.
It only contains 10 ingredients in total and is scent-free. Its two key ingredients Centella Asiatica Leaf Water and mineral water from Jeju Island help to calm down inflamed red skin and give you hydrated and naturally glowy skin.
This is why we highly recommend this product for sensitive skin, or for people who want to use other skincare products with other active ingredients. But of course, what’s advantageous for some people might be a disadvantage for others.
If you’re looking to target texture, discoloration, moderate to severe acne, and other specific skin issues, then this toner might not be able to do much for you. And although it’s still on the more affordable side, we’re not sure if its simple ingredients can justify the price.
However, it’s one of the safest toners around, and we also love how it comes in a spray bottle which makes it easy to use. Overall, we think that if you have sensitive skin, the COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner is worth a try.
2. Human Nature Balancing Face Toner
Price | Php 200 |
Net Weight | 200ml |
Key Ingredients | Aloe Vera, Betaine, Oregano, Spearmint, Lemon Balm Leaf Extract |
Scent | Strong citrus scent |
Shopee Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Lazada Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 5/5 |
Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Ingredients | 5/5 |
Affordability | 5/5 |
Scent | 3/5 |
Effectiveness | 4/5 |
Pros
- 99.8% natural formulation
- Contains sugar beet and elemi to balance pH levels
- Great for combination and oily skin
Cons
- Has a strong citrus scent
- Takes time to dry
- Leaves a sticky film on the face
Next up, we have a Balancing Face Toner from the brand Human Nature. Human Nature is a homegrown brand that develops high-quality, natural products that suit Filipino skin well.
The brand has hydrating, nourishing, and acne-fighting variants of this product as well, but the Human Nature Balancing Face Toner is specifically catered towards oily and combination skin types.
So if you’re having trouble battling enlarged pores, blackheads, and excess shine, or if some parts of your face are too dry or too oily, this toner will help balance your pH level to cut down on those skin problems.
This toner contains sugar beet and elemi, ingredients that are known to balance sebum, eliminate bacteria, and reduce skin redness as well. It also has a 99.8% natural formula, so also won’t strip your skin dry or sting when you apply it.
Despite the product receiving stellar reviews on both Shopee and Lazada, we still find that there are two cons you should be aware of before purchasing.
First, it has a very strong citrus scent that can be too much for someone who dislikes fragrance in skincare. Second, it can take quite a bit of time to dry, and also leaves a sticky film on your face, which can be a hassle if you’re running late or if you need it underneath makeup.
Nonetheless, the Human Nature Balancing Face Toner is an extremely affordable choice for those with combination and oily skin. Of course, make sure to patch test before fully using the product, especially if you have moderate to severe acne.
3. Celeteque Dermo Science Hydration Toner
Price | Php 136 |
Net Weight | 125ml |
Key Ingredients | Witch Hazel, Glycerin, Panthenol |
Scent | Mild cosmetic scent |
Shopee Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Lazada Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.95/5 |
Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Ingredients | 4/5 |
Affordability | 5/5 |
Scent | 4/5 |
Effectiveness | 4/5 |
Pros
- Contains Witch Hazel to calm irritated skin
- Most affordable option
Cons
- Contains Dmdm Hyadantoin
- Not very hydrating
The Celeteque Dermo Science Hydration Toner is another option for those with sensitive to dry skin. Similar to the COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner, it focuses on calming and removing the last traces of dirt for clear skin.
What we love about it is that it’s dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and cruelty-free. It also claims to have no harsh scent – and true enough, we only noticed a mild cosmetic scent from the product.
As for ingredients, it contains Witch Hazel, Glycerin, and Panthenol as its star ingredients. Witch Hazel works wonders for irritated skin, and Glycerin and Panthenol are both amazing moisturizers and humectants.
On the flip side, contains Dmdm Hyadantoin, which essentially fights against bacteria and contains mild fungicide abilities. These benefits sound amazing, but Dmdm Hyadantoin is an icky preservative that can be a potential skin issue trigger for some people.
Additionally, it’s marketed as a “hydration toner” – but ironically, it’s not a very hydrating one. Instead, we find that it functions more as a cleansing toner that you can use after your initial face wash.
That said, if you have sensitive to dry skin, the Celeteque Dermo Science Hydration Toner is a product that can provide an additional cleanse for squeaky clean and toned skin. It’s also the most affordable option on this list, so it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.
4. I’M FROM Rice Toner
Price | Php 1,460 |
Net Weight | 150ml |
Key Ingredients | Rice Extract, Niacinamide, Japanese Elm Bark Extract |
Scent | None |
Shopee Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Lazada Reviews Score | 5/5 |
Total Reviews | 5/5 |
Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Ingredients | 5/5 |
Affordability | 3/5 |
Scent | 5/5 |
Effectiveness | 5/5 |
Pros
- Gentle and lightweight
- A little goes a long way
- Gives you a glass skin finish
Cons
- Most expensive entry
- Doesn’t target advanced skin issues
The I’M FROM Rice Toner is a product that very much deserves the hype that it gets. It’s made by the Korean beauty brand I’M FROM, which sources pure ingredients from honest and ethical farmers to ensure quality and safe products.
Rice extract or rice water has been used in most Asian cultures for ages, and the brand I’M FROM has integrated this skincare tradition into this special product.
It’s a dual-function toner that contains 77% Goami rice extracts cultivated in Yeoju. This ingredient brightens the skin, boosts elasticity, moisturizes and nourishes to keep the skin balanced, and fights signs of aging.
We love how gentle and scent-free the toner is, so it’s perfect for people with extra-sensitive skin. It has a milky consistency that feels lightweight on the skin, so it’s also suitable for use under makeup and heavier skincare products.
Although it’s the most expensive entry on our list, a little goes a long way and a bottle is sure to last you around four to six months. And similar to the COSRX Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner, it’s not the type of product that targets specific skin problems.
But if you’re willing to splurge for a lightweight toner that’s formulated with only the best ingredients, then look no further than the I’M FROM Rice Toner.
5. Thayers Original Witch Hazel Toner
Price | Php 695 |
Net Weight | 355ml |
Key Ingredients | Organic Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Glycerin |
Scent | Mild Witch Hazel scent |
Shopee Reviews Score | 4.9/5 |
Watsons Reviews Score | 4.3/5 |
Total Reviews | 4.6/5 |
Score Consistency | 5/5 |
Ingredients | 5/5 |
Affordability | 4/5 |
Scent | 4/5 |
Effectiveness | 4/5 |
Pros
- Calms down acne and inflammation
- Contains Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera
- Affordable and lasts a long time
Cons
- Contains added fragrance
- Does not leave a moisturizing layer on the skin
The Thayers Original Witch Hazel Toner has become a holy grail product in the skincare community, especially for people combating acne and inflammation. According to Thayers, this toner is a natural treatment that cleans, heals, and preserves the skin.
It is formulated with key ingredients Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera, which are great for oily and acne-prone skin. Both can calm and heal troubled skin and deliver moisture without being too much.
It also contains Glycerin, which is a natural moisturizer that’s also in our skin, and Phenoxyethanol, which is a safe and gentle preservative. Another ingredient we like is Citric acid, which is an AHA that can act as a mild exfoliant.
Although the product already contains organic Witch Hazel, do note that the brand has included Witch Hazel fragrance in the product, which is a bit of a letdown for people who prefer to avoid any artificial fragrances in skincare.
The product also doesn’t leave a layer of hydration on your face. Instead, you’ll see that it will remove dirt and any residue left behind after cleansing, similar to the Celeteque Dermo Science Hydration Toner.
That said, it’s an excellent choice for normal and combination skin types who struggle with breakouts here and there. We also love that it’s relatively affordable and also lasts for a long time.