10 Best Exfoliating Toners in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Dermatologist

Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila, and is the face behind Ask Your Derma.

She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz, is not affiliated with, nor is she endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period.**

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide. For ranks 1 to 3, in addition to the buying guide, we also referred to more than 100 reviews in Lazada to come up with their respective rankings.

We have more product recommendations in store for you! Listed in no particle order, here are seven more of our recommended products carefully chosen by the mybest team.

The skin naturally exfoliates after 28 to 30 days, but sometimes the skin needs a bit of help to keep the pores from being clogged. A great and gentle way to exfoliate is by using exfoliating toners. They consist of acids that are non-abrasive, resulting in a healthy, beautiful glow. 

With the right concentration and combination of acids, they can even penetrate even the multiple layers of your skin. These exfoliating toners are also well-formulated with other ingredients to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores, brighten dark spots, to name a few.

There are other ways to exfoliate your skin, such as chemical peels, scrubs, and sponges. However, some of these alternatives can be too harsh on your skin. For instance, scrubs can be rough or have a coarse texture, so if you have sensitive skin, it may harm the surface of the face's skin.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Choose chemical exfoliants that can help solve your skin problems.
   
2. Look for ingredients that can provide additional benefits.
   

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

If you plan to include an exfoliating toner in your skincare routine, here are the important things to consider based on your skin type. Exfoliating toners aren’t formulated the same, so make sure you also know the active ingredients in the bottle.

Exfoliating toners are formulated with acids, such as glycolic acid, malic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid, which are both AHAs or (Alpha Hydroxy Acids). These two superstar ingredients are beneficial for combination to dry skin. They reduce fine lines and wrinkles, brighten the skin, and eliminate dark spots from sun damage. AHAs are less likely to irritate the skin with the right dose. 

Salicylic acid is the most common BHA or Beta Hydroxy Acid ingredient used in exfoliating toners. This is the gold standard in treating acne and other skin problems like whiteheads and blackheads. It can penetrate your skin's surface and pores, which can prevent breakouts and blackheads. 

Moreover, salicylic acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which effectively treat rosacea and regulate sebum production. BHAs also target sun discoloration and improve overall skin texture. Look for concentrations of about 0.5% to 2% BHA solutions if you want to treat acne, blemishes, and clogged pores. 

Although not a BHA, another ingredient to consider is witch hazel, recommended by dermatologists ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It's a natural astringent with anti-inflammatory powers that can relieve dry and irritated skin. Go for alcohol-free exfoliating toners, especially if you plan to use them regularly.

PHAs or Polyhydroxy Acids are exfoliators that repair the skin, remove dead skin cells, and have anti-aging benefits. Some examples are gluconolactone, galactose, and lactoionic acid. They are recommended for all skin types, but sensitive skin will benefit significantly from these because they are more gentle than AHAs and BHAs. 

PHAs are gentle on the skin because they have large molecules, which penetrate slowly into the skin. On top of that, they are also humectants, which means they also retain moisture on your skin. They can also combat glycation, a process that weakens your skin’s elasticity and collagen.

Exfoliating toners do not only contain exfoliants! Some contain good-for-the-skin nourishing ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and more! Read the section below to find out more!

If you have dull skin, look for exfoliating toners that have active ingredients like vitamin C and vitamin A, antioxidant skin superstars that brighten your skin, and are beneficial for those who have uneven skin tone. Kojic acid, Panax ginseng, and glutathione also have skin brightening benefits and target dark spots, sun damage, and scars.

You may also want to look for ingredients to address hyperpigmentation—AHAs, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, and also niacinamide, a well-known humectant that can reduce dark spots. Azelaic acid, a not-so-distant acid to AHAs and BHAs, also has a "magical" skin-lightening effect.

Look for exfoliating toners that are alcohol-free because alcohol can dry your skin. If you already have dry skin, look for moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide to strengthen the skin's barrier and soothing effects. Aloe vera extract is beneficial for the skin as a natural ingredient - ideal for improving skin hydration.

Avoid toners that have sulfates and dyes, which can also exacerbate dryness. While glycolic acid is recommended for oily skin, it’s also a humectant, which can help retain moisture on your skin.

Mature skin tends to be dry, dull and may have a rough texture and dark spots. Since AHAs have anti-aging properties aside from their ability to remove dead skin cells, look for exfoliants formulated with these acids and other active ingredients like green tea extract. It also has moisturizing powers and can reduce skin roughness. 

Humectants are also beneficial for this type of skin, so toners with niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid are the best bet. Overall, since this type of skin can also be sensitive, go for gentle exfoliants and formulations with the right amount of concentration of acids.

Acid toners address different skin concerns and needs. They are also formulated with different acid solutions and active ingredients. While you might read some reviews claiming that the product worked for them, your skin might not respond the same to that product. So, before you dip your toes into the acids, take note of these tips.

Tips:

1. For beginners, use AHAs every other day and work up your way gradually for daily application until your skin gets used to it.
2. Caution for everyone: if you apply AHAs like glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, malic acid, which are common in skincare products, in the morning, use sunscreen with SPF 30 broad-spectrum to avoid burning. At best, use the exfoliating toner at night. Check the instructions on how to apply the product.
3. If you're allergic to aspirin, you might want to steer away from salicylic acid as this acid is a salicylate, which is a closer relative to aspirin.
4. Don't mix retinoids or retinol products with glycolic acid and salicylic acid because it may result in dryness and irritation. Try using these items every other day, but not on the same day for layerings. 

Before you slather on that exfoliating toner on your face, read Dr. Katrina's answers to some of the internet's most asked questions!

Different skin types can benefit from an exfoliating toner. The key lies in identifying the right one. Another equally important consideration is what your skin concern is and choosing the toner that addresses it!

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to skincare. We cannot predict the reaction of everyone to a particular product. While there are some people with sensitive skin who will both benefit from and tolerate exfoliating toners, there are some who might not too! At the end of the day, listen to your skin! Also, Ask Your Derma for guidance too!

Remember, toners aren't a must in any skincare routine. They are great add-ons, especially if you have a particular skin concern that can be addressed by such. Based on that premise having more than one exfoliating toner may not be beneficial. In fact, it may even increase the chances of your skin developing irritation. Sometimes, less is more!

Are toners a must? The answer is actually no. But exploring the world of toners can be an interesting endeavor, not to mention it does have its benefits. Always listen to your skin!

Because sharing is caring, here are some of the skincare products our specialists have reviewed so far. Achieve that glass skin look and explore the best skincare items that fit your needs and budget. Click the links below for more buying guides and product recommendations.

Exfoliation should be done regularly if you want to maintain healthy and radiant skin. We hope that you have found the one that matches your skin type. If you are just starting, make sure you buy a low concentration of acid solutions or opt for active ingredients made of natural extracts. Glowing skin makes for a happier you!

Author: Maria Krisette Capati

Reviewed by: Dr. Katrina Erika Habaluyas Luz

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Curious to know how we chose the products on our list? Our buying guide was carefully crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, so we used it as a basis for choosing and rating. For the top 3 product recommendations, we also looked at reviews from Lazada in addition to the buying guide.

*Please note that we did not test the products and were not paid by any of the brands to include their product on the list.

Ratings and Reviews

For each product on the top 3, we looked at and referenced more than 100 reviews, as well as product ratings in Lazada.

Choose Chemical Exfoliants That Can Help Solve Your Skin Problems

There is a wide variety of exfoliating toners available nowadays, and they all target different skin concerns. We looked at the products' ingredients list and the brands' claims, as well as reviews from different sources, and gave a higher rating if the majority of the reviews support and back up the brands' claims.

Look for Ingredients That Can Provide Additional Benefits 

For this criterion, we also looked at reviews to see whether the skin of the users reacted positively to or benefited from the product. If so, we gave those products a higher rating.