A toner can do much more than simply sit between cleansing and serum. Some formulas gently smooth uneven texture, others focus on hydration and radiance, while richer essences can make dry or sensitive skin feel noticeably more comfortable.

These three options are a good example of how different that one skincare step can look.

EQQUALBERRY Swimming Pool Toner

Price: around €17.11

Rating: 4.7/5

This is the option I would look at first if skin texture is your biggest annoyance. EQQUALBERRY Swimming Pool Toner combines moisture-focused ingredients with gentle exfoliating action, so it aims to smooth without giving that harsh, stripped feeling associated with stronger acid toners.

Its formula includes multiple forms of hyaluronic acid alongside panthenol and allantoin, which helps explain why it feels more soothing and hydrating than a traditional exfoliating toner. The brand also includes a five-berry complex designed to support antioxidant care and a brighter-looking complexion.

The texture is light enough for regular use, and it makes sense for anyone who wants pores and uneven texture to appear less noticeable while still keeping hydration high. Think polished rather than aggressively exfoliated.

I'm From Rice Toner

Price: around €15.95

Rating: 4.9/5

If your skin tends to look dull, dehydrated or simply a little tired, I'm From Rice Toner takes a softer approach. The formula contains 77.78% rice extract together with niacinamide and is designed to moisturise while supporting a brighter, more even-looking complexion.

It has that milky, comforting texture that feels particularly nice when your skin needs something more substantial than a watery toner but you are not ready for a rich cream. After application, the finish is hydrated and softly luminous rather than greasy.

This one also layers beautifully. You can apply a single light layer in the morning or pat on a little more when your skin feels particularly dry. It is the kind of toner that makes the rest of a routine feel smoother without trying to be the loudest product on the shelf.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

Price: around €12.89

Rating: 4.8/5

Technically, this is an essence rather than a toner — but it fits naturally into the same stage of a routine. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence is the richest and most barrier-focused option of the three.

The formula combines fermented black rice with probiotic ingredients and is intended to provide deeper hydration while supporting the skin barrier. It has a milky, fluid consistency that feels especially suited to dry, sensitive or compromised skin.

Instead of chasing instant exfoliation or a dramatic glow, this one is more about making skin feel comfortable, soft and resilient. If your face often feels tight after cleansing or becomes easily irritated when you use too many active products, this is the formula I would reach for.

Which One Fits Your Routine?

The choice really depends on what your skin is asking for. EQQUALBERRY is the texture-focused option, I'm From delivers that hydrated rice-toner glow, and Haruharu Wonder is the comforting choice when barrier support matters most.

And sometimes that is the trick with toner: rather than asking whether you “need” one, it is more useful to ask what you want that extra step to actually do.