Amongst all the skin concerns, hyperpigmentation is one condition that can really feel difficult to deal with. It occurs due to prolonged sun exposure, aging, inflammation, skin injuries, and hormonal imbalances and manifests as uneven skin tone, dark patches, and darkening of the skin. While dealing with these pesky issues might seem daunting at first, having the best toners for hyperpigmentation can help you solve these, effortlessly. 

Toner, one of the most loved skincare products has a liquid consistency and is often infused with skin-nourishing goodies to remove oil and traces of dirt, seal up the pores after cleansing, refresh the skin, and help your skin absorb other products more effectively. When it comes to dealing with hyperpigmentation, choosing the right toner can help you a great deal. 

After gathering a lot of data about hyperpigmentation as well as testing toners, our skincare experts concluded that the best toner for uneven skin tone is the one that packs the goodness of vitamins, glycolic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, etc., while also being lightweight. With a plethora of products out there claiming to make your skin ‘even-toned’ in a jiffy, our experts took the responsibility to test out different ones, bringing you only the very best. You can even pair these toners with the best serums for hyperpigmentation to get quick results. Along with that, we have for you a detailed guide on how to get the best toner for discoloration  — you’ll be able to achieve flawless skin. Let’s get started!

• 1
  Best Overall

  Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

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Our skincare experts crowned this the best toner for all skin types because of its gentle formulation that smoothes the skin with ease. Inspired by the Korean Aqua Peel Facial, this award-winning toner not only hydrates the skin but also exfoliates it gently without stripping the skin of its natural oils. The unique blend of hydrating and pore-tightening ingredients minimizes pores, giving your skin a natural glow. Free of harsh chemicals like mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic dyes, this is truly a clean formulation that supports the healthy barrier of the skin. 

Customers love the scent and feel of this toner, saying it moisturizes parched skin and smells heavenly. A happy customer writes, “ This stuff feels very refreshing on my face and smells like watermelon.”

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, cactus water, PHA, BHA, hyaluronic acid, tea tree extract, and cucumber 

Skin Type: Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal

Product Benefits: Pore treatment 

Size: 1.35 fl oz.

2

Best Lightweight Formula

Peach Slices Snail Rescue Blemish Busting Toner

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Crafted with celebrated K-beauty ingredients, cica, and snail mucin, this toner from Peach Slices is one of the best Korean toners for hyperpigmentation. These two ingredients work synergistically to clear pores, soothe skin redness, hydrate, and promote a healthy skin barrier. What’s more noteworthy about the product is that it’s Leaping-Bunny certified, meaning no animals were harmed during the testing phase! Moreover, the formula is devoid of filler ingredients that keep the skin supple and smooth. 

Key Ingredients: Snail mucin, hyaluronic acid

Skin Type: Dry, normal, oily

Product Benefits: Hydrates and exfoliates the skin

Size: 4.05 oz

Quick Tip:

Apply the toner using a fresh cotton pad after cleansing your skin, then follow up with the rest of your skincare routine. Make sure to avoid contact with eyes.

3

Best for Skin Inflammation

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner

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Fortified with niacinamide — a holy grail of skincare has proven efficacy in improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and red blotchiness (study published in the NCBI) — this toner from Good Molecules does wonders in making skin healthier and smoother. Be it enlarged pores, dull skin, or signs of aging — it helps get rid of all skin woes without disturbing its natural barrier. Our experts loved how it smoothly melted into their skin, revealing smoother and softer skin instantly. Plus, it’s vegan and has a pH-balancing formula that adds to the reasons why you should add it to your cart now!

Key Ingredients:  Niacinamide, arbutin, and licorice root extract

Skin Type: All skin types

Product Benefits: Brightening

Size: 4 fl oz.

4

Best pH-balancing Formula

ACWELL Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

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Packed with the goodness of licorice water, green tea, and peony flower extract, this is a remarkable Korean toner for hyperpigmentation as it delivers amazing results in exfoliating dead skin cells and balancing all types of skin. It calms the skin by balancing its natural oil and pH levels. Powered by potent skin-friendly ingredients, it goes beyond just cleansing the skin — it also moisturizes the skin and tightens pores to reveal a brighter and younger-looking complexion. Don’t worry if you have oily and acne-prone skin, as it doesn’t lead to breakouts!

Key Ingredients: Licorice, guava leaf extract, rose extract, green tea extract

Skin Type: Oily & acne-prone, combination, sensitive, dry

Product Benefits: pH Balancing 

Size: 5.07 fl oz.

5

Best Suited for All Skin Types

Bolden Skin Brightening Toner

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Infused with the goodness of niacinamide, licorice, vitamin B5, and algae extract, this makes for a powerful hydrating toner for hyperpigmentation. Lauded for its antioxidant properties, niacinamide helps improve the overall appearance of the skin by improving epidermal barrier function, treating the signs of fine lines and wrinkles, and boosting skin elasticity (a study published in the NCBI). 

Other goodies present in the formulation of this award-winning product promote healthier and brighter skin. Our skincare experts appreciate that it is suitable for all skin types and doesn’t contain ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. For people who keep searching for the best cruelty-free products, this is an ideal pick. People with oily or normal skin can pair it with Bolden’s Skin Clarifying Cleanser for best results. 

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide, licorice root extract, and algae extract

Skin Type: All

Product Benefits: Oil control, pore tightening, and exfoliation

Size: 8 fl oz.

Quick Tip:

After cleansing your face, apply the toner using a cotton pad. Gently massage the product into the skin using upward strokes. For best results, follow with a SPF moisturizer.

6

Best Dermatologist-tested Pick

COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

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COSRX is a renowned skincare brand that has garnered a lot of positive reviews, owing to its unique formulations. Here we present to you a COSRX serum that is uniquely crafted with 6 peptides, all meant to promote healthy skin. This dermatologist-tested product provides a plethora of skincare benefits — it controls sebum production, smooths skin texture, improves skin tone, and keeps aging signs like fine lines at bay. Upon using the product for over a few weeks, our testers revealed that it makes skin soft and supple. 

Users also feel the same — one user shared on Amazon, “I certainly recommend this product for people with red, sensitive skin. I use a prescription acne product overnight that dries my skin out, so when I wake up the next day and use this product (as well as numerous other COSRX products) my skin feels hydrated and revitalized! I've even just put this on my face in the mornings when I'm feeling lazy and it's done the trick. It gives you a healthy glow without being oily and dries down completely without feeling tacky or sticky on the skin. Your skin really just drinks it up. At least mine does! I feel this product is high quality without being overpriced, which is amazing. Overall this serum is really easy to use and easy to spread across the face and neck. 10/10, really do recommend!”

Key Ingredients: 6 peptides, namely SH-Polypeptide-121, Copper Tripeptide-1, Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate, Oligopeptide-68, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8:

Skin Type: All

Product Benefits: Collagen booster, brightening, plumping

Size: 5.07 fl oz.

7

Best Packaging

Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Toner

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Among the best toners for hyperpigmentation, we have this splendid product from Versed that blends the power of vitamin C, bearberry extract, and different types of acids to revitalize your skin. First, it contains potent AHAs, namely lactic acid, glycolic acid, and kojic acid — which according to a study conducted by Cosmetics help prevent fine lines and wrinkles, mitigate dryness, facilitate skin cell turnover, stimulate collagen production, and treat hyperpigmentation.  

Further, it is packed with vitamin C and bearberry extract – which team up together to improve skin texture. When used on a regular basis, it can help brighten the skin tone, making you look like a drop-dead gorgeous diva!

Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, bearberry extract, and vitamin C

Skin Type: Dry

Product Benefits: Exfoliation 

Size: 4 fl oz.

8

Best to Soothe Skin Sensitivities

Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightness Refresh Toner

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Just like all other products from this reputed brand, this one too, lives up to its expectations. Deemed as one of the best toners for hyperpigmentation for sensitive skin types, this product is loved by many for its gentle exfoliant properties. With a powerhouse pairing of niacinamide and glycerine, it not only fades dark spots but also moisturizes the skin. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, glycerin is a natural humectant that has proven efficacy in retaining moisture in the skin and keeping the signs of aging at bay, leading to soft, supple, and plumper-looking skin. Further, it contains citric acid to gently exfoliate the skin without disturbing its natural pH levels. 

Upon testing this product, I found out that it has a lightweight texture and gets absorbed smoothly without making the skin feel greasy. Specifically formulated for people with sensitive skin types, this product is truly a boon for those looking to get an even-toned complexion without irritation. It is a dermatologist-tested formula and defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity, which adds to the reasons you should add it to the cart now!

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, sea daffodil extract, and glycerin

Skin Type: Sensitive

Product Benefits: Hydrating and brightening 

Size: 150 ml

9

Best Vegan & Cruelty-free Product

Aloderma Aloe Brightening Toner

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This brightening toner from Aloderma is a one-stop solution for people dealing with redness, dryness, dullness, uneven skin tone, signs of aging, and hyperpigmentation. Wonder how? First things first, it contains 88% fresh organic aloe vera which according to research published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, protects the skin against UV damage and calms dry skin. 

Further, the product entails the goodness of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that work wonderfully in boosting skin moisture, preventing the signs of aging, boosting collagen production, stopping wrinkling of the skin, and providing antioxidant effects to the skin. Crafted to nourish your skin without harming it, this is a meticulously created product without any nasties like parabens, SD alcohol, mineral oil, sulfates, and GMO hormones. Plus, its aromatic scent makes skin feel smell divine and fresh. One of the best toners for combination skin, this truly deserves a spot in your daily skincare routine!

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, olive leaf extract, amino acids, and niacinamide 

Skin Type: All, combination, sensitive, dry, normal

Product Benefits: Firming and brightening 

Size: 4.2 oz

10

Best for Skin Hydration

Elizabeth Mott Hyaluronic Acid Toner

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Be it cleansing away dirt and grime or protecting the skin from environmental aggressors — this Korean beauty toner from Elizabeth Mott does both, effortlessly. Featuring a blend of hyaluronic acid and Antoxyl-S (a Korean traditional plant fermentation), this product gives the skin the dose of hydration it needs while also removing dirt and impurities. 

Our testers loved how smoothly it glides onto the skin without feeling sticky or greasy. After trialing this product, they found that it not only deep cleanses the skin but also unclogs pores, thereby boosting skin luminosity. 

“This toner leaves my face clean and very hydrated. I love the fact that it is not tested on animals. I have reordered several times and would highly recommend it.” says a user. 

With all the goodness of skin-nourishing ingredients, this definitely is one of the best toners for hyperpigmentation that you can use in both summers and winters.

Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, Antoxyl-S

Skin Type: All

Product Benefits: Deep cleansing, hydration 

Size: 5.28 fl oz

11

Best for Fading Dark Spots

Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Toner

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This toner from Farmacy is a clinically proven product that claims to reduce dark spots in a week. It contains goodies like tranexamic acid, PHA, and azelaic acid — all of which are known to boost skin health.  As per a study conducted by Cosemtics, the usage of topical tranexamic acid is effective in treating melasma and sun-induced hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid, on the other hand, has proven to be efficient in treating acne in adult females (study published in the NCBI).

Last but definitely not least, PHAs, too exhibit promising anti-aging skin benefits, and according to a study published in the ResearchGate, they help improve the signs of aging while also providing moisturization and nourishment to the skin. With such potent ingredients, this formula helps fade dark spots and cleanse the skin gently while also strengthening the skin barrier. Crafted for all skin types, this would be a perfect addition to your skincare regimen and elevate your skin routine. 

Key Ingredients: Azelaic acid, PHAs, and 3% TXA (tranexamic acid)

Skin Type: All

Product Benefits: Dark spot correction and hydration

Size: 4 fl oz

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best toners for hyperpigmentation, it's time to go through the buying guide so that you can pick the right product. After all, amidst all the best-selling products with so many beneficial properties, it can be hard to make an informed decision. Below are some pointers that would help you get the best toner for hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

1. Assess Your Skin Type

Before buying any skincare product, it's important to understand your skin type before making the purchase. If you have dry skin, look for a hydrating toner that can infuse moisture into your skin. On the other hand, people with sensitive skin should look for hypoallergenic products. If you break out easily and have oily skin, go for non-comedogenic and lightweight products. 

2. Address Your Skin Concern

Apart from hyperpigmentation, there are several skin woes that people tackle every day. Buying a toner that caters to all or a majority of your skincare problems can help you minimalize your routine as well as cast less burden on your pocket. For instance, if dehydrated skin is bothering you, then look for a toner with moisturizing properties. Elizabeth Mott Hyaluronic Acid Toner is an ideal pick for those with extremely dry skin. Similarly, if inflammation is something that’s wreaking havoc on your skin, then you can go for Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. 

3. Check the Ingredients

Practicing minimalist skincare can be the key to solving the problem of hyperpigmentation. When buying toner for hyperpigmentation, it's important to steer clear of formulas containing parabens, alcohol, artificial scents, etc. as these can harm your skin. Choose lean and gentle formulations with natural ingredients that don’t strip your skin of its natural oils and disturb your skin’s natural microbiome.