While many are still divided on this topic , all four dermatologists we interviewed had the same thing to say about toners: You don't really need 'em.“Toners are a complete waste of time,” says Austin-based dermatologist Ted Lain , MD. “Toners came into fashion when facial cleansers were not pH-balanced, leaving an acidic residue on the skin that toners then balanced. Now, however, cleansers are completely balanced, so using a toner is unnecessary."Dermatologist Hadley King, MD, of Skinney Med Spa , adds: “[Toners] may, at times, include an active ingredient that you are seeking, like salicylic acid for acne-prone skin. But most of the time, I do not think they are adding a lot of value — and because many of them are alcohol-based, they end up doing more harm than good, because they dry out your skin.”As long as you have the right cleanser for your skin type and targeted serums and moisturizers, you're doing right by your complexion.