Thayers milky toner Review: Affordable and gentle daily use Toner

Alcohol-Free Toner Review – Affordable, Gentle, and pH Balanced

Why I Tried This Toner

The previous toner I used felt just like water with only a light moisturising effect. I wanted something more effective than purified water—a toner that is alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin. Ideally, it would deliver long-lasting hydration, up to 48 hours, without the need for an additional moisturiser.

When I found this product on sale for 50% off (12.49 AUD for 355 ml), I decided to give it a try. The claim of 48-hour hydration and its suitability for all skin types made it sound promising.

First Impressions & Texture

This toner has a semi-transparent, watery, and essence-like texture. While there is a slight smell, it doesn’t feel artificial or perfumed.

The label suggests using a cotton ball to sweep it across the face. When applied this way, it feels refreshing and lightly moisturising, but most of the product gets absorbed into the cotton rather than my skin.
When I applied it directly with my hands, it felt a bit slippery, almost like liquid soap. It quickly evaporated, leaving my skin with a dry, cooling sensation—similar to how acetone feels after it evaporates.

Pros

• Generous size & affordable – 355 ml bottle at half price (12.49 AUD).

• Skin-friendly ingredients – free from alcohol and artificial fragrance.

• Gentle for sensitive skin – no irritation or breakouts experienced.

• Balanced pH (5.0) – ideal for supporting the skin barrier.

The result indicates PH 5 

Cons

• Limited hydration – despite the “48 hours hydration” claim, it didn’t feel long-lasting.

• Application issues – using a cotton ball wastes product, while applying directly leaves an odd, slippery feel.

• Not moisturising enough on its own – works better as a prep step before moisturiser rather than as a stand-alone hydrating toner.

How I Use It Now

Instead of relying on this toner for hydration, I use it as a base layer before applying moisturiser. It helps create a subtle grip on the skin, making other skincare products absorb better.

This makes it a decent pre-moisturiser toner rather than a true “hydrating toner.”

Test Results

To see how much product actually stays on the skin, I tested it on black plastic:

• Applied with fingers (top part): more product remained visible.

• Applied with cotton ball (bottom part): less product left, as most absorbed into the cotton.

This simple test confirmed that applying with fingers is more effective if you want to get the most out of this toner.

The photo right after the application - the top one with finger and the bottom one is by cotton ball.

The photo was taken 3 hours after the application-the one I applied with a cotton ball has already disappered.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, alcohol-free toner with a skin-friendly pH, this product could be a good option—especially as a prep step before heavier moisturisers.
However, if your main goal is deep or long-lasting hydration, this toner may not live up to its marketing claims. It refreshes the skin but won’t replace a hydrating essence or moisturiser.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.