A toner which has i) toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a colorant and ii) a fatty acid metal salt composition as an external additive. The fatty acid metal salt composition contains a nonionic surface-active agent and a fatty acid metal salt. This toner and an image forming process making use of the toner can keep the toner from adhering to a toner carrying member throughout running, promise a stable chargeability of the toner and can keep any deterioration of halftone image quality from being caused by excess charging of the toner and any image fog from being caused by insufficient charging of the toner.