11 Best Toners for Oily Skin, According to Dermatologists (2024)

While there are plenty of reasons to welcome summer with open arms, anyone with oily skin knows that warmer weather — particularly when it comes with humidity — can lead to more oil production. To try to combat grease, you may reach for the usual suspects, like blotting papers or face powder, but starting with a good skincare routine can actually help stop sebum in its tracks. While dermatologists recommend incorporating a cleanser and moisturizer designed for oily skin into your regimen, those with oily and acne-prone skin may also want to consider using a top-rated toner to help clarify and minimize shine.

What are the benefits of a toner for oily skin?

"Many people with oily skin often deal with enlarged pores and blemishes, so you have to consider what ingredients can help address these concerns," says Heidi Goodarzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Newport Beach, California. There are a few ingredients to look for in a toner that can be especially beneficial if you have acne-prone or oily skin:

• Hydroxy acids: Hydroxy acids like AHA and BHA can help exfoliate and de-gunk skin. "BHAs are oil soluble and penetrate pores to remove excess oil and clear blackheads, while the AHAs work on the surface of the skin to add glow and minimize pigmentation," says Goodarzi.
• Niacinamide: Goodarzi explains that niacinamide not only helps reduce inflammation for those who have both oily skin and acne, but it can also help control oil by reducing sebum production.
• Astringents: Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek explains that astringents can be beneficial for those with oily skin. "Astringents such as witch hazel and alcohol are great for temporality minimizing the appearance of pores," Wnek explains. If you seek out a toner with an astringent, be sure to add moisture back into your skin to avoid a drying effect.

Below, find the best face toners you can buy for oily skin, according to GH Beauty Lab scientists and dermatologists:

Packaged in an easy-to-use spray bottle, this toner won't leave your face feeling stripped or dry after use, but it is packed with powerhouse ingredients that will mattify your oily complexion: Witch hazel works as an astringent, while salicylic acid in the form of willow bark clears out pores. "It immediately makes my face feel less oily," one reviewer raves.

Wnek grew up using Dickinson's toner for her oily skin, and she says it visibly helps minimize her pores. This classic non-drying drugstore toner is gentle on skin and helps even skin tone with witch hazel, its only ingredient.

This toner uses salicylic and glycolic acid to help improve skin texture, unclog pores and control oil. Not only does it help clear pores, it also keeps skin soft with hydrating ingredients like castor oil. "I like how it kept the oiliness at bay without drying it out," one reviewer says.

Packed with rose water, aloe vera and witch hazel, this toner works wonders for greasy, acne-prone skin. "I have enlarged pores, adult acne, dry cheeks, oily T zone, and uneven skin," one reviewer says. My skin I also extremely sensitive to any products. It doesn’t dry out my skin. I have not had one single pimple since using this product. My pores look smaller. It’s very gentle on my skin. It doesn’t burn at all."

This Beauty Lab pick is on Wnek's current roster of favorite toners. "It contains astringents, aloe, glycolic acid and humectants — all great things in a toner," she says. "It smells great and definitely makes my skin glow."

BHAs and AHAs work together to even skin texture and clarify the skin, while sugarcane-derived squalane give the skin a boost of instant moisture. "It makes my pores look smaller and I also think it helps control oil throughout the day, but doesn’t make my skin feel tight or dry," one reviewer says.

Made with oily skin in mind, this toner works to control sebum throughout the day with glycolic and salicylic acids. "This product has greatly evened out my skin tone and gotten rid of the excess oil around my T-zone," one reviewer says. "I usually get blackheads as my skin is very oily, but using this, I noticed that my skin began to clear up and my skin wasn't as oily."

Even though it's not technically a toner, Goodarzi recommends micellar water for oily skin because it can help freshen skin throughout the day or gently remove excess oil after cleansing. "This fragrance free micellar water is a really simple product that does exactly what it is designed to do," she says. "It cleanses the skin without irritating or stripping the skin. It can help oily skin types remove excess oil and debris."

Formulated with pore-unclogging BHA, this toner gets deep into the skin to minimize oil. "This product is well-loved by many people because it can help with skin texture while being gentle and moisturizing on the skin," says Goodarzi. "Many exfoliants can make the skin feel tight or dry but that is not the case with this one."

This affordable toner uses niacinamide to help brighten skin and even complexion. "It can help regulate sebum production and brighten the skin," says Goodarzi. "It is well-tolerated on most skin types, including oily skin."

Glossier's Solution is packed with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs for an exfoliating punch. "I've been struggling with my face looking oily and reddish for years and had all but accepted that that was just how my skin was," one reviewer says. "My oil disappeared, my acne is non existent, and my dark spots and acne scars have almost completely faded. My skin has never been healthier, or softer."