Dermatologists Say These Toners Will Help Banish Oil Without Stripping Your Skin (2024)

When you have oily skin, preventing that dreaded-yet-inevitable shine from taking over your face is practically a side hustle. Quick fixes like blotting papers and setting powders are great in a pinch, but if you really want to tamp down the grease, a toner—in addition to a great cleanser and lightweight moisturizer—may be helpful.

“Toners used to get a bad rap because previous generations stripped the skin with alcohol-containing ingredients,” says San Diego-based board-certified dermatologist Melanie Palm, M.D. This compromised the skin barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, breakouts, and even more oil. But these days, toners focus on giving back to your skin, especially if you’re oily or acne-prone. “Modern toners usually support healthier skin turnover and prepare skin to receive other active ingredients applied after toning,” says Dr. Palm.

How to choose the best toner for oily skin

Seek out key ingredients: Look for beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), or poly hydroxy acids (PHAs)—like salicylic, glycolic, or lactic acids—in lower concentrations, as they exfoliate the skin, clear your pores, and reduce sebum production, says New Jersey-based board-certified dermatologist Zain Husain, M.D.

Sulfur also has anti-inflammatory and oil-regulating properties. “It’s helpful in both oily and acne-prone skin types,” says Dr. Palm. To ensure the toner you choose won’t be too drying, make sure that, in addition to these oil-fighters, it contains soothing ingredients like aloe vera, niacinamide, and antioxidants.

Steer clear of harsh add-ins: Avoid a toner that’s high in alcohol or other astringents, as this will cause dryness and trigger more oil production. “Any toners that advertise ingredients like high concentrations of alcohol or witch hazel or over-glorify astringent and exfoliating properties should be avoided,” says Dr. Husain. Ditto for synthetic fragrances, he adds, which can cause irritation and breakouts. A good rule of thumb: Skip products that give your skin that too-tight feeling, adds Dr. Palm.

Pay attention to other skin problems: “If you have acne in combination with oily skin, you don’t want to use an over-exfoliating toner that will dry out the skin and increase oil production,” says Dr. Husain, which will only spur more breakouts. “And if you have oily skin but also suffer from rosacea, you definitely want to avoid witch hazel and not overuse glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide, as those can trigger a flare-up.”

Trial and error may be necessary: “By just looking at the label or contents, it would be impossible to really know the best toner for your skin,” says Richard Bottiglione, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Alliance Dermatology and Mohs in Arizona. “The packaging won’t give you any hint of how strong it is.”

Ultimately, only trying the product will give you the best idea of what works for you and what doesn’t—but where to start? Below, dermatologists share the toners they recommend for oily skin, with picks for every price point:

This toner contains glycolic acid, an AHA that sops up excess grease, sends dead skin cells packin’, and leaves skin feeling smoother. It also contains aloe vera to hydrate and soothe, while ginseng gives a brightening effect. Don’t be afraid of the word “glow” here: Your complexion willlook refreshed, rather than overly dewy.

AcneFree’s Witch Hazel Mattifying Toner contains a great combination of ingredients, saysHadley King, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University. Witch hazel temporarily shrink pores, glycolic and lactic acids gently exfoliate and remove excess oil, aloe vera and glycerin hydrate and soothe, and chamomile calms inflammation.

The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid Toning Solution is alcohol-, paraben-, and fragrance-free. “It contains soothing ingredients like ginseng and aloe vera to help calm down the skin as the glycolic acid takes effect,” says Dr. Husain. (If your skin is sensitive as well as oily, however, he recommends patch testing this product first.)

This line of alcohol-free toners uses high-quality ingredients sourced from nature, are 100% cruelty-free, and don’t use any animal ingredients (with the exception of beeswax). “They grow their own organic witch hazel, a natural astringent that’s the hero ingredient in the brand’s toners, which come in several varieties, including rose petal, coconut water, lavender, and cucumber,” says Dr. King.

It may be suitable for all skin types, but Neutrogena’s Pore Refining Toner is especially beneficial for those with oily skin. “It contains both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, which help with oil and gently exfoliate the skin,” says Suzanne Friedler, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology PC in New York.

If your skin is sensitive on top of being oily, this toner by Herla is where it’s at. “With 100% pure Damask rose water, it’s a very hydrating and soothing formulation, without oils or other comedogenic ingredients to aggravate oily skin,” says Dr.King.

Besides being alcohol- and fragrance-free, this toner only contains three ingredients to combat oily skin, and is suitable for those on the sensitive end of the spectrum. “It’s a very versatile toner because you can spray it on your face after cleansing to soak up the oil and mattify the skin, but you can also spray it on to touch up your makeup throughout the day because the ingredients (water, salt, and zinc sulfate) won’t cause irritation,” says Dr. Husain.

Thestellar trifecta of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids in this toner is a dream for acne-prone skin. What’s more, it also contains witch hazel to help tighten pores, as well as botanical oils—such as green tea, eucalyptus, algae, and Irish moss—for a burst of hydration and antioxidants.

This toner contains glycolic and salicylic acids to help reduce oil production, while simultaneously cleansing the skin and helping to fight acne. “It’s soothing ingredient is eucalyptus, which calms down the skin,” says Dr. Husain. “It’s also fragrance- and paraben-free, but does contain alcohol.”

This combination toner by Glossier contains three acid groups that are great for oily skin (alpha-hydroxy, beta-hydroxy, and polyhydroxy acids). It sweeps away dead skin cells and helps to improve the appearance of enlarged pores, redness, and blemishes.

La Mer’s toner formula is infused with algae extras that significantly reduce excess oil and rebalance the skin. “It’s a cult favorite of some of my patients,” says Dr. Palm.

This toner contains lactic acid, which helps to remove dead skin cells, says Dr. Friedler, as well as pumpkin extract, from which the vitamins, enzymes, and amino acidsnourish the skin while preparing it for further treatment.