Dermatologists Say This Extra Step Is Key for Oily Skin (2024)

A great face wash and facial moisturizer are key components of any beauty routine, but there's an extra step that all skin types can benefit from: toners. They're particularly great for oily skin, too, says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "They can help reduce the skin’s oil production, tighten pores, and balance the skin’s pH levels, which can reduce the likelihood of breakouts," she explains. "Toners are also great for removing excess dirt, makeup, and impurities from the skin post-cleansing."

What to consider

Alcohol-free

Look for a gentle alcohol-free toner, says Engelman. These products are gentler on skin, and less likely to be excessively drying, which can lead to redness and irritation. They're also more suitable for sensitive skin types.

Active ingredients

You'll also want to peep the ingredient list for some other skincare superstars that can help prevent acne flare-ups in those with oily skin. Look for soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera to help bring moisture to the skin or niacinamide to help minimize redness, says Engelman. "I also recommend formulas with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid to decongest the skin," she says.

How we chose

To help you find the best toners for oily skin—the ones that not only help clean skin but also contain acne-fighting ingredients to quell oil and reduce the instances of breakouts—we evaluated nearly a dozen top-selling, highly rated options. We also tapped our expert editorial team to find out what they use every day. We're confident these are the best toners for oily skin.

The Experts:

• Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
• Nicole Lee, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York
• Morgan Rabach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical in New York City

It's hard to find complaints about Farmacy's toner—especially when it comes to those with oily skin. The product harnesses the power of salicylic acid, which minimizes oil production and shrinks pores. It also contains papaya enzymes, which are naturally exfoliating to clarify pores. Users say it gets the job done without the sting that some other toners leave in its wake. It's not at all drying, either. Instead, the lightweight formula leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed. We also like the light scent—it's like cucumber water.

For beauty on a budget, it's hard to go wrong with Thayers Facial Toner. The storied brand is more than 175 years old and still manufacturing products, like this one, which garner hundreds of thousands of glowing reviews on sites like Amazon. The gentle, alcohol-free formula is made almost entirely of natural ingredients, including certified organic witch hazel, which works to clean and contract pores. It also boasts aloe vera, which helps soothe any inflammation. The brand says it's more than just a facial toner, too—use it to soothe skin after shaving, cleanse nails prior to a manicure, or calm irritation from sunburn, bug bites, and more.

Skinceutical products continually top our best-of lists—we find them to be full of high-quality ingredients, gentle on skin, and highly effective. The brand's toner is no different. Derms agree. "This formula is great for exfoliating and tightening the appearance of pores," says Lee. The ingredients include alpha and beta hydroxy acids to shrink pores as well as eucalyptus oil for a fresher finish. We like that it's free of synthetic fragrances—ideal for those with sensitive skin.

Rabach recommends this budget-friendly drugstore pick because it's hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. It's gentle enough for all skin types, she says. It won't strip your skin of its natural moisture, but it will help remove impurities, tighten pores, and reduce excess shine. Users—some of whom have been using the product for nearly two decades—say it's hard to beat the efficacy, particularly at such a friendly price point.

Biossance makes another great alcohol-free product that works off the powers of exfoliators like AHA and BHAs, as well as white willow bark to visibly tighten and clarify pores. It also has sugarcane-derived squalane and hyaluronic acid to infuse skin with moisture without the risk of sending oil production into overdrive. Users say regular use makes a visible difference—pores are smaller and blackheads aren't as prevalent—plus love that it doesn't have the same burning sensation as some others.

If you're prone to excess shine, Paula's Choice is one of the stronger toners out there. It not only helps put a halt to oil production in overdrive but also targets large pores, redness, and uneven skin tone. It's powered by a combination of niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) for pore health, hyaluronic acid to balance out the moisture in the skin barrier, and chamomile to help soothe angry, inflamed skin.

Sure, smaller pores and less shine may be the goal, but what if we told you there are some toners out there that can deliver even more skin benefits? Rabach says Alpyn Beauty's toner has all the same exfoliating properties of other great toners for oily skin, thanks to 2 percent salicylic acid, but also works to hydrate and brighten. "It also has vitamin C to visibly brighten and protect against free-radical damage, plus tremella mushroom to hydrate and maintain the skin's natural pH," she says.

Dermatologists, including Engelman, like Medik8's toner because it combines exfoliating and clarifying ingredients like salicylic acid and tranexamic acid with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and sake extract to target imperfections. "It is suitable for sensitive and congested skin, as it improves the skin barrier while targeting and minimizing oil production and clogged pores," says Engelman. We also like that, although effective, it's gentler than some other options out there, which makes it safe enough for twice-daily use.

Suitable for all skin types, this hardworking toner is packed with witch hazel and algae extract to control oil production, plus clean and minimize pores without stripping the skin of its natural oils and disrupting the skin barrier. It also contains grape seed extract and vitamin E to neutralize any damaging free radicals and nourish skin. We love that it has a cooling sensation that makes skin feel soft and refreshed. The brand also makes a whole suite of compatible products, including cleansers and moisturizers for maximum benefits.

If you struggle with sensitive skin prone to irritation from, well, just about anything you put on it, you'll love this toner from La Roche-Posay. The toner contains ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acids to clarify but isn't harsh or overly drying. It's not only fragrance-free and oil-free but also allergy-tested. It's safe to use both in the morning and at night without any redness, dryness, or irritation.