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When assembling your everyday skin care routine, you need to get the basics down first. Once you have a solid face wash, hydrating moisturizer, and protective sunscreen in your arsenal, you can explore other products that’ll help address certain concerns. For example, if you have oily skin, you may want to consider picking up one of the best toners for oily skin.
“Toner is used after cleansing your face to achieve a certain pH for your skin. The skin’s pH should be between 5.5 and 5.9. Once the skin has proper pH, the efficacy of the products that follow in the skin care routine will be enhanced,” says Joanna Czech, a celebrity esthetician and the founder of Joanna Czech Skin Care. Czech explains that toners can balance the skin or exfoliate it depending on the formula, helping to counteract excess sebum production and reduce the look of larger pores.
Our top picks for the best toners for oily skin of 2024
Oily skin can be frustrating, especially when you’re shiny mere minutes or hours into the day, or when your foundation breaks down quickly, no matter how much powder and setting spray you apply. If you’ve been desperate for a solution, peruse our guide to the eight best toners for oily skin below. We spoke to Czech, tested numerous options, and combed through countless top-rated customer reviews to find only the cream of the crop.
1
Best Glycolic Acid Toner
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Pros
Reduces dark spots and discoloration all over body- Helps prevent clogged pores
Cons
- Can feel a bit sticky on skin
This toner clinched its spot in the internet’s skin care hall of fame thanks to how well it works on the body to reduce ingrown hairs, neutralize body odor, and lighten darkness on places like armpits. However, those with oily skin will also appreciate its benefits for the face; over time, it minimizes the look of pores, helps with sebum buildup, and fades the post-acne hyperpigmentation many folks with oily skin experience.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, Tasmanian pepperberry derivative, ginseng root, aloe vera
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “Although my skin leans combo-dry these days, I had severely oily skin until just a few years ago. My pores were larger and clogged, I had dry patches despite the copious amounts of sebum my skin produced, and I had to bake my entire face with powder just to keep the oils at bay. I adored this glycolic toner from The Ordinary because it smoothed texture in just a few uses and even seemed to help with my persistent breakouts. I definitely recommend only using it a few days a week to get the best results—use it too often, and your skin barrier may suffer from over-exfoliation.”—Carol Lee, ELLE.com associate beauty e-commerce writer
Pros
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
If you have congested and sensitive skin, this one’s for you. The star ingredient in this toner is salicylic acid, which sloughs off dead skin cells and penetrates pores to clear out debris and excess sebum. The result? Smaller-looking pores, a brighter complexion, and less congested skin. However, the gentle formula has a pH of 5.5, which means even those with sensitive skin can use it up to twice a day.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, tranexamic acid, sake extract, aloe vera
Size: 5.07 fl. oz.
Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I had never heard of Medik8 but I took a chance, and it is absolutely what I want in an exfoliating toner. Strong enough to keep my pores clear, but not harsh at all in any way on my super sensitive skin. In fact, it feels slightly moisturizing, but not [so] moisturizing [that] I get oily. It also is pH-balanced, so I can immediately go into my other skin care. It’s truly just right. I am back right now for more.”
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Pros
- Soothes inflammation
Cons
- Not suitable for those looking for an exfoliating toner
While this toner isn’t exactly designed to wick away all your oil, it is formulated to boost the overall health of your skin. Sometimes, excess sebum production is a sign of deep dehydration. This toner contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and fruit extracts to infuse the skin with moisture. Additionally, it calms irritated skin with sea chamomile and shields against the aging effects of free radicals with vitamin C.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, chicory root, agave, zinc, magnesium, copper sea chamomile, vitamin C.
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Joanna Czech rating: 5/5 stars
Our expert says: “The toner is balancing and offers many transformative benefits for the skin. It rejuvenates the skin’s health from the surface down to the cellular level while balancing the skin’s pH and enhancing the complexion’s resilience with sea chamomile and vitamin C.”—Joanna Czech
Pros
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Some may dislike scent
You might be familiar with BHAs, and you probably know about AHAs, but have you heard of LHAs? Lipohydroxy acid is a derivative of salicylic acid and works in similar ways. However, LHAs don’t penetrate the skin as deeply or as rapidly as salicylic acid, even though they’re also proven to help banish unwanted sebum and clear pores. So, if your sensitive skin doesn’t react well to the potency of salicylic acid, or you’re a chemical exfoliator beginner, give this La Roche-Posay pick a whirl.
Key ingredients: LHAs, thermal spring water
Size: 6.76 fl. oz.
Dermstore rating: 5/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “For combination skin and large pores, this is a life saver. [When] used in combination with La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel, it works wonders. The appearance of pores is minimized without sacrificing moisture.”
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5
Best for Uneven Texture
Tatcha The Texture Tonic AHA Liquid Exfoliating Treatment
Now 20% Off
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- May not work for very sensitive skin
Don’t let the name of this product deceive you—it does so much more than even texture. With the power of gentle AHAs, niacinamide, and Japanese mugwort, the toner calms redness and shrinks the appearance of pores, making the complexion look more even and uniform overall.
Key ingredients: AHAs, niacinamide, Japanese mugwort
Size: 5 fl. oz.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I purchased this tonic and other Tacha products around the holidays in order to establish a skin care routine. After using it for a while, I can only conclude that it’s incredible. My skin’s texture is much more balanced out thanks to the tonic. I also noticed that my face became less oily. My pores tightened, making them less obvious. And part of the redness that was around my nose’s creases almost completely disappeared.”
Pros
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Some customers note difficulties with dispenser
You should thoroughly wash your skin before using a toner, but if you have even a trace of sunscreen, foundation, or excess sebum left on your skin, this formula will find it and get rid of it. All you have to do is spritz some onto a cotton pad or ball and gently (keyword: gently) sweep it over your face for one last cleanse. The toner also includes exfoliating fruit acids and calming aloe and chamomile to enhance the appearance of your skin.
Key ingredients: Fruit acids, rosemary, aloe, chamomile
Size: 6.8 fl. oz.
Skinceuticals rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Skinceuticals reviewer says: “I usually don’t write reviews, but I wanted to share that this toner is amazing! I love that it’s alcohol-free and doesn’t dry out my skin. I have pretty oily skin and I definitely see an improvement in the overall tone and texture of my face.”
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7
Best for Enlarged Pores
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Pros
- Contains soothing ingredients
Cons
- May not be suitable for very sensitive skin
Niacinamide can do many things for our skin, but we especially love that it stabilizes and balances sebum production. The ingredient is the secret behind this Paula’s Choice toner's oil-controlling powers. However, that doesn’t mean the formula strips the skin of moisture; it also soothes and boosts the skin barrier with chamomile, ceramides, panthenol, and more.
Key ingredients: Chamomile, ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, panthenol
Size: 6.4 fl. oz.
Paula’s Choice rating: 4/5 stars
A Paula’s Choice reviewer says: I developed oily skin in my early 20s, specifically in the T zone. I also have enlarged pores there. After only two uses, my skin didn’t produce its normal oils, and my pores shrank to a normal size (not invisible, because that’s impossible!). It did not cause instant irritation or breakouts.”
Pros
- Works all over the body
Cons
- Can dry out the skin
Exfoliating properly can speed up the removal of dead skin cells, unclog pores, and brighten your complexion, but exfoliating too much with something that’s too powerful for your skin can increase irritation, dryness, and breakouts. Specifically formulated for sensitive skin, this K-beauty-inspired toner can be used two to three times a week to keep your skin fresh, not raw.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, kale, spinach, parsley
Size: 6.76 fl. oz.
Krave Beauty rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Krave Beauty reviewer says: “The texture of my skin is totally different after using this product for about two weeks. My pores are smaller, and my skin tone is more even.”
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How do you apply toner?
You should remove all traces of makeup, sunscreen, and grime from your face before going in with a toner. “To apply toner, spray directly on your face or put into the palm of your hands, and use a firm press and release motion to enhance absorption. You can also put toner on a cotton ball and use swiping movements on the face,” says Czech.
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How do you control oily skin throughout the day?
According to Czech, there are a few different ways to go about it, and they might not be what you would expect. “You can use blotting papers to absorb excess oil. You can also treat oily skin with oil-based products at night, as they can help dissolve excess oil to regulate skin during the day. Some people might be surprised to know that mattifying products are not always the best option to treat oily skin,” she says.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com beauty writer Carol Lee spoke to a trusted skin expert about the best toners for oily skin, tested formulas, and combed through reviews for top-rated options, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.
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Carol Lee
Associate E-Commerce Writer
Carol Lee is the Associate E-Commerce Writer at ELLE.com, where she covers all things beauty and personal care. Before joining the team, she was an editor at Food Network Magazine and HGTV Magazine and ran the beauty section at The Pioneer Woman. Carol received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from New York University and was one of the first customers to visit Glossier’s flagship store in New York’s Soho neighborhood. Over the years, she’s tested countless makeup, hair, and skin care products, and written hundreds of articles covering the beauty space, from pieces about the trendiest launches to roundups of the best products on the market. As a Korean-American, she grew up in a sea of Korean makeup and skin care products and is a bona fide expert on the ever-expanding world of K-beauty, helping lead our coverage. Additionally, she’s also always on the hunt for the perfect lipstick and watches the same few comfort sitcoms (Frasier, Cheers, Seinfeld, New Girl, etc.) over and over again.
