13 Best Drugstore Toners For Oily Skin
Combat excess oil production and unclog your pores effectively, all on a budget.
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Toners are the best solution for many skin issues faced by oily skin. They contain active ingredients and help minimize sebum production, clear the pores, and exfoliate your skin. They do not cost and bomb, and there are many best drugstore toners for oily skin that work pretty well. Scroll down to find the list of the 13 best drugstore toners for oily skin.
In This Article
What Do Toners Do For Your Skin?
Toners were earlier developed to balance the skin’s pH level but have now evolved to aid several aspects. Cleansing your face with a face wash does not guarantee a 100% cleanse. Toners remove grease and makeup residue from your pores and tighten your pores. They also balance the sebum levels to make your skin oil-free.
Keep scrolling to look at the 13 best toners for oily skin available online.
13 Best Toners For Oily Skin
Best For Large Pores:LAROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR Astringent Lotion
The LAROCHE POSAY EFFACLAR is specifically formulated for oily and acne-prone skin types. It has micro-exfoliating properties that reduce pore size. It is infused with lipo hydroxy acids that help smoothen and refine the skin texture. Other ingredients include glycerin, salicylic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, and capryloyl salicylic acid. You can check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more convincing.
Pros - Dermatologist-tested
- Allergy tested
- Oil-free
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May sting on application.
Pro TipBest For Blackheads:PAULAâS CHOICE Pore-Reducing Toner
The Pore-Reducing Toner by PAULA’S CHOICE is enriched with niacinamide that minimizes pores and fights the signs of aging. The antioxidants balance oily skin and eliminate blackheads and blemishes to smoothen your skin. The hydrating ceramides refine and protect your skin from damage. This toner is infused with chamomile extracts, burdock root extracts, and hyaluronic acid that restore the skin barriers to promote an even skin tone. It does not strip away natural moisture and provides hydration.
Pros - Lightweight
- Gentle
- Paraben-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Greasy residue
Best For Acne Breakouts:natural outcome Oily Skin Toner
The Oily Skin Toner by natural outcome is infused with grapefruit, lemon, aloe vera, witch hazel, and pomegranate. The antibacterial grapefruit dissolves excess oils, balances oil production in your pores, and prevents breakouts. The antioxidant-rich pomegranate has acne-fighting properties that promote cell regeneration.
Lemon prevents acne and clarifies skin. It also has natural vitamin C that brightens the complexion. Witch hazel refines the pores and is a natural astringent that cleanses dirt or grime. Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that soothe irritation and breakouts while hydrating your skin.
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Dye-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May cause irritation.
Best For Irritated Skin:raya Calendula Astringent
The Calendula AstringenT by raya is specially formulated for oily skin. It is infused with aloe vera, lemon, calendula extracts, and glycolic acid.
Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that soothe irritation and breakouts while hydrating your skin. Lemon prevents acne and clarifies and brightens your skin. Glycolic acid balances your face’s natural pH, prevents breakouts, reduces excess oil, and eliminates fine lines or wrinkles.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
- Mild
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
Best Pore Cleanser:sebamed Clear Face Facial Toner
This toner from sebamed is a gentle, deep pore cleanser. The pH-balanced moisturizing toner soothes, cleanses, and restores the natural skin barrier. It removes excess oil, grime, and dirt while controlling sebum production. This toner contains panthenol, silk proteins, and allantoin to soothe your skin and improve cell regeneration.
Pros
- Clinically tested
- Contains natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Contains alcohol
CautionBest Non-Comedogenic:CeraVe Hydrating Toner
The CeraVe Hydrating Toner is formulated for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. It is non-alcoholic and contains hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and essential ceramides that provide ample hydration and makes the skin smooth, soft, and refreshed-looking skin. The ceramides essentially help with restoring the skin’s natural skin barrier and maintaining the pH balance. The formula also helps in eliminating leftover dirt from deep within the pores.
Pros - Non-drying
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Non-alcoholic
- Fragrance-free
- pH balanced
- Allergy tested
- Oil-free
Cons
- Might not be suited for sensitive skin
Best Anti-Inflammatory:Eight Saints Clear Seaweed Face Toner
The Eight Saints Clear Seaweed Face Toner helps remove dirt and oil from the skin without stripping away its natural moisture. The toner contains that witch hazel reduces the likelihood of breakouts, vitamin B5 to nourish and protect the skin barrier, and MSM as an anti-inflammatory. These ingredients will make your skin more supple, wrinkle-free, and acne-resistant. It’s the ideal toner to use after cleansing to remove the last traces of makeup, clear pores, and renew skin before moisturizing.
Pros - Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
- Mild
- Contains natural ingredients
- Non-drying
Cons
- Might give a tingling sensation
Best For Skin Smoothening:PCA SKIN Smoothing Facial Toner
The PCA SKIN Smoothing Facial Toner is one of a kind, formulated specifically to reduce the appearance of acne and pores for a smooth and clear skin texture. It contains aloe, botanical extracts, citric, and lactic acids to remove dead skin cells for a brightened skin tone, without stripping the natural moisture from the skin. It reduces excess oil from the skin to prevent further acne breakout and uneven skin texture.
Pros - Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Best suited for acne-prone skin
Cons
- Might burn or irritate the skin
Best For Skin Tightening:LATHER Citrus Balancing Toner
This clarifying toner is infused with rosemary extracts, lemon extract, horsetail extract, lemongrass oil, pine tree extract, and mandarin orange extracts. These ingredients balance the pH level of the skin and have skin tightening properties.
This toner also helps control natural sebum production and refreshes your skin. It is rich in omega-6 linoleic acid and allantoin to smooth out your skin and keep it clean. The balancing toner is also rich in vitamin E and has antioxidant-rich ingredients.
Pros
- Mild
- Contains natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Dye-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Value for money
Cons
None
Best pH-Balanced:Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Face Toner
The non-drying Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Face Toner helps to adjust the pH of the skin. It is suitable for dry, regular, and oily skin. You can use this toner after cleansing the skin to remove the dead skin and impurities. The toner helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It transforms the skin’s appearance by improving the complexion and making the skin look healthier.
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Non-drying formula
- Travel-friendly
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Watery consistency
Best Anti-Aging:VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Superskin 3 Monolaurin + Mandelic Acid Toner
This toner from VMV HYPOALLERGENICS is a deep-cleansing and acne-managing toner. It brightens your skin tone and reduces signs of aging. The toner gently removes dead skin cells, dirt, impurities, and excess oil from your pores and prevents breakouts. It gives a matte look and clarifies your skin by lightening blemishes and fine lines.
Pros
- Clinically tested
- Fragrance-free
- Mattifying
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Phthalate-free
- Preservative-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Contains alcohol
Best For Combination Skin:THAYERS Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner
The THAYERS Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner is formulated to tone and smooth the skin while maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. This toner helps reduce the appearance of pores while it balances the pH level of the skin. It is made with organic witch hazel, aloe vera, and vegetable-derived glycerin that provides the hydration and nourishment required for smooth skin.
Pros - Dermatologically tested
- Cruelty-free
- Non-alcoholic
- Non-comedogenic
- 100% natural ingredients
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
- Strong fragrance
Best For Brightened Skin:InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner
The InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner is an astringent spray that maintains your skin’s pH balance and natural moisture barrier. It contains vitamin C which reduces the signs of aging while adding more brightness to your skin. It is also infused with witch hazel, lavender, and geranium oils which balance oil production, reduce skin irritation, and leave you with radiant and soft skin.
Pros - Paraben-free
- pH-balancing
- Anti-aging
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic fragrance
- PEG-free
- Petroleum-free
- Formaldehyde releasor-free
- Cruelty-free
- Synthetic dye-free
- Mineral oil-free
Cons
- Might dry out your skin
Let’s now look at the factors to consider while choosing a toner for oily skin.
How To Choose The Best Toner For Oily Skin
- pH Balance
The healthy pH for skin is 5.5. If you have oily skin, your skin tends to become more acidic. Over-cleansing will make your skin worse and dry it out. A toner with an optimal pH level will balance your skin’s acidity and make it moisturized and glowing.
- Check The Key Ingredients
Opt for toners with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids. They gently exfoliate your skin, cleanse the pores, and reduce sebum production without drying out your skin. Look for soothing and hydrating ingredients like niacinamide and aloe vera. Opt for naturally-derived ingredients that do not irritate or damage your skin.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoid ingredients like alcohol that dry out your skin, strip off moisture, trigger sebum production, and cause breakouts. Highly concentrated ingredients like witch hazel may cause irritation and breakouts. Avoid products with alcohol, parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, and silicones to prevent skin damage.
- Other Skin Problems
If you have combination or oily skin, excessive exfoliation can dry it out and increase oil production. Therefore, avoid ingredients like glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and witch hazel that can trigger acne.
Drugstore toners can help reduce pores and exfoliate your skin. No, they do not cost a lot, but you need to choose the best drugstore toner according to your skin type. For oily skin, toners can help remove grease and makeup residue from your pores while attempting to tighten your skin. Some toners also comprise micro-exfoliating properties that smoothen the texture of your skin and help in hydrating, nourishment, and rejuvenation. Avoid toners that sting too much when you apply them.
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach and loves reviewing new and exciting products for her readers. She handpicked the best drugstore toners for oily skin after thoroughly researching multiple products and sifting numerous user reviews on trusted online forums and websites. The shortlisted products are dermatologically-tested and contain potent natural ingredients that help tighten your pores with every application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I apply a toner?
Soak a cotton pad with the toner and gently dab or swipe it on your neck and entire face. You can also dab some on your hand and pat it on your face. Make sure you use a toner after cleansing your face and before moisturizing it.
How many times a day should I use a toner?
It is recommended to use a toner twice a day after washing. If your skin is very sensitive and gets irritated or dry easily, applying the toner once will be sufficient.
How do you know your skin toner is working?
After using a toner, your face feels less greasy or shiny. It also tightens your pores and makes your face look smoother and cleaner.
How long does a toner last?
Toners can last up to one year from the date of manufacturing. If you find any change in color, smell, or irritation to your skin, discard the product immediately.
Can I use drugstore toner without moisturizer for oily skin?
Yes. If the toner provides enough moisture, it can be applied without a moisturizer. However, it is always advisable to use moisturizer to keep the skin nourished, hydrated, and supple.
Can you use rosewater as a toner for oily skin?
Yes, rose water helps balance natural oils and is a great option as a toner for oily skin.
