14 Best Homemade Toners For Oily Skin That You Can Try In 2025

For all those who battle with oily skin every day, toning is an essential part of your daily skincare routine you probably didn’t think about. While cleansing your skin every day can get rid of all the impurities to a large extent, it is toning that can remove the remaining dirt that has built up over time and give you smooth and glowing skin in a jiffy. The good news is that you can try a few DIY homemade toners for oily skin to get rid of the excess oil. The perfect homemade toner will help reduce the size of your pores, replenish the pH levels in your skin, add an extra layer of protection and form the perfect base for moisturizing your skin. In this article, we discuss a few natural ingredients available in your pantry you can use as a toner on a regular basis to healthy and glowing skin. Read on to know more!

Homemade Toners For Oily Skin – The Best 14

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

• Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water.
• Soak a cotton pad in the solution.
• Gently apply it to your face, especially on oily areas. This helps the toner get appropriately absorbed and balance your skin’s oil levels.

Aviva, a lifestyle blogger, shares her experience of using apple cider vinegar as a toner. “While I was using apple cider vinegar as a toner, I did notice that my skin was less oily than usual. Three to four hours after washing my face at night, my face is usually an oil slick; I use two blotting sheets before going to bed in order to get rid of the annoying shine. With apple cider vinegar, there was only a hint of dewiness before I hit the sack (i),” she says. However, she adds that ACV does not clear out makeup residue from the pores and she didn’t use potent makeup remover formulas while using ACV. Hence, when she had to temporarily stop using it due to inconvenience during travels, her skin had broken out badly as a result of blocked pores. Therefore, if you use heavy makeup, ensure using an oil-based cleanser, followed by a mild cleanser, before using your toners.

Trivia

The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is responsible for its astringency and the associated benefits (1).
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2. Mint Leaves

• Boil 6 cups of water.
• Add a couple of mint leaves to the water while it is still hot.
• Allow the solution to cool.
• Saturate a cotton pad with the solution and wipe your face with it.

3. Lemon Juice With Peppermint Tea

• Take 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, a peppermint tea bag, and 1 cup of hot water.
• Immerse the tea bag in the hot water and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Remove the tea bag from the water and add the lemon juice.
• Mix well and allow the solution to cool.
• Use a cotton pad to wipe your face with the solution.

4. Aloe Vera

• Slice an aloe vera leaf and scoop out the gel.
• Dilute 2 tablespoons of the gel with 1 cup of cool water.
• Apply the solution onto your face using a cotton pad.
• This solution also soothes sunburns and rashes.

Trivia

Zinc is an active component in aloe vera and works as an astringent to tighten pores (2).

5. Cucumber

• Take 2/3rds of a fresh cucumber and chop it up into small pieces.
• Pour a cup of water into a pan and add the chopped cucumber.
• Heat the pan for about 8 minutes until the water starts to boil.
• Blend the cucumber and water.
• Let it cool and then filter the juice out using a sieve.
• Apply this toner onto your face using a cotton pad.

6. Camphor With Rose Water

• Mix a pinch of camphor in a bottle of rose water.
• Apply this solution onto your face after every wash.

7. Ice Cold Water

• Use a cotton pad to dab some ice-cold water onto your face after you wash it.
• Optionally, you could simply rub an ice cube on your face.

8. Raw Mango Seed

• Take the seeds from a couple of raw mangoes.
• Place them in a pot with 3-4 cups of water and boil for 30 minutes.
• Let the liquid cool and then strain it.
• Use this to tone your face after every wash.

9. Chamomile

• Boil a chamomile tea bag in a cup of water for 5 minutes.
• Let it cool and store the tea in a bottle.
• Apply this onto your face with a cotton pad after every wash.

10. Lemon Juice

• Dilute 1 tablespoon of lemon with 1 cup of water.
• Apply the solution to your face using a cotton pad.
• Optionally, you can rub a lemon peel on your face and wipe off any residue with a wet cotton pad.
• This helps to remove tan and controls oiliness.

11. White Vinegar And Rose Water

• Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to a bottle of rose water.
• Use this to tone your face after every wash.

12. Green Tea

• Brew a cup of green tea and let it cool
• Use the tea as a toner after every wash

13. Hibiscus

• Boil ½ cup of dried hibiscus in a cup of water.
• Let the hibiscus steep in the water for 10 minutes.
• Sieve out the dried hibiscus.
• Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel.
• Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle once it cools down.
• Use it twice a day after cleansing your face.

14. Rosemary Mint

• Add 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves and 2 ½ tablespoons of fresh rosemary needles to 1 cup of boiled water.
• Let the herbs infuse for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Strain the herbs out of the water.
• Add 2 tablespoons of witch hazel.
• Store in the refrigerator and use within three weeks.

Key Takeaways

• Homemade toners are natural and chemical-free alternatives made of aloe vera, camphor, or cucumber.
• Toners soothe sunburns, remove tan, control excess oil, and moisturize the skin.
• Apply the toner to your cleansed face with a cotton pad every day.
• Store the toners for 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark place.

Infographic: 6 Easy DIY Skin-Toning Solutions For Oily Skin

No other skin care product can beat a toner when it comes to controlling excess sebum and reducing shine and oiliness. Besides commercial toners, a few natural ingredients also work wonders for managing oily skin issues. We have listed some of the most effective and easily available natural skin-toning ingredients in the infographic below. Scroll down to check it out.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I use homemade toners?

You can use homemade toners once or twice a day, depending on your skin type. If your skin feels sensitive, start with once a day and adjust as needed.

Is rose water good toner for oily skin?

Yes. Rose water is a good toner for acne-prone and oily skin. Homemade rose water, which is a great addition to your skin care routine for oily skin, contains rose essential oil, which has antimicrobial properties against acne-causing bacteria (3). It may help reduce acne and maintain the health of your skin.

What can I use instead of toner?

Instead of a commercial toner, you may use rose water and rice water to tone your skin. They may reduce oiliness and protect the skin from acne and breakouts. They can be effective and often contain fewer chemicals, but make sure the ingredients are suitable for your skin type.

How do I make a homemade toner for oily skin using witch hazel?

Start by adding 1 tablespoon of witch hazel. 2 tablespoons of aloe vera, and your favorite essential to 1 cup of warm water. Stir well and transfer to a clean bottle. Apply it using clean hands or a cotton pad.

Are there any precautions or potential allergies to consider when using homemade toners?

While most homemade toners are considered safe, some ingredients may cause redness or irritation. So, make sure you do a patch test before topical application.

Is it necessary to consult with a dermatologist before using homemade toners for oily skin?

Not necessary. Homemade toners carry minimal side effects and are safe for all skin types. However, avoid ingredients you are allergic to and do a patch test before topical application.

How long does it take to see results from using homemade toners for oily skin?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that regular application of homemade toners may show visible results in 2-3 weeks.

Illustration: Best Homemade Toners For Oily Skin That You Can Try

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Nicholas JonesMD, FACS

     

Dr. Nicholas Jones is a double-boarded certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery with 19 years of experience. He completed surgery residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center and his plastic surgery fellowship at Medical College of Georgia.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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