Dermatologists Say This Skincare Product Can Help Balance Oily Skin

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Even if you religiously wash your face before slathering on your favorite vitamin C serum each morning and night, it can feel downright groan-inducing to think about adding yet another step to your skincare routine. But dermatologists say all skin types—particularly those with oily skin—can benefit from using a great facial toner.

"Toners are an important step for oily skin types, as they help maintain the skin's natural pH, minimize pores by removing dirt and debris, and control oil secretion by helping regulate sebum levels, says Helen M. Torok, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. With consistent use, facial toners that contain a blend of active acids will lead to a reduction in acne and oil, plus tighter pores, she says.

Best facial toners

When choosing a facial toner, here are some factors to keep in mind.

What to consider

Key ingredients

Looking at skincare ingredient labels is very important, says Dr. Torok, who always recommends clinical strength and clean formulas that contain a blend of actives, like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, and do not contain any dyes, colorants, fragrance, or parabens. "Glycolic acid paves the way for salicylic acid, as it breaks up the dead skin cells and dirt and debris on the surface to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin," Dr. Torok says. "Salicylic acid swoops in and cleans out the pores and reduces inflammation." If your skin is sensitive or skews dry, you may also want to look for a product that contains a hydrator like hyaluronic acid, which can hold 1,000 times its weight in water to keep the skin barrier balanced.

Alcohol-free

Dr. Torok always recommends clean formulas without parabens, phthalates, and other harsh ingredients, but Limor Weinberg, a board-certified nurse practitioner in aesthetics, says this is particularly important for anyone with skin that's easily inflamed. Those with sensitive skin should look for alcohol-free formulas that feature soothing ingredients. Weinberg recommends chamomile or cucumber extract, but hyaluronic acid and aloe vera can also help soothe skin.

How we chose

To find the best facial toner to balance the skin's pH, decrease oil production, and tighten pores, the Women's Health team consulted two experts—a board-certified dermatologist and a board-certified nurse practitioner—plus asked our team of anonymous testers and our in-house editors for feedback on the products they use and love. We then put some of the top-rated products to the test, evaluating their ingredient list as well as their efficacy.

Below, shop the eight best facial toners, tested by editors and beauty experts.

Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

The best toner for you is the one that suits your skin type, but Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner has something for everyone and every skin type, which is why it nabbed our best overall spot. The exfoliating pick contains a combination of exfoliants, including PHA and BHA, to gently decongest pores and slough away dead skin cells for a smoother overall texture.

We love that it does so without the same harsh drying effects you can get with some toners. Glycerin helps hydrate and plump, while watermelon extract and cactus water soothe the skin, plus deliver nourishing vitamins and amino acids.

Users say it's nice and lightweight and leaves skin feeling silky soft and glowy, not dry and dull. And it's impossible to talk about this toner without mentioning the delicious scent—like the freshest summer watermelon you've ever cut into.

Read more: How To Use Facial Toner

Hydrating Toner

Two experts we spoke to pointed to this pick from CeraVe as one of the best toners—and it's one you can find in the drugstore aisles. Derms tell Women's Health it's extra gentle on skin—even dry, easily irritated skin—thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. It's also both alcohol and fragrance-free.

We found that the water-based formula is lightweight and easy to apply. Just put a little bit on a cotton pad, and brush it over your face. Upon drying, skin feels smooth and hydrated, but not so much so that you'll deal with excess oil or shine.

Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner

Olehenriksen consistently impresses us—from the brand's firming moisturizer to their under-eye cream and this toner. Specifically made to target signs of aging, like dark spots, this formula contains a combination of glycolic and lactic acids to exfoliate, witch hazel water to brighten, and lemon, sugar cane, licorice root, chamomile, and sandalwood extracts to soothe.

Keep in mind it's on the harsher side, so it may not be great for those with sensitive skin, but users with hyperpigmentation tell Women's Health it really works. The brand says you can expect to see results within a week, but some users said they saw a change what seemed like overnight.

Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

When you're dealing with big pores prone to oil buildup and, thus, acne flareups, reach for this gentle facial toner from Biossance. The ingredient list boasts white willow bark extract, which works to unclog pores and stop excess oil production, as well as caviar lime extract, which helps slough away dead skin cells before they have a chance to clog your pores. We also found that it's one of the best products on this list for minimizing pores, something to note if that's what you want your facial toner to do.

Still, it's not excessively drying, thanks to the sugar-cane derived squalane, a very lightweight moisturizer. Users like the light and refreshing scent, too.

Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

This toner is unique because it's a milky formula that's specifically designed for the most sensitive skin. It's packed with ingredients known to soothe, including colloidal oatmeal, wild oats, and honey. It also counts hyaluronic acid as one of its star ingredients to deliver a dose of hydration.

One user told WH they've tried countless toners, and this was the only one that didn't sting and helped quell redness. They also liked that it was non-stripping and more hydrating than most other options out there, but still non-comedogenic. One person even noted that it gave their skin a soft glow.

Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner

Paula's Choice is another brand that frequently tops our best-of lists, and this toner impressed our editors for its anti-aging benefits, as well as its hydrating properties. It's made with a trio of acids—linoleic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid—to boost radiance, hyaluronic acid to plump and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and evening primrose oil, an antioxidant-rich moisturizer.

Our tester raved that it was super gentle, too. "A lot of toners irritate my sensitive skin, but this one is more refreshing than stripping," one user said. "I've noticed a definite improvement in the overall texture of my skin, namely less rough patches and redness."

Hydrating Toner

When you have combination skin, you need a Goldilocks product—one that's not too drying, but not too hydrating. PCA Skin's hydrating toner strikes that perfect balance with an ingredient list that works hard to remove excess dirt and oil while also delivering a kiss of moisture. One word users repeatedly used when describing this toner was "clean," with several saying that it made their skin feel fresh.

It's powered by jania rubens extract, which has important anti-aging benefits, as well as antioxidant-rich watermelon, apple, and lentil fruit extracts, and evening primrose oil for that hydration.

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Though exceptionally budget-friendly, this exfoliating toner has a high concentration of glycolic acid to resurface the skin, leaving it ultra-smooth. It won't totally strip your skin, though, thanks to soothing aloe vera, ginseng, and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative that helps counteract the irritating properties of the acid.

We think this alcohol-free solution is ideal for dry or dull skin, since it really targets texture, leaving skin more radiant. Users say it's great for hyperpigmentation, too, telling WH it effectively tackled dark spots from shaving on other areas of the body, too. Pro tip: You can use this one to reduce dryness on your scalp, too.

Meet the Experts

• Helen M. Torok, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and medical director of the Trillium Creek Dermatology Center in Ohio.

• Limor Weinberg, MSN, ARNP-FNP-BC, is a board-certified nurse practitioner in aesthetics in Miami.

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