7 Best Toners for Combination Skin, Recommended by Dermatologists
These will help your dry-in-some-places, oily-in-others complexion.
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Combination skin can sometimes feel like it’s having an identity crisis. Dry in some places and oily in others, finding products that work for your whole face can feel a bit tricky sometimes. But in truth, toners (a.k.a. those liquid potions you swipe on after cleansing but before serums and moisturizer), are actually great for combination types.
When you find the right one, “toners can help balance hydration and irritation on the cheeks, but can also balance pesky oil on the T-zone," says Paul Jarrod Frank, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City and author of The Pro-Aging Playbook. And finding a formula that works without leaving you with parched and oily patches is easy, once you know what you’re looking for.
How to choose the right toner for combination skin
First, choose a toner that's alcohol-free, since alcohol can strip the skin and leave it dry, Dr. Frank advises. Then, seek out these ingredients that are great for combination skin, recommends Marie Hayag, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of 5th Avenue Aesthetics in NYC:
- Antioxidants. Search the ingredient list for add-ins like vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea, as “they help prevent damage to your skin from free radicals and environmental pollutants," she says.
- Hydration boosters. Keep an eye out for the humectant hyaluronic acid as well as ceramides and fatty acids to help retain moisture by reinforcing the skin barrier.
- Gentle exfoliants. These include glycolic acid and Dr. Mayag's favorite, lactic acid. “It’s a good exfoliant that is not irritating on combination skin,” she explains, thanks to its large molecular size, which means it doesn’t penetrate too quickly or deeply.
Now that you’d have the primer on these skin, well, primers, we’ve rounded up some of the best dermatologist-recommended toners for combination skin out there, with insights from Dr. Frank and Dr. Hayag, as well as Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab chemist Danusia Wnek and GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.
BioEffect EGF Essence
Pros
- Oil- and fragrance-free
- Softens skin
Cons
- Pricey
This formula from BioEffect is the one that turned former toner denier Aral into a toner lover, thanks to the fact that it contains the same growth factors found in the brand's famous serums. “It refreshes and hydrates skin at the same time, especially in the summer when I don’t need heavy moisturization," she says.
Pixi Pixi Glow Tonic
Pros
- Contains skin-balancing ingredients
- Increases radiance
- Good value
Cons
This Pixi exfoliating toner gets the GH Beauty Lab scientist thumbs up for all the skin-loving ingredients inside. “It contains astringents, aloe, glycolic acid, and humectants — all effective ingredients in a toner," Wnek says. It also has ginseng to improve circulation for an instant glow boost.
Pros
- Mild on skin
- Balances oil and hydrates
Cons
Since it’s pH-balanced, this Origins toner is extra-gentle, so “it will not strip the skin," Dr. Frank says. Another reason to love it: “The main ingredient is laminaria, which is derived from kelp and can help to prevent excess oil production,” he explains. But because it’s also hydrating via several botanical extracts, it helps balance combination skin as well.
Augustinus Bader The Essence
Pros
- Contains moisturizing ingredients
Cons
- Pricey
The trendy toner from Augustinus Bader is one of Dr. Hayag's picks for combination skin that needs a bit more moisture. It “contains the patented TFC8 [ingredient], which is composed of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and molecules naturally found in skin to nourish and protect.” Plus, it's boosted with the powerful antioxidant wasabi ferment and hyaluronic acid.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Pros
- Softens the look of pores
- Soothes skin
Cons
This formula from Paula’s Choice is “filled with antioxidants and ceramides," Dr. Frank says. "It helps to reduce the appearance of large pores while hydrating.” And, he points out, “It also contains glycerin and niacinamide to calm irritated, sensitive skin.”
Ren Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Toner
Pros
- Contains exfoliating ingredients
- Smoothes and brightens skin
Cons
To get a great glow, Dr. Frank recommends this formula from Ren because “[it’s] loaded with lactic acid, and is strong enough for oily areas yet gentle enough for sensitive cheeks.” It also has salicylic acid to fight clogged pores and azelaic acid to up your glow and even skin tone.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
Pros
- Smoothes and evens skin tone
Cons
- May tingle on skin
- Pricey
Biologique Recherche is a cult classic for a reason. “This is one of my favorite toners for all different skin types,”Dr. Hayag says. “[It] greatly improves skin tone and texture.” Its secret sauce is the magic combo of lactic acid to exfoliate and niacinamide, which helps reinforce skin’s protective barrier to keep it hydrated.
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