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11 Best Pore-Minimizing and Clarifying Toners for Oily Skin

Stay shine-free all day with these top-rated toners, recommended by dermatologists.

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While there are plenty of reasons to welcome summer with open arms, anyone with oily skin knows that warmer weather — particularly when it comes with humidity — can lead to more oil production. To try to combat grease, you may reach for the usual suspects, like blotting papers or face powder, but starting with a good skincare routine can actually help stop sebum in its tracks. While dermatologists recommend incorporating a cleanser and moisturizer designed for oily skin into your regimen, those with oily and acne-prone skin may also want to consider using a top-rated toner to help clarify and minimize shine.

What are the benefits of a toner for oily skin?

"Many people with oily skin often deal with enlarged pores and blemishes, so you have to consider what ingredients can help address these concerns," says Heidi Goodarzi, M.D., a dermatologist in Newport Beach, California. There are a few ingredients to look for in a toner that can be especially beneficial if you have acne-prone or oily skin:

  • Hydroxy acids: Hydroxy acids like AHA and BHA can help exfoliate and de-gunk skin. "BHAs are oil soluble and penetrate pores to remove excess oil and clear blackheads, while the AHAs work on the surface of the skin to add glow and minimize pigmentation," says Goodarzi.
  • Niacinamide: Goodarzi explains that niacinamide not only helps reduce inflammation for those who have both oily skin and acne, but it can also help control oil by reducing sebum production.
  • Astringents: Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Chemist Danusia Wnek explains that astringents can be beneficial for those with oily skin. "Astringents such as witch hazel and alcohol are great for temporality minimizing the appearance of pores," Wnek explains. If you seek out a toner with an astringent, be sure to add moisture back into your skin to avoid a drying effect.

Below, find the best face toners you can buy for oily skin, according to GH Beauty Lab scientists and dermatologists:

1
Best Overall Toner for Oily Skin

Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner

Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner
Credit: Herbivore

Pros

  • Non-stripping
  • Easy-to-use spray bottle

Cons

    Packaged in an easy-to-use spray bottle, this toner won't leave your face feeling stripped or dry after use, but it is packed with powerhouse ingredients that will mattify your oily complexion: Witch hazel works as an astringent, while salicylic acid in the form of willow bark clears out pores. "It immediately makes my face feel less oily," one reviewer raves.

    2
    Best Value Toner for Oily Skin

    Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

    On Sale
    Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

    Pros

    • Gentle on skin
    • Affordable

    Cons

      Wnek grew up using Dickinson's toner for her oily skin, and she says it visibly helps minimize her pores. This classic non-drying drugstore toner is gentle on skin and helps even skin tone with witch hazel, its only ingredient.

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      3
      Best Hydrating Toner for Oily Skin

      La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution

      Effaclar Clarifying Solution

      Pros

      • Evens skin texture and tone
      • Moisturizes skin

      Cons

        This toner uses salicylic and glycolic acid to help improve skin texture, unclog pores and control oil. Not only does it help clear pores, it also keeps skin soft with hydrating ingredients like castor oil. "I like how it kept the oiliness at bay without drying it out," one reviewer says.

        4
        Best Rose Water Toner for Oily Skin

        THAYERS Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner

        Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner

        Pros

        • Controls oil
        • Cleans out pores

        Cons

          Packed with rose water, aloe vera and witch hazel, this toner works wonders for greasy, acne-prone skin. "I have enlarged pores, adult acne, dry cheeks, oily T zone, and uneven skin," one reviewer says. My skin I also extremely sensitive to any products. It doesn’t dry out my skin. I have not had one single pimple since using this product. My pores look smaller. It’s very gentle on my skin. It doesn’t burn at all."

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          5
          Best Toner for Glowing Skin

          Pixi Glow Tonic

          Glow Tonic

          Pros

          • Packed with ingredients that benefit skin
          • Makes skin radiant

          Cons

            This Beauty Lab pick is on Wnek's current roster of favorite toners. "It contains astringents, aloe, glycolic acid and humectants — all great things in a toner," she says. "It smells great and definitely makes my skin glow."

            6
            Best Alcohol-Free Toner for Oily Skin

            Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

            Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

            Pros

            • Clarifys skin tone and texture
            • Moisturizing
            • Non-stripping

            Cons

              BHAs and AHAs work together to even skin texture and clarify the skin, while sugarcane-derived squalane give the skin a boost of instant moisture. "It makes my pores look smaller and I also think it helps control oil throughout the day, but doesn’t make my skin feel tight or dry," one reviewer says.

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              7
              Best Pore-Tightening Toner for Oily Skin

              OLEHENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner

              Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
              Credit: Olehenriksen

              Pros

              • Controls blackheads
              • Exfoliates skin

              Cons

                Made with oily skin in mind, this toner works to control sebum throughout the day with glycolic and salicylic acids. "This product has greatly evened out my skin tone and gotten rid of the excess oil around my T-zone," one reviewer says. "I usually get blackheads as my skin is very oily, but using this, I noticed that my skin began to clear up and my skin wasn't as oily."

                8
                Best Micellar Toner for Oily Skin

                Bioderma Sensibio H2O

                Sensibio H2O
                Credit: Bioderma

                Pros

                • Gentle and non-irritating
                • Can be used throughout the day to minimize oil

                Cons

                  Even though it's not technically a toner, Goodarzi recommends micellar water for oily skin because it can help freshen skin throughout the day or gently remove excess oil after cleansing. "This fragrance free micellar water is a really simple product that does exactly what it is designed to do," she says. "It cleanses the skin without irritating or stripping the skin. It can help oily skin types remove excess oil and debris."

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                  9
                  Best Toner for Large Pores

                  Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant

                  SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant
                  Credit: Paula's Choice

                  Pros

                  • Exfoliates skin
                  • Non-drying

                  Cons

                    Formulated with pore-unclogging BHA, this toner gets deep into the skin to minimize oil. "This product is well-loved by many people because it can help with skin texture while being gentle and moisturizing on the skin," says Goodarzi. "Many exfoliants can make the skin feel tight or dry but that is not the case with this one."

                    10
                    Best Brightening Toner for Oily Skin

                    Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner

                    Niacinamide Brightening Toner
                    Credit: Good Molecules

                    Pros

                    • Gentle on skin
                    • Evens skin tone

                    Cons

                      This affordable toner uses niacinamide to help brighten skin and even complexion. "It can help regulate sebum production and brighten the skin," says Goodarzi. "It is well-tolerated on most skin types, including oily skin."

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                      11
                      Best Exfoliating Toner for Oily Skin

                      Glossier Solution

                      Solution

                      Glossier's Solution is packed with AHAs, BHAs and PHAs for an exfoliating punch. "I've been struggling with my face looking oily and reddish for years and had all but accepted that that was just how my skin was," one reviewer says. "My oil disappeared, my acne is non existent, and my dark spots and acne scars have almost completely faded. My skin has never been healthier, or softer."

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