Oily, acne-prone skin comes with a unique set of issues – excess sebum, clogged pores, inflammation, scarring, dark spots and textural irregularities. Finding products like cleansers and moisturizers tailored specifically for these traits can help control blemishes and oil production while preventing future breakouts. But one hero skincare ingredient often overlooked is the toner for oily skin types.
With so many options on the market though, it gets confusing to choose which formula actually works best at keeping shiny skin balanced, clear and flawless. The most basic alcohol-based toners may provide temporary oil relief but could disrupt your moisture barrier over time. Gentle, non-drying ingredients focused on calming, clarifying and balancing acne-prone complexions tend to go further at the root of oily skin issues.
In this blog, we will cover the top 10 best toners for oily and acne-prone skin types available online in the Indian market. Comparing the key features and suitability of different formulations helps you discover your perfect match based on specific needs – whether mattifying shine, minimizing pores, fading marks or soothing irritation from breakouts. Read on to find your new holy grail toner!
This alcohol-free toner from Plum contains green tea and glycolic acid to help fight acne and control excess oil production. It works to tighten pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, and prevent moisture loss without drying out the skin.
This Plum toner is a great option for oily and acne-prone skin types. The key ingredients help treat existing acne while controlling factors that cause more pimples. The formula is non-drying, making it suitable for daily use. The added exfoliation reveals brighter, healthier looking skin over time.
The Minimalist PHA 3% Toner contains a gentle fruit-derived exfoliant called polyhydroxy acid that works to unclog pores, smooth texture, and brighten skin without irritation. The formula is free of alcohol and hydrates while retexturizing.
We like this toner as a multifunctional option that offers chemical exfoliation from PHA along with hydration and pore-tightening. The formula is gentle enough for daily use but provides noticeable improvements in texture and radiance over time. It’s a solid pick for those struggling with clogged pores, blackheads, or dullness.
This Lacto Calamine toner is an alcohol-free formula containing cucumber, green tea, and niacinamide. It provides oil control, tightens pores, hydrates skin, and evens out tone. The soothing botanicals leave oily skin feeling fresh.
Lacto Calamine products cater well to oily, acne-prone skin and this toner fits right in. The blend of niacinamide, antioxidants, and mild astringents helps balance oil production, minimize pores, calm inflammation, and improve texture with continued use. The formula offers comprehensive treatment without stripping or irritating like harsh alcohol-based toners.
The Biotique Cucumber Toner is an ayurvedic formula containing cucumber and other botanical ingredients aimed at tightening pores and controlling oil on normal to oily skin types. The formula helps balance pH.
As an ayurvedic, natural toner made for the needs of oily skin, this Biotique Cucumber Toner checks a lot of boxes. The refreshing formula provides oil control, purifying ingredients to keep pores clear, and balanced pH for healthy skin—all without skin-aggravating chemicals. It makes a great natural option for those seeking plant-based ingredients.
This Plum toner combines niacinamide and rice ferment extract to clarify, smooth, and brighten oily, acne-prone skin without alcohol. Its 3% niacinamide helps control oil and sebum production while fading marks.
With blemish-fading niacinamide and smoothing rice water, this toner tackles multiple oily skin issues without irritation. The formula helps regulate oil and sebum production while improving texture, reducing marks, and brightening overall complexion. The lightweight toner absorbs well without leaving residue.
This hydrating toner from Plum blends rosewater and hyaluronic acid to provide lightweight moisture for all skin types. The spray helps tighten pores, balance pH, and nourish skin without drying alcohol.
While catered to all skin types, we think oily and acne-prone skin can benefit from the hydrating and soothing properties of this formula without worrying about clogged pores or irritation. The pore-tightening effect also helps keep sebum and impurities from collecting inside pores to minimize breakouts. The spray makes application super simple.
DOT & KEY’s Cica Calming Toner is formulated with centella, niacinamide, green tea and other botanical extracts to soothe inflammation, control oil and sebum production, prevent breakouts, and fade marks on acne-prone skin.
We like this soothing, clarifying toner for acne-prone oily skin struggling with active breakouts, leftover marks, and irritation. The formula tackles multiple concerns—redness, excess oil, clogged pores, roughness—with skin-friendly botanical ingredients that establish a healthier foundation for clear, calm skin.
The Biotique Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner contains tea tree oil to purify congested oily, acne-prone skin and tighten the appearance of pores without harsh drying alcohols. It helps treat existing pimples also.
We recommend this toner if you want an all-natural, alcohol-free option containing clarifying tea tree to combat oily skin, clogged pores, blackheads and blemishes. The refreshing formula helps regulate excess sebum, deep clean inside pores, reduce new breakouts and improves overall texture over time. It offers comprehensive oil control.
This popular Cosrx AHA/BHA toner contains gentle exfoliating acids—glycolic acid and willow bark water—to improve skin texture, unclog pores, fade marks, treat acne, and balance oil on oily, acne-prone skin.
We like this toner as a chemical exfoliant treatment that helps oily, rough, acne-prone skin types struggling with enlarged pores, blemishes, irritation, and scars. Both AHAs and BHAs work to purify pores, smooth bumps, resurface uneven texture, and prevent future breakouts by keeping pore lining exfoliated. Start slow if new to acids.
Re’equil’s Pore Refining Toner is formulated with witch hazel, green tea and allantoin to clarify, balance sebum, prevent breakouts, calm irritation and minimize the appearance pores without drying alcohol.
This simple yet effective toner tackles the root causes behind oily, acne-prone skin—excess sebum, clogged pores, irritation—using proven botanical ingredients that maintain skin’s moisture. We think sensitive or irritated breakout-prones skin would benefit most from the formula’s clarifying, sebum-balancing, calming properties.
Product | Key Features |
---|---|
Plum Green Tea Toner | Alcohol-free; Glycolic acid; Tightens pores |
Minimalist PHA Toner | 3% PHA; Hydrating; Pore tightening |
Lacto Calamine Toner | Cucumber, green tea; Hydrating; Pore tightening |
Biotique Cucumber Toner | 100% Botanical; Balances pH; Tightens pores |
Plum Niacinamide Rice Toner | 3% Niacinamide; Brightening |
Plum Rosewater Toner | Hydrating spray; All skin types |
DOT & KEY Cica Toner | Centella; Niacinamide; Acne scar treatment |
Biotique Tea Tree Toner | Tea tree oil; Treats acne; Tightens pores |
Cosrx AHA/BHA Toner | AHA & BHA Acids; Unclogs pores |
Re’equil Pore Toner | Witch hazel; Oil controlling; Pore minimizing |
When choosing a toner for oily skin, look for formulas that help:
The best toners will also be alcohol-free to avoid aggravating delicate, acne-prone skin. Focus on beneficial ingredients tailored for oily issues like niacinamide, tea tree, witch hazel and chemical exfoliants instead.
Pick a non-drying liquid toner for all-over use or deeper penetrating ones with actives for targeted oily areas and blemishes. Using the right toner for your oily or acne-prone skin type and concern makes all the difference!
Refreshing Toners: Light, hydrating formulas for quick refreshment
Mattifying Toners: Help control excess oil and shine
Purifying Toners: Deep clean out congested pores
Exfoliating Toners: Chemically exfoliate and resurface skin
Calming Toners: Soothe irritation and inflammation
Step 1: Cleanse skin and pat dry with a clean towel
Step 2: Pour toner onto a cotton pad or hands and sweep across face
Step 3: While skin is still damp, apply other treatment products if using
Step 4: Follow with a light moisturizer suitable for oily skin
Step 5: Use 1-2 times daily, focusing on oily areas
Avoid rubbing skin harshly when applying. Gently pat toner into skin instead. Wait for it to fully absorb before layering other products.
Toners help remove excess oil, dirt, dead skin cells, makeup residue after cleansing. They also shrink the appearance of pores, control acne breakouts, soak up excess sebum and create a matte, shine-free complexion when used regularly.
Use an oil control toner after cleansing your face twice a day – once in the morning and again before bedtime. You can also use it after exercise or whenever needed to mattify oily shine. Focus toner on your T-zone area.
While toners help control excess oil, skipping moisturizer entirely can make your oily skin produce even more sebum and become dehydrated. Look for an oil-free gel moisturizer specifically created for acne-prone skin instead.
Some good Korean toner options for oily skin include:
These provide oil control, hydration, pore tightening and gentle exfoliation benefits tailored to oily, acne-prone skin without drying. Start slow if new to chemical exfoliant toners.
Yes, using an oil control toner is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin types. Toners help remove excess oil, sebum, makeup residue and debris to prevent clogged pores after cleansing. They balance pH levels, tighten pores to control shine, soak up greasiness, and prevent acne breakouts when used regularly. Just avoid alcohol-based formulas.
Some easy homemade toner options suitable for oily skin include:
These natural ingredients help control excess sebum without disrupting moisture barriers. Use clean utensils and don’t store longer than a week.
Yes, pore tightening or minimizing toners are excellent for oily, acne-prone skin. They work to temporarily tighten the appearance of enlarged pores that get congested easily and lead to blemishes. Tightened pores also control excess sebum on the surface for a shine-free complexion. Just ensure the formula doesn’t contain alcohol which could worsen breakouts.
In conclusion, the best toner for keeping oily, acne-prone skin clear should combine oil control, clarifying ingredients, hydration and soothing properties to treat issues without causing irritation or dryness. Compare different formulations catered for your specific needs. Overtime, finding the right toner makes a big difference in balanced, healthy-looking skin.
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