Contrary to popular belief, oily skin still needs hydration. When oily skin is dehydrated, it overcompensates by producing even more oil. This means using the right products to balance your skin’s hydration levels is key. If you’re looking to add a hydration boost to your skincare routine, here are the best hydrating toners for oily skin.
Our Recommendations
1. Supple Preparation Facial Toner
Klairs Toner for Hydrating and Soothing
Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner
This gentle toner is packed with botanical extracts that work to nourish, moisturize, soothe, and balance the skin’s pH level.
This vegan and cruelty-free toner is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a gentle moisturizing toner to add to their routine. It contains beta glucan and centella asiatica extract, which both soothe irritation and redness, as well as hyaluronic acid, which attracts and locks in hydration.
Pros
- Gentle
- Hydrating
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
Cons
- Contains fragrant essential oils, which may irritate those with scent sensitivities
In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, this daily toner contains licorice root, which improves the appearance of uneven skin tone.
Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium EDTA, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Polyquaternium-51, Chlorphenesin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit/Leaf/Stem Extract, Beta-Glucan, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lysine HCL, Proline, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Acetyl Methionine, Theanine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Copper Tripeptide-1
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Centella asiatica in cosmetology"
Accessed Jan. 24, 2022. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Hyaluronic Acid"
Accessed Jan. 24, 2022.
2. SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
Etude House Toner for Soothing and hydrating
Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner
This gentle toner uses 97% naturally derived ingredients, which work to hydrate, soothe, and balance the skin while repairing skin damage.
This refreshing and lightweight toner is a great daily go-to for those looking for a gentle formula that soothes and hydrates. It features anti-inflammatory panthenol, which hydrates, as well as madecassoside (derived from centella asiatica), which repairs skin damage. It also contains nourishing and anti-inflammatory camellia sinensis leaf extract.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Hydrating
- Gentle
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin
This gentle toner is suitable for sensitive skin, and free of many common irritants, including fragrance, artificial colors, and parabens.
WATER, PROPANEDIOL, GLYCERIN, BETAINE, PANTHENOL, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, POLYGLYCERIN-3, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CARBOMER, MADECASSOSIDE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Centella asiatica in cosmetology"
Accessed Jan. 10, 2022. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations"
Accessed Jan. 10, 2022.
3. Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Paula's Choice Toner for Reducing Shine and Minimizing Pores
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
If you have oily skin, you likely want a toner that will help balance oil production. This toner helps to minimize the appearance of pores and reduce shine while lightly hydrating the skin.
Many toners meant for oily skin are harsh, and can actually end up stripping the skin of its natural moisture – which triggers the skin to produce more oil. This gentle toner actually hydrates the skin to balance moisture levels, while working to reduce oil production and minimize the appearance of pores.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
This toner contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which both restore the moisture barrier and hydrate the skin. It also contains niacinamide, which helps minimize the appearance of pores, as well as chamomile and burdock root extract, which soothe the skin.
Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 20, Adenosine, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Cholesterol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Oleth-10, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Skin hydration is significantly increased by a cream formulated to mimic the skin’s own natural moisturizing systems"
Accessed Aug. 6, 2021. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging"
Accessed Aug. 6, 2021.
4. Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
Paula's Choice Toner for Hydrating and Fighting Signs of Aging
Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner
This lightweight toner is packed with ingredients that hydrate and fight the signs of aging while also reducing the appearance of pores and minimizing redness.
This toner is excellent for normal to oily skin, as it helps renew and rehydrate the skin to minimize and prevent signs of aging without leaving a greasy finish. It also contains ingredients that soothe and calm the skin for an even, clear complexion.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Anti-Aging
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
The key ingredient in this toner is niacinamide, which has been shown to minimize the appearance of pores, reduce redness, control sebum production, minimize fine lines, and act as an antioxidant.
Water (Aqua), Glycerin (hydration/skin replenishing), Ethoxydiglycol (hydration), Niacinamide (skin-restoring), Acetyl Glucosamine (hydration/skin replenishing), Salix Nigra (Willow) Bark Extract (skin-soothing), Resveratrol (grape-derived antioxidant), Sodium Hyaluronate (hydration/skin replenishing), Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (skin-restoring), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (skin-restoring), Phospholipids (hydration/skin replenishing), Epigallocatechin Gallate (antioxidant), Carnosine (skin-restoring), Genistein (antioxidant), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract (skin-soothing), Adenosine (skin-restoring), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Citric Acid (pH adjuster), Polysorbate 20 (texture-enhancing), Butylene Glycol (hydration), Ethylhexylglycerin (preservative), Carbomer (texture-enhancing), Tetrasodium EDTA (stabilizer), Phenoxyethanol (preservative)
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. "The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production"
Accessed Aug. 6, 2021. -
National Center for Biotechnology Information. "How Much Do We Really Know About Our Favorite Cosmeceutical Ingredients?"
Accessed Aug. 6, 2021.
FAQs
What is the best Korean hydrating toner for oily skin?
If you want to try a hydrating toner from a Korean skincare brand, two great options to check out are the Etude House SoonJung pH 5.5 Relief Toner and the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner. Both of these lightweight toners contain ingredients that soothe and hydrate the complexion.
Is a toner essential for oily skin?
Regardless of skin type, a toner isn’t an absolutely essential part of a skincare routine. What everyone truly needs in their routine is a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. However, people with oily skin may choose to add a toner to their routine if they want a lightweight product that refreshes the complexion while targeting a specific skin concern (like hydration).
Should you use a toner everyday?
Toners are typically formulated to be safe for daily use, and many can even be used both in the morning and at night. That said, be sure to pay attention to the instruction label on the toner you’ve chosen, and take note of how your skin reacts to it. Some toners may contain higher concentrations of active ingredients that may not be suitable for daily use. With that in mind, hydrating toners typically contain gentle, non-irritating ingredients that are safe for daily application.
The Bottom Line
If you have oily skin, your complexion can greatly benefit from a hydrating toner. Consider adding one of our recommended hydrating toners to your routine to maintain a healthy and balanced complexion.