11 Best Toners for Combination Skin That You Need Right Now

Written by Anoushka Sinha, Skincare Coach & Writer
Updated on Feb 09, 2024
Best Toners for Combination Skin That You Need Right Now
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Combination skin is a mix of dry skin with frequent oiliness in your T-zone and if you are someone who is often found in conflict with their skin, maybe it's time to befriend the best toners for combination skin. Incorporating a suitable toner for your specific skin type is essential if desire and hope  for radiant and younger-looking skin. We all wish to look like peaches and cream and age like fine wine but the environment rains on our parade and makes our skin dull and dry. This is when the toner acts as the knight in shiny armor and balances the pH level of your skin while removing all traces of dirt, oil, and makeup and hydrating your skin.

Dr. Andrea Suarez, MD, FAAD, says, "Toners are a broad category of items that were once upon a time intended to help normalize skin barrier pH after cleansing because of the flimsy buildup that hard water caused. Nowadays, many toners contain glycolic acid to help exfoliate the skin and they also contain vitamins or antioxidants. Sometimes they may also have moisturizing ingredients that are helpful to restore the pH of the skin. Some also have alcohols which may be drying. So toners can be used according to their purpose for the skin."

Finding the best toner for combination skin, though, might seem challenging to begin with. Intense hydration and oil control, in addition to prevention of signs of aging, redness, and ever-so-dreadful acne, are necessary for combination skin. As good samaritans, we are here to help you tone your skin. We have scoured the skincare segments to find you the best in the market. 

11 Best Toners for Combination Skin

Thayers Natural Remedies Toner is the best facial toner for combination skin. It is gentle and is formulated without alcohol to moisturize, tone, and regulate the pH of the skin, which is vital to maintain healthy skin. This facial toner aids in diminishing the visibility of pores, and keeps oily skin in check, by removing any sheen on the face. It is made from ingredients that are 98% natural. It has a popular Alpha Hydroxy Acid called witch hazel, and nature's best remedy for skin issues— aloe vera. The toner is made using a traditional method (through maceration), using only water.  With just one application of this facial toner, the skin is prepped and hydrated for the rest of the day.

Pros
  • Alcohol-free
  • Unscented
  • Extremely hydrating
  • Contains natural ingredients
Cons
  • Witch hazel may irritate broken skin

Quick Tip

Apply Thayers Rose Petal Toner on cleansed skin using a cotton pad. Hydrating aloe vera soothes, while witch hazel tones. Dermatologist-recommended for a fresh, radiant complexion.

  • Best Natural Toner

    Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Facial Toner

    Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Facial Toner
  • Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Facial Toner helps to cleanse the skin and retain its natural moisture without irritating it. This mild facial toner without alcohol helps to recondition skin by gently removing pollutants. Additionally, it is non-comedogenic and prevents our skin from looking like the moon's craters. Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner can be applied to the face using a cotton pad or microfibre cloth in gentle upward strokes to leave your skin feeling clean and fresh. Use this cleansing face toner to finish your regular skincare routine and indulge in a little self-care at home every day and you'll be happy to see your skin looking radiant.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Moisturising
    • Alcohol-free
    Cons
    • Not for sensitive skin

    Quick Tip

    After cleansing, apply Neutrogena Alcohol-free Toner with a cotton pad. Gentle and refreshing, it preps the skin for moisturizer. Enjoy a clean, revitalized complexion.

  • Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner

    Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner
  • Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner lovingly nourishes your skin with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, both known to be moisture magnets. While it cleanses, tones, and refreshes, it also makes sure your skin feels good from within by enhancing its natural radiance. The witch hazel in the toner helps in getting rid of all the pollutants that don't belong on your skin. The best part is that the toner does not make your face feel sticky or tight. It is extremely lightweight and is transparent. You can wear this under makeup too. While we're already letting you in on the secrets, here's another one-- it has rosewater too!

    Pros
    • Sulphate-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Hand-harvested
    • Natural ingredients
    Cons
    • Not fragrance-free
  • Best Spray Toner

    InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner

    InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner
  • InstaNatural Vitamin C Toner is a power-packed formula that has witch hazel, lavender oil, geranium, oil, hibiscus extract, centella extract, and rosemary extract. If that incredible list of ingredients didn't manage to lure you into buying this, the fact that this toner comes in an easy-to-use spray form will certainly do the job. Regular use of this vitamin C toner will help moisturize the skin and maintain pH equilibrium. It will also reduce pores while conditioning the skin for more efficient absorption of skincare products and treatments. Unless you have been living under a rock, you already know that vitamin C is integral to healthy and younger-looking skin. It benefits the skin by diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and other age indicators. It is also the best spray on toner you can find.

    Pros
    • Tackles wrinkles
    • Brightens skin
    • Easy-to-use spray
    • Reduces signs of aging
    Cons
    • Sunscreen is mandatory
  • Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner

    Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner
  • Heritage Store Rosewater Facial Toner is one of the best toner for combination and sensitive skin as it is an ultra-hydrating skin product. It is specially sourced from the European Damask roses –the best of the roses– to hydrate, soothe, and brighten your skin for a healthy look. The toner also has vegetable glycerin and calming aloe vera making it a suitable product for dry to combination skin. This healing rose toner removes dirt, significantly reduces the appearance of pores and blemishes, and leaves skin looking young and vibrant. It is gentle enough for sensitive skin too as it offers deep hydration with sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid for perkier skin. If every skincare ritual felt this clean and fresh, it would definitely be a blessing.

    Pros
    • Clean formulation
    • No chemicals
    • Sustainable packaging
    • Contains Hyaluronic acid
    Cons
    • Has strong fragrance
  • Mario Badescu Toner

    Mario Badescu Toner
  • Mario Badescu Toner is a humble toner made with simple ingredients, best suitable for combination skin. It's basically rosewater with extra benefits and antioxidants. With each swipe of this toner, you would be turning the clock back for your skin, making it look brighter and cleaner. The toner also contains witch hazel, a popular exfoliator that can do wonders for your skin. It upholds its natural moisture and ensures that you feel fresh every time you use this on your skin. All you have to do is, apply this toner to your face twice a day after thorough cleansing with a cotton ball or pad. Be careful to avoid the area around the eyes.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • Alcohol-free
    • Paraben-free
    Cons
    • May trigger allergies
  • Dear, Klairs Supple Facial Toner

    Dear, Klairs Supple Facial Toner
  • Dear, Klairs Supple Facial Toner cleanses, moisturizes, and soothes sensitive and combination skin, and rejuvenates the skin's texture while preserving the ideal pH balance. The non-irritating, extremely moisturizing toner is produced from plant extracts and therapeutic components that are combined together for a mild solution. It can also be used on sensitive skin. Among the endless list of toners on the market, ingredients like beta-glucan and Centella asiatica set it apart. These substances rapidly soothe and relax the skin's sensitivity. They are good enough to replace a serum in your skincare routine if layered multiple times with your bare hands.

    Pros
    • Quick absorption
    • Enhanced hydration
    • Repairs dry skin
    • Can be used as a primer
    Cons
    • Multiple application required
  • CeraVe Hydrating Toner

    CeraVe Hydrating Toner
  • CeraVe Hydrating toner not only cleanses and hydrates but also delicately eliminates grime, oil, makeup, and impending pollutants, leaving a finish that is neither too drying nor too oily— the perfect amount of moisture that your skin needs. It contains three essential ceramides that help in repairing and maintaining the skin's uppermost layer. It also has hyaluronic acid to help keep the skin supple and plump. If that’s not enough the niacinamide in it helps in shrinking the pores and keeping the skin tight. CeraVe products are dermatologically tested and skin-friendly. This toner is also alcohol-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free. The toner comes in a transparent bottle that is so clear that if it did not have a label, anyone would mistake it for a bottle of mineral water.

    Pros
    • Contains niacinamide
    • Contains ceramides
    • Non-comedogenic
    • Fragrance-free
    Cons
    • Not a spray
  • Best For All Skin Types

    Minimalist PHA 3% Toner

    Minimalist PHA 3% Toner
  • Minimalist PHA 3% Toner contains Polyhydroxy Acids (PHA), which are the AHAs of the future. It offers moderate exfoliation without causing any skin irritation because it permeates the skin gradually. This toner by Minimalist contains mild acids that can be used every day (pH 4-4.5). The toner also has niacinamide that improves skin color and texture. Additionally, the toner also provides UV protection, which is always a plus. Prebiotics and probiotics present in the toner do the job of balancing the skin's microbiome and improving the skin's natural defenses. For intense hydration, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and others are put to work. This toner is incredibly light, functional, and affordable, and solves multiple skin woes in one swipe.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Tightens pores
    • Amino acids
    • All skin types
    Cons
    • Mild chemical scent
  • Best Korean Toner

    Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner

    Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner
  • Pyunkang Yul Facial Essence Toner is love in a bottle all the way from Korea. It is expertly created with 7 natural elements that are crucial to helping your skin restore its youth. The product soothes and protects your overworked, sensitive skin in just a jiffy. It can be applied to the face and body and we're sure you'll fall in love with it. It feels rich, infused with milk vetch root extract, the star ingredient of the toner which effectively moisturizes the skin by deeply seeping into it. It also has isoflavonoids and antioxidants that promote skin firmness. Additionally, active chemicals are concentrated into the product giving it a creamy consistency akin to an essence.

    Pros
    • Natural ingredients
    • Zero-irritation
    • Intense hydration
    • Dermatologically-tested
    Cons
    • Not lightweight
  • Isntree Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner

    Isntree Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner
  • Isntree Green Tea Fresh Hydrating Face Toner contains organic, non-irritating molecules to provide round-the-clock hydration. Applying this toner restores the balance of oil and moisture on the skin. The moisturizing formula will quickly penetrate the skin's outermost layer without blocking pores or leaving a heavy impression. The toner, as monikered, contains a heavy dose of Green tea extract (80%), natural blueberry and ginkgo treel extracts, hyaluronic acid, and centella asiatica extract. The green tea,sourced from Jeju Iisland, is rich in amino acids, minerals, polyphenols, and proteins, which can help calm irritated skin. Along with other substances, it contains the sebum regulating SeboCut Complexand hydrating MoistMax too in this unique formula.

    Pros
    • Hypoallergenic
    • All skin types
    • Non-irritating formula
    • Dermatologist tested
    Cons
    • Not transparent

    What to Look for When Buying Toner for Combination Skin

    Combination skin is often characterized by both oily and dry patches of skin, such as the T-zone, which runs from the top of your forehead down to the bottom of your nose and chin. Having said that, identifying the right products can be intimidating, as anyone with combination skin will attest. It's simple to tell our dry, normal, or oily-skinned friends apart because their skin distinction is not ambiguous, as it is with combination skin (we are not jealous). But, hey,  you have the best of both worlds, so to speak. To ensure we don't stimulate our sebaceous glands or anger the skin by stripping it of necessary moisture, here's what you need to be mindful of before buying a toner for yourself.

    Pro Tip

    Choose a toner with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and mild astringents such as witch hazel. Balance oil and moisture for a clear, healthy complexion.

    Balancing Formula
    In order to achieve maximum benefit, choose a skin-specific combination formula. By now, you have probably scoured the web and have a fair estimate of what should be on your must-have toners, but before you jump on the bandwagon, make sure the toners have any of the following words listed: purifying, balancing, clarifying, unclogging pores, etc. In contrast to toners for oily or dry skin, combination skin solutions are typically burdened with the double duty of moisturizing and exfoliating both the dry and oily areas respectively. So make sure your toner serves the purpose. 

    Alpha Hydroxy Acids
    For combination skin, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic or lactic acid, and azelaic acid are frequently a great asset in toners. Dermatologists have a lot of faith in gentle AHAs for exfoliating and controlling excess oil. Additionally, they might aid in preventing and reducing early signs of aging, brightening the complexion and providing an even tone to the skin. Salicylic acid is another ingredient you can look for if you have a lot of acne too. 

    Hydrating Ingredients
    You need a moisturizing product to keep dry areas under control in addition to balancing out your oily regions. If you have combination skin, you might need to work twice as hard to treat dry patches while preventing excessive shine and it can be achieved with the help of restorative elements, which also provide hydration. 

    Quick Tip:
    Toners can always be used before applying makeup, as they prep your skin. Based on the unique needs of your skin, think about incorporating an essential oil into your toner. While cassie oil can be used to treat dry skin, several citrus oils, including lemon, orange, and lime, have been proven to treat oily skin. Others, like carrot seed oil, have been shown to be effective in treating both dry and oily skin. Select the oil you believe will help you the best.

    The scales of yays and nays for the importance of toner in regular skincare are often oscillating because of the divided opinions of skincare enthusiasts and dermatologists. But, ultimately, your personal skincare needs and concerns will determine everything. Toners are fantastic for folks who want to address specific skin issues and give their skincare routine a little extra strength. Toners have a wide array of benefits, including cleansing extra products, grime, or sebum, balancing the pH levels of your skin, and preparing the skin for other treatments in your regimen. If you want to add a toner to your regimen, start with one of the best toners for combination skin listed above.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Toners, that we often skip, hold a great value in our skincare routine. They take the upper hand at balancing the pH level of your skin and maintaining the hydration level before you put on your moisturizer. But, combination skin beauties have their own struggles for having oily skin mostly around the t-zone while a dry skin around the different part of the face. Keeping this in mind, our skincare expert, Anoushka, has rounded off these toners based on reviews, ingredients, formula, and application process. And, we are quite sure that her picks will definitely give you the best results!

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Anoushka Sinha
    Skincare Coach & Writer

    Anoushka is certified in Professional Skincare and is a Mass Media (Journalism) graduate from Mumbai University. As a More