From overnight masks to facial oils and everything that has niacinamide in its ingredient roster, it’s little surprise toners get somewhat neglected where our skin care routine is concerned. We get it; after all, they can’t offer glitter-laden, glass-skinned selfies, and the application is somewhat anti-climactic.

The best toner for oily skin in 2021

When it comes to oily skin types however, you should add the best toners for oily skin in your arsenal, as it is plays a vital role in providing skin with numerous benefits that range from balancing our skin’s pH levels to enhancing the glow-inducing efforts of the rest of your skincare products.

If you think we’re asking you to keep shine at bay with what’s basically alcohol in a skincare bottle, you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, oily skin toners have come such a long way from when we slathered our faces with rubbing alcohol back in the day.

woman-applying-toner

Now these modern grease-busting, pore-cleansing formulas are gentler but a whole lot more effective, thanks to a host of both natural and man-made ingredients that will unclog pores, get rid of excess sebum, and tamp down the oiliness without drying your skin out while supporting healthier skin turnover.

Why do you need a toner for oily skin?

Sure, quick fixes like blotting papers and setting powders are great in a pinch but if you want to prevent that dreaded-yet-inevitable shine from taking over your face, consider a high-quality toner your oily skin’s new partner in crime.

If midday shine has got you down (and it’s only 10am), these best toners for oily skin may be exactly what you need. You can thank us later.

Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-kiehls-blue-astringent-herbal-lotion

Originally developed in 1964, this iconic multi-purpose toner can be used all over or as a spot treatment if you only have a few oily spots you want to treat, like your T-zone, for example.

Don’t be surprised if your husband steals this from you, its blend of camphor, menthol, and sodium PCA also works great as a post-shave treatment to soothe skin and prevent razor discomfort.

Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion retails for RM95 (250ml) and RM160 (500ml) at all Kiehl’s stores and online.

Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-Dr-Andrew-Weil-for-Origins-Mega-Mushroom-Relief-and-Resilience-Soothing-Treatment-Lotion

Got sensitive skin and dealing with excess oil and sebum at the same time? We get it, it’s an endlessly frustrating and vicious cycle of acne, redness, and pigmentation.

Packed with reishi mushroom, sea buckthorn and fermented chaga, this is one of the best toners for oily skin out there for soothing and solving all of the aforementioned skin woes, making it especially beneficial for those with oily and sensitive skin.

Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion retails for RM99 (100ml) and RM168 (200ml) at all Origins and Sephora stores, as well as online at sephora.my.

Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-Medicube-Zero-Pore-Pad-2.0

This convenient tub of dual-textured toner pads help to exfoliate dead skin cells, clear away trapped impurities, regulate sebum, and tighten pores with an AHA fruit complex. Moisturising agents in the formula help provide an irritation-free, hydrating toning solution.

Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 retails for RM100 on Shopee, but is currently sold out at the time of writing.

Pixi Glow Tonic

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-Pixi-Glow-Tonic

This gentle exfoliating toner doesn’t get its cult status for nothing; after all, more than 7,000 users have rated the glow-inducing formula 4.5 stars on Google Reviews for its ability to refine texture as well as reduce acne and the appearance of pores with a blend of botanical extracts, including aloe vera and ginseng to soothe sensitive skin.

Feeling a little afraid of the word “glow” in the product name? Don’t be, for your complexion will look refreshed rather than overly dewy or even oily. If you need proof that it works even on sensitive, acne-prone skin, check out our writer’s honest review here.

Pixi Glow Tonic retails for RM35 (15ml), RM70 (100ml), and RM145 (250ml) at all Sephora stores and on sephora.my.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-clinique-clarifying-lotion-3

Widely regarded as one of the best toners for oily skin worldwide, this signature bottle of dermatologist-developed pink toner is a miracle worker for oily and combination skin types. Made with salicylic acid, it sweeps away pollution and grime while sloughing away dulling flakes effectively to reveal smoother, clearer skin without any stinging or burning sensation.

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 retails for RM100 (200ml) and RM168 (400ml) at all Clinique and Sephora stores as well as online at sephora.my.

Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-Mario-Badescu-Witch-Hazel-and-Rosewater-Toner

Boasting natural astringent properties with its two key ingredients, this is considered by many as the best toner for oily skin as it helps ensure surface impurities are removed without stripping the skin dry while replenishing skin with soothing hydration and an antioxidant boost with a blend of aloe vera, black rose, and rose oil.

Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner retails for RM65 at all Sephora stores and on sephora.my.

Laneige Fresh Calming Toner

best-toner-for-oily-skin-malaysia-Laneige-Fresh-Calming-Toner

Heralded by K-beauty lovers as the best toner for oily skin, this fragrance-free formula is purported to only contain 10 essential ingredients, including antioxidant-rich natural litchi extract and deep sea water, to help re-balance the skin’s oil and moisture levels while soothing and moisturising skin.

Laneige Fresh Calming Toner retails for RM120 at all Laneige stores as well as online at Hermo, and Zalora.

Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner

Herbivore-Botanicals-Jasmine-Green-Tea-Balancing-Toner

Vegan and cruelty-free, this Instagram-friendly mint-green mist is specifically formulated to treat oily, acne-prone complexion with a powerful clarifying and hydrating lineup of green tea, witch hazel, aloe vera, ginger root, and white willow bark that’s infused with soothing organic jasmine flower.

Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner retails for RM169 at all Sephora stores.

Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist

allies-of-skin-molecular-saviour-probiotics-repair-mist

Featuring an alcohol-free aloe-rosewater base that’s supercharged with probiotics, antioxidants, colloidal silver, and silk amino acids, this skin-repairing mist formula can be used in the morning, at night or throughout the day on stressed, thirsty skin to refine pores, get rid of skin dullness, and provide a good dose of healing hydration and antibacterial protection.

Allies of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist retails for RM271 on sephora.my.

Dr. Roebucks Lifesaver Skin Brightening Toner

Dr-Roebucks-Lifesaver-Skin-Brightening-Toner

Redness, uneven skin tone and clogged pores won’t stand a chance with this antioxidant-rich formula that cleanses and soothes with an AHA-infused cocktail of aloe vera, grapefruit and peppermint oils.

Dr. Roebucks Lifesaver Skin Brightening Toner retails for RM109 at Sephora.

Related: Blackhead removal and blackhead prevention are going to be so much easier after reading this article

Gallinée Face Vinegar Toner

Gallinee-Face-Vinegar-Toner

This gentle liquid formula is enriched with purifying hibiscus vinegar and balancing prebiotics to help minimise the appearance of pores and even out your complexion. Smooth and dewy skin, here we come!

Gallinée Face Vinegar Toner retails for RM120 on sephora.my.

Murad Clarifying Toner

Murad-Clarifying-Toner

Just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean your toner should dry you out – all you really have to do is find the best toner for oily skin like this one here. The oil-fighting toner delivers a major dose of soothing hydration with cucumber and algae extracts while neutralising sebum and impurities with pore-minimising witch hazel.

The result is squeaky clean, mattified skin and we’re totally here for it.

Murad Clarifying Toner retails for RM152 at all Murad stores and authorised facial salons as well as online at the official Murad website, Lazada, Hermo, and Zalora.

Ferrarossa Pore-fect Glow Gel Toner

Ferrarossa-Pore-fect-Glow-Gel-Toner

This gel-based toner melts into oily, acne-prone skin to unclog dirt and impurities, calm skin sensitivity, reduce dark spots with a slew of plant extracts so that skin is left hydrated and brightened.

Ferrarossa Pore-fect Glow Gel Toner retails for RM79 on the BeautyHearts website.

Saturday Skin Pore Clarifying Toner

Saturday-Skin-Pore-Clarifying-Toner

This concoction of 10% glycolic acid, witch hazel, tea tree oil, and red clover offers effective pore control and texture-refining actions to keep shine at bay and give you a smoother, clearer complexion.

Saturday Skin Pore Clarifying Toner retails for RM130 on sephora.my.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Facial Toner

Fresh-Umbrian-Clay-Purifying-Facial-Toner

Ask anyone the one ingredient that’s excellent at absorbing excess sebum, and chances are the answer is clay, which is the star ingredient in this best toner for oily skin.

Together with the proprietary mineral-rich Umbrian clay, a combination of sandalwood, cinnamon bark, burnet root, and lavender floral water draws out impurities, absorbs excess oil and purifies – all without drying it out.

Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Facial Toner retails for RM158 at all Sephora stores and on sephora.my.

Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner

Sunday-Riley-Martian-Mattifying-Melting-Water-Gel-Toner

Another clay-based formula, this gel-to-water toner features bentonite clay that’s fused with witch hazel, manuka, black cumin, and magnolia bark extracts to balance and clarify oily, acne-ridden skin to a clearer, smoother, and shine-free complexion.

Marshmallow, green tea, and cucumber help calm and tone the skin while allaying signs of redness. Another bonus? It also helps to keep foundation set all day.

Sunday Riley Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner retails for RM103 on sephora.my, but is currently out of stock at the time of writing.

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner

Caudalie-Vinopure-Purifying-Toner

If your oily skin is looking dull and patchy, let this purifying toner come to the rescue and turn it around. Thanks to 100% natural salicylic acid, it acts like a vacuum for your pores, sucking out gunk and dead skin cells while controlling future breakouts and blackhead formation.

The addition of grape polyphenols, organic essential oils, and grape water helps to moisturise and soothe skin as well as give it a boost of natural antioxidant benefits.

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner retails for RM99 at all Caudalie boutiques and online at Ken’s Apothecary.

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

Paulas-Choice-Skin-Balancing-Pore-Reducing-Toner

Need some help dealing with enlarged pores? This skin-balancing toner is going to be your skin’s difference maker with its combination of antioxidants and ceramides that helps to tone down oiliness and shine while evening out the skin tone.

The formula also uses chamomile and burdock to soothe inflammation and provide antioxidant benefits, and is chock full of hyaluronic acid to offer lightweight moisture and improve skin’s moisture barrier. With so much skin goodness packed in one bottle, we’re not surprised why this is the best toner for oily skin.

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner retails for RM120 on the Paula’s Choice website.

Shiseido Waso Fresh Jelly Lotion

Shiseido-Waso-Fresh-Jelly-Lotion

White jelly mushroom is treasured by the Japanese for generations as one of the foods for beautiful skin. Thanks to its ability to hold water and bounce back easily into its plump state like a sponge, it’s made the star ingredient of this alcohol-free, gel-to-liquid softening lotion.

While mattifying the skin and shrinking the look of pores, the formula is also powered by Phyto Resist System+ to infuse rich hydration and strengthen the skin for an overall healthier looking complexion.

Shiseido Waso Fresh Jelly Lotion retails for RM115 at all Shiseido boutiques as well as online at Lazada, Hermo, and Zalora.

La Mer The Oil Absorbing Tonic

La-Mer-The-Oil-Absorbing-Tonic

Another cult favourite, this refreshing toning solution is infused with shine-balancing algae extracts and the brand’s proprietary Deconstructed Water to help moderate excess oil, diminish the appearance of pores, and re-balance the skin.

La Mer The Oil Absorbing Tonic retails for RM385  at all La Mer counters. La Mer also offers exclusive home concierge service nationwide, click here for more information.

Related: Some By Mi Bye Bye Blackhead review: Is it really the wonder cleanser we all need to get rid of blackhead once and for all?