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A bevvy of skincare products strewn across your bathroom shelf may seem daunting at first glance, but we promise each one is formulated to perform a specialised function – much like your facial toner, whose significance is often disregarded. Chances are, you’ve skipped this skincare step one too many times, either because you’re contemplating its benefits, or because you’d like to steer clear of the stinging sensation that occasionally results upon application. But when it comes to oily, acne-prone skin, face toners go a long way to maintain the skin’s pH balance, minimise the appearance of pores, get rid of makeup residue, grime, and more. Scroll on to read all there is to know about facial toners and peruse Nykaa’s edit of the best ones for oily, acne-prone skin.
What Is A Toner & How Often Do You Need To Use It?
Gone are the days of potent alcohol-based toners that strip the skin of its oils. Enter water- and glycol-based formulations that hydrate and refresh your skin, all while removing dirt, grime, dead skin cells, and other impurities. Helping restore the natural acidic state of your skin, toners work as a prep for your pores and are incorporated as the second step of your CTSMS regime – at least once a day, if not twice. According to scientific literature published on NLM, subjects exhibited statistically significant improvement in acne-pertinent cases using a toner twice daily. Apply a few drops of toner on your cotton pad and swipe across your face and neck region. Alternatively, warm up the liquid in your palms and directly press on to the skin.
How To Choose A Toner For Oily Skin & Pimples
Oily skin is characterised by overzealous sebaceous glands. To address this concern, we recommend ingredients like zinc, salicylic acid, and niacinamide in toner formulations. These potent actives curb excess oil and help decongest pores – administering a balanced skin microbiome. According to a research paper published by MDPI, sebum production decreases significantly with the use of a suitable, oil-control toner within 4 to 6 weeks. Also, seek humectants in toners for oily skin and pimples, as the lack of moisture content in the skin also flags off the overproduction of sebum. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerine pull water molecules from the atmosphere and melt them into the skin.
The Benefits Of Using A Toner For Oily Skin
The weightless formulation helps minimise the appearance of enlarged pores, curbs blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, balances the skin’s pH levels, regulates sebum production, and soothes inflammation, among other benefits. Since oily, acne-prone skin types are plagued by hyperactive sebaceous glands, a toner comes to the rescue – curtailing excess greasiness and decongesting clogged pores. Besides, since most toners lend hydrating properties, they seldom dry out the skin. For oily skin, it is generally recommended to use toner up to twice a day, unless poorly tolerated by the epidermis.
The Best Toners For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin
While acid-based, oil-controlling face toners comprising AHAs and BHAs such as glycolic and lactic acid are apt for oily skin types, the gentle, hydrating variety, infused with hyaluronic acid or glycerin, lends a quick boost of hydration to dry skin. Below, shop Nykaa’s best toners for oily skin.
1. The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner
Key Ingredient: Tea Tree Oil
Infused with potent tea tree oil, Body Shop’s mattifying toner works to get rid of makeup residue, dirt, and grime in just a few swipes. A great pick-me-up for your skin, it leaves you feeling clean and refreshed, while visibly dwindling the appearance of pores. This bestseller product is 100% vegetarian and hasn’t been tested on animals.
2. Innisfree Bija Trouble Skin Toner
Key Ingredient: Natural Jeju Bija
Torreya seed oil from Jeju Island comes to the rescue! This fermented alcohol toner boasts 100% natural essential oils, as well as a 6-free system ensuring zero traces of synthetic colourants, parabens, mineral oil, animal-originated ingredients, and artificial fragrances. The natural salicylic acid in the formulation tends to your blemishes and lends exfoliating properties, too.
3. Plum 3% Niacinamide Toner With Rice Water - Vitamin B3 With Japanese Fermented Rice Water
Key Ingredients: 3% Niacinamide and Rice Water Extract
Suitable for all skin types but ideal for those with acne-prone skin, this alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and 100% vegan formulation promises to unclog pores in a jiffy. While the Holy Grail ingredient niacinamide fights blemishes, rice ferment and oat extracts lend anti-inflammatory and emollient properties for hydrated, supple skin – a claim corroborated by a distinguished paper on Practical Dermatology. The study cites a reduction in redness, texture, and fine lines with the use of this skincare workhorse.
4. LANEIGE Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner For Combination To Oily Skin
Key Ingredient: Blue Hyaluronic Acid
Replenish your skin’s moisture levels with Laneige’s Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner, which features 7th-generation hyaluronic acid boasting greater absorption. This toner gently exfoliates your skin, curtails excess sebum production, and also deeply moisturises and repairs. Plus, a 7-free formula promises zero irritation – a prerequisite for blemish-free skin!
5. Dot & Key Cica Niacinamide Anti-Acne Skin Clarifying Alcohol-Free Toner With Green Tea & Lactic Acid
Key Ingredients: Cica, Niacinamide, and Green Tea
Say hello to clear skin with Dot & Key’s offering…power-packed with super cica technology and plant bio-actives. A harmonious blend of cica, niacinamide, green tea, and lactic acid, among other ingredients, goes far in healing damaged skin, combating inflammation, and removing excess oil and dead skin – giving way to pH-balanced, clear skin. Cruelty-free, GMO-free, and fragrance-free, FTW!
6. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Key Ingredients: 7% Glycolic Acid, Tasmanian Pepperberry Derivative, Ginseng Root, and Aloe Vera
This alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free, nut-free, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free toning solution is a must-have for all skin types, barring those with super-sensitive skin. Tackling congestion, spots, and pores, this formula offers mild exfoliation and facilitates an even skin texture. Owing to the presence of a Tasmanian pepper berry derivative, expect to notice some colour variations, occasionally.
7. TONYMOLY Clarifying Wonder Rice Smoothing Toner
Key Ingredients: Fermented Rice Filtrate and Sugarcane, Grape, and Apple Extracts
This 5-in-1 hypoallergenic toner is imbued with fermented rice filtrate and fruit extracts that boost hydration and detoxify the skin. Mild exfoliation, courtesy of the fruit extracts, further ensures smoother skin texture.
8. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Beta Glucan, and Centella Asiatica
An unscented alternative to the original Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner, this formulation caters to customers who’d rather steer clear of potential allergens. Free of essential oils, it’s brewed with plant extracts, hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, and centella asiatica to nourish, hydrate, and soothe your skin.
9. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 4 (Toner)
Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel
Clinique’s dermatologist-approved toner – one of four types; each catering to a different skin concern – will nip your oily skin problem in the bud. Managing the overproduction of sebum and deeply unclogging your pores, this offering promises to keep unwanted zits at bay.
10. Minimalist 8% Glycolic Acid Toner For Glowing Skin (Toner for Body, Face, Underarms & Scalp)
Key Ingredients: Gluconolactone and Niacinamide
A Nykaa beauty bestseller, this PHA 3% alcohol-free toner balances your skin’s pH levels, all while tightening your pores and maximising hydration. The presence of prebiotics and probiotics promotes skin barrier function recovery, and gluconolactone offers up to 50% protection against UV radiation! Your skincare kit demands this lightweight formula for daily use.
11. Biotique Cucumber Pore Tightening Refreshing Toner
Key Ingredients: Cucumber, Coriander, and Peppermint Oil
My personal favourite – with a telling 4.3 rating on Nykaa, and over 62k reviews – Biotique’s Cucumber Pore Tightening Refreshing Toner keeps breakouts at bay, ideal for overly oily skin. A medley of cooling cucumber, coriander, and peppermint, the skin-soothing concoction tightens pores, eliminates dead cells, and lends antibacterial properties in a single swipe.
12. Re’equil Pore Refining Face Toner
Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel
Invite this alcohol-free toner to your skincare regimen for reduced redness, refined pores, and even skin texture. Formulated with witch hazel extract, the natural astringent also reduces the probability of blackheads and whiteheads propping up. The best part? It’s super safe for sensitive skin.
13. Pilgrim White Lotus Natural Face Mist & Toner r
Key Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Camellia, White Lotus
Meet this hardworking formula boasting the goodness of witch hazel, white lotus, and camellia to provide a hefty dose of hydration and rejuvenate tired-looking skin. Pilgrim’s Face Mist & Toner instantly tightens pores and is free of harmful chemicals for a skin-safe experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is toner any good for oily skin?
Oily skin types, in particular, benefit from the regular use of a toner, given it eliminates build-up and residue, dirt, and grime, all while balancing the skin’s pH levels. It also zaps excess sebum, leaving your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
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Which toner is the best for oily skin?
Aside from the ones listed above, Beauty Of Joseon’s Green Plum Refreshing Toner is best suited to oily, acne-prone skin. Clearing out congested pores via gentle exfoliation, the formula leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth with a healthy glow.
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Can I use a toner every day?
Yes, you can, as long as the formulation is well-tolerated by your skin. You can apply a toner after cleansing and before applying a serum up to twice a day. However, if your skin feels dry and irritated, stick to using it not more than once.
Ensuring that your skin remains supple and plump during muggy monsoons can be an uphill task – and that’s when these fast-absorbing formulas come to your aid. For instantly refreshed and rejuvenated skin, invest in Nykaa’s superior selection of facial toners pronto.
