Top 10 Best Toners for Combination Skin: Tested and Reviewed

Combination skin can be tricky—it’s oily in some places (usually the T-zone) and dry or normal in others. That’s why finding the right toner is essential. A good toner for combination skin should hydrate dry patches, control excess oil, minimize pores, and balance the overall complexion.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best toners for combination skin that truly work. These products have been selected based on ingredients, user feedback, and their ability to treat both oily and dry areas effectively.

Let’s dive into the best options for keeping your skin balanced, fresh, and healthy.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
• Best for Sensitive Skin: Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
• Best for Acne-Prone Skin: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner – Best Overall

This toner is specially formulated for combination to oily skin types. It contains niacinamide, known for its pore-minimizing and oil-regulating benefits, and antioxidants like chamomile extract and burdock root that soothe inflammation and redness.

The formula also includes ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which hydrate drier areas of the face without overloading oilier zones. It’s ideal for users who struggle with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks.

Pros

• Balances moisture without making oily zones greasier
• Rich in antioxidants
• Niacinamide visibly reduces pore size

Cons

• Mid-to-high price range
• May not be hydrating enough for severely dry patches

Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner – Best for Sensitive Skin

This award-winning toner from Klairs is fragrance-free and made with amino acids, beta-glucan, and hyaluronic acid to nourish and strengthen the skin’s barrier. It balances pH, hydrates, and preps the skin for other skincare steps.

The lightweight, non-sticky formula is perfect for combination skin that swings between dryness and oiliness.

Pros

• Deep hydration without oiliness
• Unscented and suitable for sensitive skin
• Helps even out hydration levels across the face

Cons

• Not exfoliating—doesn’t target clogged pores
• May be too light for winter or extremely dry climates

COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner – Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Ideal for breakout-prone combination skin, this Korean toner contains salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (AHA) to gently exfoliate and prevent blackheads and whiteheads. Meanwhile, mineral water and botanical extracts offer hydration and prevent irritation.

This toner is great for oily T-zones while still maintaining moisture in drier areas. It comes in a mist format for easy application.

Pros

• Gently exfoliates to unclog pores and prevent acne
• Helps regulate sebum without over-drying
• Great for combination skin with mild breakouts

Cons

• Might sting on sensitive or peeling areas
• Not deeply moisturizing

Thayers Unscented Facial Toner – Best Drugstore Option

A well-loved classic, Thayers’ toner is a gentle, alcohol-free option perfect for soothing and balancing combination skin. It features witch hazel, a natural astringent that tones and tightens pores, and aloe vera, which deeply hydrates and calms irritation.

Additionally, rose water offers light hydration and a pleasant scent. It’s effective in minimizing oiliness without compromising the skin barrier of drier areas.

Pros

• Alcohol-free formula prevents dryness or irritation
• Naturally derived ingredients like aloe and witch hazel
• Great value and easily accessible

Cons

• Contains fragrance which may irritate sensitive users
• Not acne-targeted

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner – Best for Redness and Irritation

This high-end, alcohol-free toner is infused with real calendula petals, great burdock root extract, and allantoin. These ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory and calming properties, making the formula perfect for combination skin that often experiences irritation or breakouts in the T-zone and dryness elsewhere.

It helps remove residual dirt while restoring skin’s pH balance and prepping it for serums or moisturizers.

Pros

• Calms redness and soothes sensitive or acne-prone skin
• Alcohol-free and suitable for dry, flaky areas
• Made with plant-based ingredients, gentle for daily use

Cons

• Price is on the premium end
• Light scent may not be for all skin types

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution – Best Budget Exfoliating Toner

This powerful yet affordable toner uses 7% glycolic acid, an AHA that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, improves texture, and minimizes dullness—a common concern for combination skin.

Additional ingredients like Tasmanian pepperberry reduce inflammation, while ginseng root extract and aloe vera hydrate and calm the skin. This is especially helpful for oily T-zones and clogged pores, while still being gentle enough not to overly strip dry patches.

Pros

• Chemical exfoliant improves overall skin clarity and texture
• Budget-friendly with high-performing ingredients
• Adds glow while clearing pores

Cons

• Not recommended for sensitive or compromised skin
• Sun sensitivity increases—must use SPF

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner – Best Hydrating Toner

This luxurious toner blends rose fruit extract, rosewater, and hyaluronic acid to offer both hydration and pore refinement. It’s ideal for combination skin because it delivers intense hydration to dry patches while still helping control excess oil and shine in oily areas.

The infusion of rose petals gives a calming and antioxidant-rich effect, promoting even skin tone and a supple finish.

Pros

• Refines skin texture and reduces tightness
• Contains hyaluronic acid and rose extracts for a plump, fresh feel

Cons

• Premium product at a higher price point
• Contains fragrance

Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner – Best Basic Everyday Toner

An excellent drugstore option, this budget-friendly, alcohol-free toner gently refreshes the skin and removes leftover makeup and dirt. It doesn’t contain harsh actives, making it perfect for everyday use. While it doesn’t specifically target acne or wrinkles, it helps keep the skin clean and balanced—ideal for those new to skincare or with minimal concerns.

Pros

• Gentle and non-drying, suitable for all-day use
• Great for teens or beginners
• Affordable and accessible

Cons

• Lacks active ingredients like AHAs or niacinamide
• Basic formula with limited long-term skin benefits

Pixi Glow Tonic – Best for Dull, Uneven Skin

A cult-favorite, Pixi’s Glow Tonic is a brightening, exfoliating toner with 5% glycolic acid. It also contains aloe vera, ginseng, and fructose to hydrate and energize the skin. For combination skin, this toner helps eliminate dead skin cells and reduce oil build-up in the T-zone while still offering a softening effect on drier cheeks.

Pros

• Gently exfoliates and smooths skin texture
• Improves radiance and tone over time
• Alcohol-free and soothing

Cons

• Not suitable for daily use on very sensitive skin
• Contains fragrance

Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner – Best Multi-Tasking Toner

Formulated with aloe vera, salicylic acid, and snail mucin, this toner hydrates, soothes, and exfoliates in one step. It’s perfect for combination skin types that suffer from both oiliness and occasional breakouts, while the aloe and snail mucin provide deep healing and moisture to balance dry zones.

Pros

• Combines hydration and exfoliation in one formula
• Soothes irritated or acne-prone skin
• Snail mucin promotes skin repair

Cons

• Slightly thicker texture than most toners
• Not vegan due to snail mucin

What to Look for in a Toner for Combination Skin

Let’s break down which ingredients you should look for—and which ones you should avoid—to ensure your skin stays calm, hydrated, and happy.

Best Ingredients

Ingredient	Benefit
Niacinamide	Minimizes pores, balances sebum, and evens skin tone
Hyaluronic Acid	Provides lightweight hydration without clogging pores
Witch Hazel (Alcohol-Free)	Controls oil and tightens pores without drying
Glycerin	Attracts moisture to dry areas without heaviness
Aloe Vera	Soothes irritation and hydrates gently
Salicylic Acid (BHA)	Unclogs pores and reduces acne, especially in oily areas
Glycolic Acid (AHA)	Exfoliates dead skin, brightens dull spots, and improves texture
Green Tea Extract	Offers antioxidants and reduces inflammation
Snail Mucin	Repairs and hydrates while calming redness

Ingredients to Avoid

Ingredient	Why to Avoid
Denatured Alcohol / Ethanol	Strips the skin of natural oils, triggering more oil production or dryness
Synthetic Fragrances	Can irritate sensitive areas and cause breakouts
Harsh Astringents (like menthol or camphor)	Over-dry oily zones and cause flaky patches
High Concentration of Essential Oils	Can disrupt the skin barrier, especially for reactive skin types

When it comes to combination skin, the right toner can make all the difference. Choose based on your primary issue—dryness, oiliness, sensitivity, or acne—and stick to gentle, balanced ingredients. Your skin will thank you with a fresh, clear, and healthy glow.