The 11 Best Toners for Combination Skin, According to Experts

Best Overall

Innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Toner

$22 at Amazon $22 at Innisfree.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, green tea, vitamin B5 | Benefits: Hydrates, addresses greasiness, preps skin | Size: 5.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Innisfree is a Korean beauty brand you can count on for reasonably priced skincare that lives up to its claims. We're particularly fond of the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Acid Toner, a nonirritating, post-cleansing fluid that works especially well for folks with combination skin.

As the name suggests, it contains soothing green tea extract and the skin's favorite humectant, hyaluronic acid. The latter draws moisture in from the air and can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water. This toner also has vitamin B5, which can help balance oil production. We just wish the bottle wasn't glass so we could take it wherever we go without fear of it breaking.

Who It's For

We recommend this K-beauty toner for anyone with sensitive or dry skin, as well as those with oil-prone T-zones.

Best Budget

Thayers Witch Hazel Unscented Facial Toner

$11 at Amazon $11 at Target $11 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, aloe vera | Benefits: Balances, soothes, hydrates, minimizes pores | Size: 8–12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This toner has long been considered the tried and true standard in toners. It covers many bases for combination skin—and it won't run you more than 10 bucks. Its hero ingredient is witch hazel, which balances a greasy complexion, minimizes the look of pores and soothes irritation. Meanwhile, aloe vera hydrates and calms inflammation. We also like that the gentle formula is derived from 98% natural ingredients and is free of alcohol and fragrance (although there are fragranced options if you so choose).

Who It's For

If you're looking for an affordable, reliable formula that tackles multiple skincare issues, you can't go wrong with Thayers.

Editor's Pick

Joanna Czech Skincare The Toner

View on Joannaczech.com $55 at Neiman Marcus $55 at Bluemercury.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, watermelon fruit extract | Benefits: Hydrates, soothes, balances the complexion | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're in need of a total skin reset, this toner from skin expert Joanna Czech will give your complexion the balance and hydration it needs. Editor in chief Hallie Gould was experiencing a bout of super sensitive skin when she tried this formula (named the Best Toner in the 2024 Byrdie Beauty Awards), and it changed her skin back to normal in a matter of days. "This formula is specifically meant to hydrate, balance, reduce inflammation, and repair a stressed-out skin barrier," she says. "I've used it every day since." Included in the formula is hyaluronic acid, fruit extracts, minerals, and stabilized vitamin C to keep the skin nourished and protected from external stressors.

Who It's For

This is a great pick if you're skin is feeling especially inflamed or you suspect that your barrier is damaged, as it can restore it back to its best state.

Best Exfoliating

REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Tonic

$40 at Amazon $40 at Dermstore View on Renskincare.com

Ket Ingredients: Lactic acid, willow bark extract | Benefits: Treat dull skin, addresses uneven texture, promotes even skin tone | Size: 3.3–8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for a toner with all the chemical exfoliating power, Ready Steady Glow is here for you. It contains lactic acid (an acid exfoliator that can firm skin), willow bark extract, and a form of salicylic acid (beta-hydroxy acid or BHA which can help shrink the look of pores). These ingredients exfoliate by essentially dissolving dead skin cells to address dullness, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture. But we should note that chemical exfoliants are generally gentle on the skin, they might still be too intense for daily use.

Who It's For

This product is ideal for those who want to exfoliate a few times a week to address dullness, uneven texture, or hyperpigmentation.

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Murad Clarifying Toner

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, algae extract, vitamin E | Benefits: Tightens pores, balances oil production, soothes, hydrates | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Combination skin can often be acne-prone, particularly in those oily spots like on your T-zone. We love a clarifying toner (aka one that cleans away dirt and oil) for that and Murad's is one of the best. This no-nonsense toner leans on witch hazel and algae extract to absorb excess oil, tighten pores, and balance sebum production, while vitamin E soothes stressed skin and hydrates without clogging your pores.

Who It's For

Those prone to breakouts will appreciate how this toner absorbs excess grease and balances sebum production while hydrating the skin without overloading pores with moisture.

Best for Large Pores

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner

$26 at Amazon $26 at Dermstore $26 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Niacinimide, chamomile, ceramides | Benefits: Balances oil, minimizes look of pores | Size: 6.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The bad news: You can't actually change the size of your pores. The good news: You may be able to make them appear smaller and less prominent by keeping them from getting clogged with gunk and grime. We love this oil-balancing formula from Paula's Choice for that. Beyond making pores less noticeable, it contains antioxidants, chamomile, and ceramides that enhance, soothe, hydrate, and protect your complexion. While those ingredients should help make this work for sensitive skin, you might want to limit how much you use it if you're prone to irritation or dryness.

Who It's For

If you ask us, this oil-balancing formula from Paula's Choice is the best option minimizing the look of pores.

Best Natural

Weleda One-Step Cleanser & Toner

$11 at Amazon $15 at Target $20 at Macy's

Key Ingredients: Witch hazel, lanolin, essential oils | Benefits: Balances skin, clarifies, protects | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes, it's best to stick with a simple but foolproof toner, and that's this Weleda option to a "T." It has the hydrating power of a milky lotion and the clarifying properties of a classic toner. It contains witch hazel to balance and cleanse the skin without over-drying while lanolin (an emollient that locks in moisture) helps remove impurities and protect the skin barrier. Just a heads up, lanolin is derived from wool, so while this product is natural and cruelty-free, it's not vegan.

Who It's For

If you're partial to natural formulas without preservatives or synthetic fragrances, this one's for you (unless you're vegan or sensitive to essential oil).

Best for Dryness

Belif Aqua Bomb Hydrating Toner

$23 at Amazon $30 at Sephora View on Belifusa.com

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, baobab seed extract, beta-glucan | Benefits: Hydrates, addresses uneven texture | Size: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It's a common misconception that toners can't be hydrating, but Belif, another Korean skincare brand made us rethink that. The brand's Aqua Bomb Toner is perfect for combination skin craving a bit of hydration. It contains hyaluronic acid and baobab seed extract to keep moisture in your skin and smooth uneven texture. Meanwhile, beta-glucan is a mega-hydrator that also helps calm irritated skin and strengthen the skin barrier. Belif actually conducted clinical results, and 97.8% of participants said their dryness vanished after application.

Who It's For

We recommend this hydrating toner for combination skin craving moisture. It's also great for uneven texture and a compromised skin barrier.

Best for Sensitive Skin

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner

$48 at Amazon $48 at Sephora $30 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Calendula extract, allantoin | Benefits: Reduces redness, soothes, balances | Size: 8.4–16.9 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Since toners can be on the drying side, we recommend going with an alcohol-free one that relies on natural ingredients whenever possible. This gentle, alcohol-free toner from Kiehl's is just the thing for combination skin on the sensitive side. Its all-star ingredients include calendula extract and allantoin, which can help minimize redness and calm inflammation while providing hydration where you need it all while balancing oil production. We love it for acne-prone skin, especially since it's gentle enough to use every day. However, some might not appreciate the petal fragments in the liquid.

Who It's For

If your skin flushes easily, breaks out often, or reacts to a complex skincare routine, it'll appreciate this gentle, soothing toner.

Best for Uneven Texture

Tatcha The Texture Tonic

$62 at Amazon $35 at Sephora $62 at Kohls.com

Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, niacinamide | Benefits: Smoothes texture, exfoliates, reduces redness | Size: 2.5–5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Tatcha's aptly named Texture Tonic is formulated to smooth uneven texture to reveal a more radiant-looking complexion. It calls on glycolic acid (another AHA) to gently exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells, while niacinamide helps reduce redness and minimize the appearance of pores. It does contain alcohol though, so if you've got super sensitive skin, this one might be a bit much for you.

Who It's For

If you're dealing with rough, uneven skin or dryness in certain areas of your face, this resurfacing treatment will correct the issue.

Best for Mature Skin

Albion Flora Drip

$81 at Walmart View on Albiongarden.com

Key Ingredients: Herbal complex, kojic acid | Benefits: Hydrates, firms, refines, evens skin tone | Size: 2.7–5.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Believe it or not, toners can help skin look younger by evening out texture and minimizing fine lines. This Japanese essence is similar to a toner in that it's a liquid solution applied after cleansing. You can apply it with a cotton pad or just pat it onto clean skin. We like how the high-end formula (which contains fermented plants and pure white koji) works to firm and refine the skin to minimize the look of fine lines while delivering hydration and a more even-toned complexion over time. We do wish it didn't have such a strong fragrance though.

Who It's For

Perfect for mature skin, this hydrating essence offers firming and refining benefits while evening out your skin tone.