6 Best Men’s Facial Toners for Oily Skin

Oily skin

Greasy skin

Shiny skin

What do these 3 conditions have in common? They all suck!

Oily skin is one of the most common, and most frustrating skin types to deal with. For oily skin sufferers like me, It can sometimes feel like no matter what you do, oil just keeps pouring out of those pores like a leaky faucet.

And to make matters worse, there isn’t anything we can do to permanently eliminate oily skin from occurring. It is in our genetics after all.

Thankfully all hope is not lost. Aside from using the right face wash for oily skin, there is another skincare product that us guys shouldn’t overlook when trying to beat oily skin into submission, and that’s facial toner.

What Does Facial Toner Do?

While facial toner offers a myriad of skin benefits, it really excels at 2 specific things: eliminating oily skin and fighting acne.

So if you’re one of the many men who battle oily skin on a daily basis, I highly recommend you give a good facial toner a try.

Besides eliminating oily skin and acne, here is a few added skin benefits of using a facial toner:

• It reduces the appearance of large pores
• It cleanses
• It helps protect the skin
• It helps nourish and hydrate
• It balances skin’s PH levels

With all the skin benefits of using a facial toner, I can totally understand why you might be kicking your own ass for not using one. Thankfully it’s never to late to start.

Read on for my list of best men’s facial toners for oily skin. Enjoy.

The Lineup:

• Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner
• Brickell Balancing Toner
• Anthony Purifying Astringent Toner Pads
• Natural Outcome Oily Skin Toner
• Proactiv Revitalizing Toner
• Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

6 Best Men’s Facial Toners for Oily Skin Reviewed

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Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner

Oily skin sufferers rejoice! This award winning Herbal Mint Toner (FHM Grooming Award) by Baxter of California absolutely screams premium quality, and it has the effectiveness to prove it. Known for their superior men’s grooming products, Baxter of California is one of my top go-to brands when nothing but the best will do for my skin. Their alcohol-free Herbal Mint Toner is designed to eliminate oil, minimize pores, cleanse, tone, brighten, and protect skin with the help of these natural ingredients: mint, cucumber, witch hazel, aloe, and vitamin E.

What I like about Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner:

• Eliminates oil

I have oily skin. Particularly on my nose, forehead, and chin area (t-zone). My favorite thing about this Herbal Mint Toner is how well it eliminates oil and shine without drying out the skin. 1-2 quick applications per day give skin a clean, oil-free, matte finish that lasts all day.

• Smells awesome

The awesome scent of this toner doesn’t come as much of a surprise. From my experience, all Baxter of California products smell great and this Herbal Mint Toner is no exception. The subtle minty fragrance smells fresh, clean, masculine and offers a nice invigorating pick-me-up during those early mornings.

• Easy to use

I’m all about simplicity. I like to take care of my skin, but the process has to be simple. Call me lazy, but I know damn well a lot of you guys are the exact same way. One of the things I really like about this Baxter of California Herbal Mint Toner is how simple it is to use. Simply squeeze the desired amount into your palm, work your hands together, and apply to your face. Simple as that. No cotton swabs, no cotton balls, no tissue needed. Easy.

• Looks awesome on display

This has absolutely nothing to do with the effectiveness of this toner, but I have to mention the fact that Baxter of California products always look totally badass in the bathroom. Their trademark blue bottles and minimalist labels add a look of masculinity, maturity, quality, and dare I say good taste, to any bathroom.

Recap:

• Eliminates oil
• Award winning
• Doesn’t dry out the skin
• Masculine fragrance

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Brickell Balancing Toner

If you’re unfamiliar with Brickell, they specialize in all-natural and organic based grooming products designed specifically for us men. They believe skincare products shouldn’t be full of synthetic chemicals when natural and organic ingredients are fully capable of being even more effective. Their alcohol-free Balancing Toner is seriously worth a look if oily skin is part of your daily struggles. Designed to unclog and minimize pores, refresh, soothe, hydrate, and of course, kick oily skins ass. Safely formulated with all-natural and organic ingredients, including: cucumber, witch hazel, peppermint, and aloe vera.

What I like about Brickell Balancing Toner:

• Natural and organic

One of the things that originally drew me to Brickell is the fact that they use all-natural and organic based ingredients in their products. I’m not a fan of putting impossible to pronounce, mystery chemicals on my skin (phthalates, anyone?) and I’m sure a lot of you guys share that sentiment. What’s more important though, is that their stuff actually works. When I used to hear the words natural and organic, I automatically thought “less effective.” When it comes to my experience with Brickell’s products, they have shown me that the exact opposite is actually true.

• Eliminates oil and shine

This is why you’re here right? One of my biggest draws to Brickell’s Balancing Toner is that it’s designed to eliminate oily skin and reduce unwanted shine with the help of witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that reduces oily buildup and helps keep shiny skin at bay, but unlike the alcohol found in most toners, witch hazel is a great alternative that doesn’t dry out the skin.

• Spray bottle

I’m all about convenience, and one of the things I really like about this Balancing Toner is the handy spray bottle that it comes in. Application simply requires a couple quick sprays directly onto your face and you’re done. I do however like to use my fingers to evenly distribute the toner into harder to reach places.

• Smells great

Cucumber and peppermint, how can you go wrong? Assuming you enjoy the light, fresh scent of cucumber and peppermint of course. Otherwise you’re going to fucking hate it.

Recap:

• Eliminates oil
• Doesn’t dry out the skin
• Natural and organic ingredients
• Spray bottle
• Smells great

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Anthony Purifying Astringent/Toner Pads

Who the hell ever said toner had to be in liquid form? Nobody, that’s who. Anthony Astringent Toner Pads kind of break the mold of what we have come to expect from men’s toner. These convenient pre-soaked pads are designed to eliminate oil, tighten pores, soothe, and refresh the skin. They also smell pretty damn good too. With 60 pads included per jar, these single-use astringent/toner pads are a super convenient and easy-to-use option for the home, or even men on-the-go.

What I like about Anthony Purifying Astringent/Toner Pads:

• Removes oil and mattifies skin

One of the primary functions of these astringent/toner pads is to remove excess oil and leave skin with a clean matte finish. Powered by witch hazel and Azeloglicina, these pads control oily skin and greasiness, while providing nourishment and hydration.

• Convenient pads

When it comes to my skincare routine, I’m all for the idea of convenience and simplicity. And that’s exactly what these Anthony Astringent/Toner Pads offer. The pre-soaked pads are quick and easy to use, and one is more than enough to get the job done per use. I also like that little bits of the pad don’t tear off and get stuck in facial hair like cotton balls tend to do.

• Awesome skin feel

Aloe and citrus mint provide a cool, tingling sensation to the skin that feels refreshing and satisfying. They also do a great job of eliminating oil, dirt, and even provide gentle exfoliation thanks to the textured pads. Skin is left feeling clean, toned, and fresh.

• Smells great

Like pretty much every Anthony grooming product that I’ve ever tried, these pads offer a satisfyingly good scent that smells masculine, clean, fresh, and subtle.

Recap:

• Eliminates oil
• Mattifies the skin
• Easy to use pads
• Exfoliates and smooths skin
• Masculine scent
• Great for travel

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Natural Outcome Oily Skin Toner

The name of this Toner from Natural Outcome is really on the nose, but that’s kind of the idea. Their goal is to take the guesswork out of purchasing skincare products by being blatantly obvious with the product name and packaging. As the name suggests, this toner is specifically designed for oily skin types and is loaded with natural ingredients that help combat the problem, including: grapefruit, lemon, and witch hazel. Aside from the oily skin beatdown that this toner delivers, it also helps fight acne, reduce pore size, hydrate, and also mattify the skin.

What I like about Natural Outcome Oily Skin Toner:

• Formulated with oily skin in mind

This is one of the few toners I’ve come across that’s primary function is to eliminate oily skin, and it has a bunch of natural ingredients that help it achieve this purpose, including:

• Grapefruit – Grapefruit naturally breaks down oils on the skin, cleans pores, and helps eliminate acne causing bacteria. It’s also high in vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acid to help protect and smooth skin.
• Lemon – Lemons break down oils, tone skin, reduce pore size, and are a high source of vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acid. They are also known for reducing dark spots and evening skin tone.
• Witch hazel – A natural astringent that helps eliminate oily skin, reduce pore size, fight acne, and doesn’t dry out the skin.

• Matte finish

No guy wants to walk around with an oily, greasy looking face. We also don’t want our skincare products to leave our face with a shiny sheen either. One of my favorite things about this toner from Natural Outcome is that it’s designed to eliminate oily skin while leaving your face with a all-day, shine free, matte finish.

• Anti-aging benefits

A toner that eliminates oily skin, fights acne, and fights the signs of aging? I’m down with that. Natural Outcome Oily Skin toner is formulated with key natural ingredients that help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, including:

• Pomegranate – Pomegranates are a natural source of ellagic acid, which is an antioxidant that is believed to reduce the breakdown of collagen and even help stimulate collagen producing cells called fibroblasts. Collagen is responsible for keeping our skin firm and plump but it’s production is known to decrease as we get older, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles.

• Aloe – Aloe has also been shown to increase collagen production in the skin and also helps with regeneration of collagen producing cells called fibroblasts. It’s also a natural moisturizer that hydrates the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Recap:

• Specifically designed for oily skin
• Natural ingredients
• Leaves skin with a matte finish
• Contains anti-aging ingredients
• Helps fight acne and blackheads

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Proactiv Revitalizing Toner

Proactiv has a long standing reputation as a highly effective acne treatment brand, and their alcohol-free facial toner doesn’t disappoint in terms of quality and effectiveness. Specifically formulated to eliminate oily skin, unclog pores, soothe, hydrate, balance skin tone, and even exfoliate dead skin cells thanks to these premium ingredients: witch hazel, aloe, glycerin, chamomile, allantoin, and glycolic acid.

What I like about Proactiv Revitalizing Toner:

• Eliminates oily skin

One of the primary functions of this Revitalizing Toner is to eliminate oily skin and reduce shine. The alcohol-free formula contains witch hazel to safely and effectively obliterate oil without stripping the skin of moisture. The end result is skin that’s oil free, smooth, hydrated, and has a shine-free finish.

• Exfoliates

One of the unique things I like about Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is that with repeated use, it helps exfoliate layers of dead skin with the help of glycolic acid. Not only does this reveal fresh, vibrant skin underneath, it also helps reduce the frequency of ingrown hairs from shaving.

• Soothes skin

Proactiv Revitalizing Toner is designed to soothe red, irritated, and inflamed skin, thanks to these botanical extracts:

• Aloe – A natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps soothe redness and irritation. It also has natural moisturizing properties.
• Chamomile – A natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antioxidant that helps reduce skin irritation.
• Allantoin – A natural plant botanical that is known to have healing, soothing, and anti-irritating properties.

Recap:

• Eliminates oil without over-drying
• Glycolic acid gently exfoliates
• Soothes skin
• Alcohol free
• Helps prevent acne and blackheads

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Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner

Founded all the way back in 1851, Kiehl’s has established themselves as a leader in the premium skincare industry. While the company itself is old as dirt, rest assured that they continue to innovate and improve their wide range of skincare products. Specifically formulated for oily skin sufferers, Ultra Facial Oil-Free toner is designed to kick oily skins ass without stripping it of essential nutrients. Enriched with imperata cylindrica extract and glacial glycoprotein, this alcohol-free facial toner leaves skin feeling clean, balanced, fresh, oil free, and hydrated.

What I like about Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free toner:

• Eliminates oil without stripping the skin

I get it, sometimes you just wanna beat the hell out of oily skin so bad, you don’t care what essential skin nutrients go with it. While I feel your pain, I encourage you to seek a less drastic approach. One of the great things about Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free toner is it’s ability to give oily skin the boot, while maintaining your face’s natural moisture levels. It leaves skin feeling smooth, soft, hydrated, and perhaps just as importantly, oil and shine free.

• Imperata cylindrica root extract

This plant is native to many of the earth’s deserts and is commonly found in the Australian Outback. It’s use in skincare products is growing due to it’s ability to provide moisture and hydration to the skin.

• Glacial glycoprotein (Antarcticine®)

I would be quite shocked if any of you guys were familiar with this ingredient. I certainly never heard of it before reading it on the label. Curious as to how this unique ingredient could offer any type of skin related benefits, I did a bit of research in order to unearth it’s secrets. As it turns out, glacial glycoprotein is derived from sea glaciers and is a macromolecule composed of a protein and carbohydrate. Kiehl’s adds it to their Oil-Free toner due to it’s ability to protect against dryness, hydrate skin, retain skin’s moisture, and protect against the damaging effects of free radicals. Powerful stuff.

• Fights acne

Not every guy has to deal with acne, but the fact is, oily skin sufferers are more susceptible to clogged pores which can lead to pimples and blackheads. One of the great things about this Kiehl’s Oil-Free toner is it’s ability to eliminate oily skin, unclog pores, and effectively reduce or eliminate acne. After reading countless user reviews from acne sufferers, I began to notice a trend: the use of Kiehl’s Oil-Free toner results in a significant improvement with acne and blackheads.

Recap:

• Eliminates oil without over-drying
• Moisturizes the skin
• Helps fight acne and blackheads
• Alcohol-free
• Helps protect the skin

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How to Properly Use Facial Toner

While most guys overlook the use of facial toner as part of their daily skincare routine, it’s actually one of the most beneficial products a guy can use on his face.

Part of the problem lies in the fact that most men don’t exactly know what toner is or how to properly use it.

While I covered the benefits of using facial toner at the beginning of this article, I now want to discuss how to implement it into your daily routine for optimum skin results.

Step 1 – Wash your face and neck

Toner is most effective when it’s applied to clean skin, so the first step in the process should always be washing your face. Check out my list of best men’s face washes for oily skin if you need help choosing a good face wash. As you would expect, the idea here is to remove dirt, oil, dead skin, and impurities. It’s important to unclog pores during this process so that the facial toner has the opportunity to penetrate and do it’s thing.

Step 2 – Apply toner to applicator

You can skip this step if using a spray toner, but most traditional toners require some sort of applicator when applying to the face. While cotton balls are the most common applicator to use, I personally hate them. Since cotton balls have the tendency to rip, shed, and tear in facial hair, I prefer to use these round cotton pads that I found on Amazon. I find they hold up much better, don’t get snagged on stubble, and don’t leave little bits of cotton in facial hair. Either way, whatever you choose to use, just make sure you aren’t over-saturating the applicator. It should feel damp, but not soaked entirely. You can always add more toner if needed.

Step 3 – Apply toner to face and neck

Now that your face and neck is clean and dry, it’s time to apply the toner. Use the applicator to gently apply the toner, and don’t forget the oily areas around your nose, eyebrows, hairline, and even behind the ears. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean you should neglect it. Also don’t worry about getting toner on your hair or beard, it won’t hurt.

That’s pretty much it. Nothing complicated, painful, or even time consuming. Considering how simple it is to implement facial toner into your daily skincare routine, there’s really no excuse for any guy not to use it on a daily basis.

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Thanks for checking out my list of best men’s facial toners for oily skin. If you found this article helpful, I suggest checking out my list of best men’s facial washes for oily skin. As always, If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or recommendations of your own, feel free to drop me a line in the comments section below.