20 Best Alcohol-free Toner for Combination Skin

What is Combination Skin?

Combination skin is a skin type characterized by having both oily and dry areas on the face. In most cases, the T-zone, which includes the forehead, nose, and chin, is more prone to oiliness, while dry areas usually persist around the cheeks, jaw area, and along the hairline. Stick till the end of this article to find out more about the best alcohol free toner for combination skin.

Causes of Combination Skin

Several factors can contribute to combination skin, including genetics, seasonal climate changes, and the use of inappropriate skin care products. Some of the factors that can trigger combination skin include:

1. Overproduction of skin oil or sebum
2. Use of harsh or irritating skincare products
3. Seasonal changes in climate

How to take good care of Combination Skin

Combination skin can be challenging to manage because it requires addressing both excess oil and dryness. The following are some of the tips to help maintain healthy and glowing combination skin:

1. Wash your face with a cleanser every day: Use a gentle, water-soluble cleanser, such as a creamy foaming face wash or gel cleanser, to remove impurities, debris, and makeup without leaving the skin feeling tight, dry, or greasy.

For extra cleansing, use an emollient cleansing balm to break down makeup and sunscreen before using a water-soluble cleanser to whisk all debris away.

2. Use a clay mask: Clay masks have absorbent properties that can soak up and trap excess oil on the skin’s surface and inside the pore. This helps reduce the shiny look of oily areas, especially on the forehead. Apply an oil-absorbing clay face mask after cleansing to affected areas.

3. Apply toner: Use a hydrating, soothing, and non-irritating toner filled with a healthy amount of skin-replenishing ingredients and antioxidants.

A well-formulated toner for combination skin helps nourish dry skin and minimize oiliness without making the dry areas drier or the oily areas oilier.

4. Try exfoliating: Use a gentle, non-abrasive, leave-on BHA exfoliant to effectively exfoliate combination skin. A BHA exfoliant helps skin shed dead cells without abrasion, unclogs pores, lessens oily skin, and gently smooths rough, dry, flaky skin.

5. Use moisturizer: Moisturize and protect the skin from sun damage. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or greater every day of the year to reduce the early signs of aging. A feather-light formula is ideal for combination skin.

Use a night-time moisturizer with a gel or serum-like texture that contains antioxidants, skin-replenishing ingredients, and skin-restoring ingredients to help calm skin, lessen excess oil on the skin’s surface, and improve dry areas, including around the eyes.

How Alcohol-Free Toners Help Restore pH Balance in Combination Skin

Alcohol-free toners are becoming increasingly popular for their ability to restore the pH balance of combination skin. Combination skin is a skin type that has both oily and dry areas, which can make it difficult to manage.

Toners are a great addition to any skincare routine, but not all toners are created equal. Alcohol-free toners are specifically designed to restore the pH balance of combination skin without causing irritation or dryness.

The pH level of the skin is an important factor in maintaining healthy skin. The skin has a slightly acidic pH balance of 4.5 to 5.5, which helps to protect it from harmful bacteria and other environmental factors. However, using harsh products like soap and toners with high alcohol content can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt its pH balance.

This is where alcohol-free toners comes in. These toners are formulated with ingredients that are pH-balanced and gentle on the skin. Ingredients like witch hazel, chamomile, and aloe vera work together to soothe and hydrate the skin without causing dryness or irritation. Witch hazel, for example, is a natural astringent that helps to reduce inflammation and redness, while chamomile and aloe vera are known for their calming and soothing properties.

Alcohol-free toners work by helping to restore the skin’s natural pH balance. By applying the toner after cleansing, the skin’s pH balance can be restored to its optimal level. This helps to improve the overall health of the skin and reduce the risk of breakouts and other skin irritations.

Key Ingredients to Look for in Alcohol-Free Toners for Combination Skin

• Witch hazel – a natural astringent that helps to reduce inflammation and redness.
• Chamomile – known for its calming and soothing properties, it helps to reduce skin irritations.
• Aloe vera – a natural moisturizer that helps to soothe and hydrate the skin.
• Green tea – a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
• Rosewater – helps to soothe and hydrate the skin, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Cucumber – has cooling properties and helps to reduce puffiness and redness.
• Niacinamide – helps to improve the skin’s texture and reduce the appearance of pores.
• Hyaluronic acid – a natural humectant that helps to hydrate and plump the skin.
• Vitamin C – a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten and even out skin tone.
• Salicylic acid – a gentle exfoliant that helps to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of acne.

How to Add Alcohol-Free Toner into Your Skincare Routine for Best Results

Incorporating alcohol-free toner into your skincare routine can help to restore the pH balance of your skin and improve its overall health and appearance. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate alcohol-free toner into your skincare routine for best results:

1. Start with a clean face: Use a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, dirt, or oil from your face.

2. Pat your skin dry: Use a clean towel to pat your skin dry, being careful not to rub or tug at your skin.

3. Apply the toner: Apply a small amount of alcohol-free toner to a cotton pad or your fingertips and gently pat it onto your face, focusing on your T-zone, which is typically the oiliest part of the face.

4. Let it absorb: Allow the toner to absorb into your skin for a few seconds before moving on to the next step.

5. Follow up with your serum or moisturizer: Once the toner has absorbed into your skin, follow up with your serum or moisturizer to help lock in the hydration.

6. Apply sunscreen: Finish off your routine by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

20 best alcohol-free toners for combination skin

1. Thayers Witch Hazel Toner: This toner contains witch hazel extract, a natural astringent that aids in the reduction of inflammation and redness.

• Pros: affordable, natural ingredients.
• Cons: Some users find the scent too strong.

2. Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner: Contains calendula extract, known for its soothing properties.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: expensive.

3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner: This product contains salicylic acid to help unclog pores and reduce the appearance of acne.

• Pros: good for acne-prone skin.
• Cons: It can be drying.

4. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: Exfoliates and brightens the skin with glycolic acid.

• Pros: affordable, effective for uneven skin tone.
• Cons: It can be irritating for some users.

5. Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner: hydrates and soothes the skin with rosewater.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: expensive.

6. Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Contains salicylic acid to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of blackheads.

• Pros: effective for acne-prone skin, non-irritating.
• Cons: It can be drying for some users.

7. Veet Gold Cleansing Toner: brightens and hydrates skin while removing dark spots, pimples, blackheads, and blemishes.

• Pros: Made with natural ingredients and SPF 15 to protect the skin.
• Cons: May not work as fast as some users prefer.

8. Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner – Contains witch hazel and rosewater to soothe and hydrate the skin.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: Some users find the scent too strong.

9. Olay Oil Minimizing Clean Facial Toner – Contains Witch hazel and Aloe leaf extract to nourish and balance the skin surface pH levels.

• Pros: replenish and nourish the skin.
• Cons: It is not available in some countries.

10. Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner: Contains salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids to exfoliate and reduce oiliness.

• Pros: great for combination or acne-prone skin.
• Cons: It can be drying for some users.

11. Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner: Brightens and soothes the skin with licorice root extract.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: It may not be effective for severe acne.

12. Origins United States Balancing Tonic: Contains witch hazel and mint to balance and soothe the skin.

• Pros: refreshing and cooling, suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.
• Cons: It can be drying for some users.

13. Skin Doctor toner: is formulated with potent ingredients to brighten the complexion and eliminate skin spots.

• Pros: Gets rid of skin irritation and fades away blemishes.
• Cons: Does not contain sunscreen.

14. L’Oreal Paris HydraFresh Toner: hydrates and soothes the skin with pro-vitamin B5.

• Pros: inexpensive, gentle, and hydrating.
• Cons: may not be effective for severe acne.

15. Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner: Hydrates and exfoliates the skin with squalane and salicylic acid.

• Pros: effective for reducing pore size, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: expensive.

16. Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner: Hydrates and soothes the skin with hyaluronic acid and plant extracts.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: It may not be effective for severe acne.

17. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner: Soothes and hydrates the skin with milk vetch root extract.

• Pros: lightweight and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: It may not be effective for severe acne.

18. Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner: Soothes and exfoliates the skin with aloe vera and salicylic acid.

• Pros: gentle and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: It may not be effective for severe acne.

19. Whamisa Organic Flowers Deep Rich Essence Toner: Hydrates and nourishes the skin with fermented plant extracts.

• Pros: natural and hydrating, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: expensive.

20. Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Skin: Contains green tea extract to balance and soothe the skin.

• Pros: affordable and gentle, suitable for sensitive skin.
• Cons: It may not be effective for severe acne.

Final Thought

Combination skin is a skin type that requires special attention and care to manage both excess oil and dryness. Understanding the causes of combination skin, such as genetics, harsh products, and seasonal changes, can help in developing an effective skincare routine.

The use of alcohol-free toners can help to restore the skin’s pH balance without causing irritation or dryness. It is important to choose toners with the right ingredients and to use them consistently for the best results.