It's sometimes hard to find the right skincare products for combination skin. Some formulas are too heavy for your oily areas or not moisturising enough for your dry ones. Having a toner made for combination skin can make all the difference. These combine the oil-controlling effect of formulas for oily skin with sufficient hydration for the normal to dry areas of the face.
What to look for when shopping for a toner for combination skin
Look for both hydration and exfoliation in your toner for combination skin.
The keywords you're looking for are "balancing", "purifying", and "clarifying". Search for claims such as exfoliating and hydrating. Exfoliating ingredients such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids help unclog pores from excess sebum and other impurities. Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid will help banish dry, textured areas.
Now that you know what to look for, check out the best balancing toners for combination skin that you can readily find in Singapore.
1. Hada Labo Blemish & Oil Control Hydrating Lotion
Hada Labo Blemish & Oil Control Hydrating Lotion. (hadalabo.com.sg)
This pH-balanced toner is formulated with Hatomugi, Bishop’s weed and chamomile flower extracts to calm redness and irritation as well as control any blemish-causing bacteria. It also deeply hydrates the skin with hyaluronic acid.
Why it's great: It's formulated to be low- to non-irritating upon introducing it into your regimen since its formula is free of fragrance, mineral oil and colourants.
It's available at Watsons, Shopee, and iShopChangi for SGD25.15 per 170ML.
2. CosRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Daily Toner
CosRX Refresh AHA BHA Vitamin C Daily Toner. (cosrx.com)
If your skin is prone to breakouts then consider picking up this toner for combination skin. It's powered by the brand's Golden-Rx Complex to revitalise your skin. It also contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acid or salicylic acid (BHA) to exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores and control acne-causing bacteria.
Why it's great: You can use it to lighten dark spots from previous breakouts since it also contains skin-brightening vitamin C.
You can find it in Singapore through Lazada and Watsons for SGD25.40 per 150ML.
3. Dr. Wu Mandelik Pore Refining Essence Toner
Dr. Wu Mandelik Pore Refining Essence Toner. (drwu.sg)
Does your skin lean to sensitive-prone? This acid-rich toner is gentle enough for daily use. It contains mandelic acid, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, and witch hazel extract that exfoliates the skin, minimises pores, and reduces sebum.
Why it's great: It's infused with glycerin, shea butter, and castor oil to nourish your skin.
It's available in Singapore on Lazada, Shopee, and Watsons for SGD54.90 per 150ML.
4. su:m37 Secret Balancing Toner
su:m37 Secret Balancing Toner. (sum37.com.sg)
If you're willing to invest in your toner, the su:m37 Secret Balancing Toner is a good option. It's a gel-type formula that stimulates the skin's cellular turnover to regulate oil production, retain moisture, and improve skin radiance, texture, and elasticity.
Why it's great: The brand also injected Ferm Balance technology into its formula to help with any redness and sensitivity.
You can get your hands on this toner through Lazada for SGD88 per 150ML.
5. Bio Essence Bio-Water Probiotics Dermatologically Tested Biome Balancing Solution
Bio Essence Bio-Water Probiotics Dermatologically Tested Biome Balancing Solution. (bioessence.com.sg)
This toner for combination skin harnesses the barrier-reinforcing powers of probiotics to improve moisture retention and Bio Water to minimise sensitivity. It also contains Bio Energy Complex that teaches skin to better repair, renew and replenish itself.
Why it's great: It also contains salicylic acid to remove dead skin cells that clog pores and cause breakouts and zinc to help control sebum.
You can find this at the brand’s website, Lazada and Watsons Singapore for SGD25.40 per 100ML.
6. d program Balance Care Lotion For Combination Skin
If you find that your skin is highly sensitive and in need of urgent soothing, the d program Balance Care Lotion For Combination Skin is infused with dipotassium glycyrrhizate. This ingredient is highly anti-inflammatory and soothes irritated skin. It also contains tranexamic acid that smooths out texture and prevents dark spots.
Why it's great: It's also made to diminish the appearance of visible pores, which it does by hydrating the skin and rebalancing oil production.
It's available at Watsons for SGD42 per 125ML.
7. OLE HENRIKSEN Balancing Force™ Oil Control Toner
OLE HENRIKSEN Balancing Force Oil Control Toner. (olehenriksen.com)
This toner combines three types of acids — salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids —as well as green tea, eucalyptus, algae (kelp) and Irish moss extracts in its Green Fusion Complex™ to bust excess oil and refine pores in one go. It's a gentle facial astringent for when you want to refresh your face post-cleansing.
Why it's great: It also has neem seed oil, which has been used in Ayurvedic medicine and can help address dryness and wrinkles.
It's available on Zalora, where it's priced at SGD76 per 195ML.
8. Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2 & 3
Clinique Clarifying Lotions 2 and 3. (clinique.com)
Clinique's Clarifying Lotion comes in five variations that are formulated for the different skin types. Lotions 2 and 3 are made for dry-combination and oily-combination skin types respectively. The derm-developed formula helps remove impurities like pollution particles, grime, and dead skin to reveal a more radiant complexion.
Why it's great: This toner contains hydrating, soothing, and antibacterial Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, hydrating sodium hyaluronate, and astringent witch hazel for a three-fold solution to combination skin woes.
Both are available at Sephora for SGD48 per 200ML and SGD78 per 400ML.
9. Tatcha The Texture Tonic
Tatcha The Texture Tonic. (tatcha.com)
Need to get rid of some rough texture? The Tatcha The Texture Tonic is packed with AHAs to exfoliate, and niacinamide and Japanese mugwort to help minimise the appearance of visible pores.
Why it's great: It also boasts a fragrant blend of sweet fennel and rosemary oil, which offer sebum controlling properties.
It's available at Sephora for SGD104 per 150ML.
10. Caudalie Vinoclean Moisturizing Toner
Caudalie Vinoclean Moisturizing Toner. (en.caudalie.com)
Makeup lovers will love this double-duty toner for combination skin. It moisturises the skin and acts as a makeup remover, so you can use it after your cleanser or during the day when you want to remove your makeup or control shine quickly. Its main ingredient is Caudalie's Vinolevure which provides soothing and hydrating action.
Why it's great: It's formulated with organic rose water that helps mattify the skin.
You can find it at Sephora, where it's available in two sizes: SGD20 per 100ML and SGD35 per 200ML.
11. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner. (glowrecipe.com)
Treat your skin to a watermelon shower with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner. It has watermelon extract which is known for its hydrating and soothing benefits, as well as its vitamins and amino acids that your skin will love. The toner also features cactus water that's rich in electrolytes and antioxidants. These two ingredients work together to keep your skin hydrated and supple.
Why it's great: It contains poly hydroxy acids (PHA), the gentle exfoliating sister to the well-known AHAs and BHAs.
You can find it in Singapore at Sephora for SGD26 per 40ML and SGD57 per 150ML.
12. INNISFREE Volcanic PHA Pore Refining Toner
INNISFREE Volcanic PHA Pore Refining Toner. (innisfree.com)
Find that your skin gets really shiny by midday? The INNISFREE Volcanic PHA Pore Refining Toner is powered by Jeju Volcanic Cluster™ that gives good oil control with every application.
Why it's great: It has micro particles that lift away residual impurities that weren't removed by your cleanser, so your skin is left squeaky clean — in a good way!
You can find this in Singapore at innisfree stores, Lazada, and Shopee for SGD27 per 200ML.
13. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner - For Combination To Oily Skin
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner - For Combination To Oily Skin.
The Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Essence Toner - For Combination To Oily Skin is infused with the PHA Soy-Yeast Complex™ that hydrates, exfoliates, and restores the skin's oil-water balance with every use.
Why it's great: It gives some microbiome-strengthening probiotic action too, thanks to the many fermented ingredients in its formula.
It's available for SGD51 per 160ML on Shopee and Sephora.
14. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner. (paulaschoice.sg)
Got the case of VVP — very visible pores? The Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner is powered by niacinamide, an ingredient that minimises the appearance of pores and evens out your skin tone. Its lightweight formula doesn’t compromise on hydration and moisture barrier repair, thanks to the hyaluronic acid and ceramides packed into it.
Why it’s great: The presence of chamomile and burdock root delivers skin-repairing antioxidants that soothe irritation and redness.
It’s available for SGD39 per 190ML on the brand’s website.
15. FANCL Moist Refine Lotion I
FANCL Moist Refine Lotion I. (fancl-sg.com)
If you’re looking for deep hydration in your dry face zones, the FANCL Moist Refine Lotion I will be good to add to your rotation. Its hero ingredients, Fresh Moist Collagen and Moisturising Phospholipid, replenish moisture in your skin and keep it looking plump.
Why it’s great: It also keeps your skin smooth thanks to a blend of fresh royal jelly extract and sweet pea extract.
It’s available for SGD41.42 per 30ML on Shopee.
16. DHC Mild Lotion
DHC Mild Lotion. (lookfantastic.com.sg)
If you need a toner that’s hydrating, cooling, and safe for any sensitive areas, the DHC Mild Lotion may be your match made in skincare heaven. It’s formulated with cucumber juice that helps calm and refresh your skin. It also contains glycerin to address any dryness.
Why it’s great: The alcohol-free formula helps prevent skin dehydration and is safe for sensitive-combination skin.
You can find it on LookFantastic for SGD58 per 180ML.
Check out these moisturisers for combination skin while you're here.
Comments, questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected].
