The Best Astringent for Oily Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

The-Best-Astringent-for-Oily-Skin

In line with our commitment to present you with products that can actually deliver results, we’re presenting our roundup of the best astringents for oily skin. We’ve spent more than 15 grueling hours ranking the top performing products in the market today that can help control excessive oil production, prevent breakouts and improve your skin’s texture– all without burning holes in your wallet.

Doctor's Choice

The Best Astringent for Oily Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

CLINIQUE Clarifying Lotion 3

Other Products

The Best Astringent for Oily Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream

Other Products

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Containing 100% natural formula, T.N. Dickinson's Astringent relies on witch hazel extracts to cleanse your skin without the dryness or tightness you can get from other products. It contains 16 fluid ounce of natural astringent which you can use in a number of ways.

Biore Blemish Treating Astringent has a handful of ingredients that can control excess oil. It can also decrease hyperpigmentations but only to a certain extent.

If you are planning on using this astringent, make sure to do a patch test first since it contains ingredients that can potentially cause irritation.

A lot of people struggling with oily skin may have encountered Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent already. If you haven't, you might want to give the product a try.

It has ingredients that can prevent acne, excess oil and even oily scalp.

Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Toner leaves a matte finish so you can find it easier to apply your makeup. It does a good job in removing cosmetics, too.

You shouldn't miss Thayers Original Witch Hazel Astringent Pads if you like refreshing by mid-day while you're out. Since it's already pre-moistened, you won't need to worry about carrying an extra pack of cotton balls in your purse.

#1 - T.N. Dickinson's Astringent

Best Astringent for Oily Skin - T.N. Dickinson's Astringent

T.N. Dickinson's Astringent contains 100% natural ingredients along with witch hazel extracts to thoroughly cleanse your skin while keeping its proper balance.

Witch hazel makes a great astringent because of its ability to address large pores as well as decrease your skin’s production of sweat and oil. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, too.

The product picks up dirt and makeup residue well. It’s a great help in healing existing acne and in preventing new breakouts.

Another nice thing about this product is that it doesn’t dry the skin out as it cleanses. You’re also safe from the harsh synthetics ingredients you can find in other product because this one has 100% natural witch hazel.

And for the exact same reason, you may find this astringent’s scent a bit offensive. It needs getting used to, especially if you have a very sensitive sense of smell.

For its size and price, I can say that this product can give you more than what you pay for. Each bottle contains 16 fluid ounce which can last you for several months already.

It’s also a multi-purpose product, Aside from controlling oil, minimizing pores and keeping your skin toned, this one can also be used for cuts and insect bites.

What We Like:

  • Has many uses
  • Contains great amount of product
  • Doesn’t dry skin out
  • Has witch hazel
  • Effectively picks up dirt

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Scent is a major issue

#2 - Biore Blemish Treating Astringent

Best Astringent for Oily Skin  review - Biore Blemish Treating Astringent

Biore Blemish Treating Astringent contains salicylic acid to clear out your pores and prevent skin breakouts. It’s good in getting rid of excess oil so that you’re shine-free for the rest of the day.

This one isn’t for those with sensitive skin since it has two types of alcohol that can potentially trigger irritation. There’s alcohol denat and isopropyl alcohol.

The good news, however, is that although it’s a bit potent, it doesn’t sting and won’t dry out your skin with proper use.

Aside from its effect on your pores, it can also help minimize the appearance of dark spots and blemishes but only to a certain extent. It won’t give you dramatic improvements so don’t set your expectations too high about this product when it comes to addressing hyperpigmentations.

What We Like:

  • Doesn’t sting
  • Good in preventing blackheads and breakouts
  • Minimizes pores
  • Soothing

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Contains irritating ingredients
  • Can’t thoroughly pick up makeup residue

#3 - Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent

Top rated Best Astringent for Oily Skin  - Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent

Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent has been a staple product for a lot of people struggling with oily skin.

If you are thinking of adding this product to your skincare routine, I’d have to warn you that it comes with a tingling feeling. The product also comes with a strong smell that can easily turn you off.

Despite these properties, you’ll love this product’s effects on the skin. It can deeply cleanse the skin so it stays safe from breakouts and other skin issues.

It also works great against dandruff and itchy scalp.

It’s a good investment if you frequently wear heavy makeup since it can pick up residues well. Just remember to use a good moisturizer for your skin type to make sure you don’t dry out your skin too much.

What We Like:

  • Deeply cleanses
  • Thoroughly removes residues
  • Can be used for scalp

What We Didn’t Like:

  • May be too strong for some people
  • Scent is a major issue

#4 - Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Toner

Top picks Best Astringent for Oily Skin  - Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Toner

Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Toner is an exfoliating toner and astringent. It contains 10% glycolic acid to fight oily skin and tighten up your pores.

The product promises a lot of benefits for your skin, like prepping it for your creams and serums as well as to pick up dirt and makeup residues that can clog its pores.

I’m impressed at how it leaves the skin matte so you can apply your foundation better. You won’t have to worry about looking and feeling greasy after a few hours of wearing your makeup.

On top of those benefits, the product can also keep your skin hydrated with its aloe vera content.

As for the scent, the astringent has a refreshing fragrance which people have mixed feelings about. It’s refreshing for some people while others consider it too strong for their liking.

What We Like:

  • Leaves a matte finish
  • Tightens pores
  • Has glycolic acid
  • Provides light exfoliation

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Scent can be an issue
  • Can cause irritation on sensitive skin

#5 - Thayers Original Witch Hazel Astringent Pads

Best Astringent for Oily Skin  - Thayers Original Witch Hazel Astringent Pads

If you think all astringents come in liquid form, then you may not have seen Thayers Original Witch Hazel Astringent Pads yet. It’s unique because, well, it’s in the form of pads.

It’s the perfect product to invest in if you are frequently on-the-go or if you just want a quick way to refresh. It’s handy, convenient and easy to use.

You only need to wipe the pre-moistened pad on your skin until it’s clean. Yes, there’s no need to buy cotton balls.

The pads are a bit rough so don’t be surprised if they don’t go smoothly against your skin. Their texture, however, enables them to gently buff away dead skin cells.

What We Like:

  • Convenient to use
  • No need for extra cotton balls
  • Provides light exfoliation

What We Didn’t Like:

  • Can dry out quickly
  • Has strong alcohol smell

Reviews and Comparisons of The Best Astringents for Oily Skin

Rankings

Doctor Choice

2nd choice

3rd choice

4th choice

Top-Rated Astringents for Oily Skin 2021

Best Astringent for Oily Skin  comparisions - T.N. Dickinson's Astringent
Best Astringent for Oily Skin  comparisions - Biore Blemish Treating Astringent
Best Astringent for Oily Skin  comparisions - Sea Breeze Actives Original Formula Astringent
Best Astringent for Oily Skin  comparisions - Lavo Glycolic Acid Face Toner

Brand

Lotus

Bioré

Sea Breeze

LAVO

Claims

Cleanses the skin without disrupting its balance

Removes excess oil without overdrying skin

Deeply cleanses pores

Combats oily skin and tightens pores

Key ingredients

Witch hazel

Salicylic acid, alcohol denat, isopropyl alcohol

Alcohol denat, camphor, peppermint oil

Glycolic acid

Scented

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Get Started

Toners vs Astringents: What’s The Difference?

For anyone who’s interested in skin care, learning about a new product is like going to a lab class at school. You’ll have to know your problem, research a good solution and test out if it will help you solve your concern.

Take, for example, astringent.

The first time you hear it, you’ll probably feel intimidated. In reality, however, astringents are great skincare products, particularly if you have really oily skin.

It’s also recommended for people with acne-prone and combination skin.

Why?

Well, unlike toners that prepare the skin for moisturizers and creams, astringents’ main work is to decrease your skin’s oil production.

Most of them contain strong ingredients, like alcohol, fragrance, and salicylic acid, to get the job done. In some products, nature-derived alcohol is used to get the same benefits.

Since they do come with alcohol, you should expect to feel your skin tighten after application.

This is something you need to be careful about.

The tightening effect of astringents can be too harsh on sensitive skin. It can also trigger irritation and excessive skin dryness.

Those are two things that can aggravate your oily skin.

Ideally, you should use an astringent for excessively oily skin twice a day or every other day, depending on your skin’s tolerance. You’re not really supposed to overdose your skin with it since it can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier and leave it dehydrated.

Toners, meanwhile, often have glycol and glycerine to draw water back into the skin. They can hydrate while restoring your skin’s pH.

Now, you’re probably wondering: Which should you get?

I’d have to say both. Well, not that you’re supposed to get two different products.

There are products that are hybrids of both toners and astringents, like those that contain witch hazel and salicylic acid. They can kill bacteria as they unclog pores and clean the skin.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Astringents on Oily Skin

Astringents are intimidating to use. Use it the wrong way and you can end up with more problems.

As a guide, here are a few things you need to keep in mind:

Don’t apply on sensitive skin

As I’ve mentioned, astringents have stronger alcohol content. Although they can help control oil, they can cause irritation on sensitive skin.

Do a sensitivity patch test first if you are planning on using astringents for the first time. If you don’t get skin redness or rashes, you can proceed with caution.

Don’t use astringent on young skin

If you are in your puberty years and your hormones are causing a lot of troubles to your skin, it’s best if you stay away from using astringents or anything strong as a remedy. Instead, stick with your anti-acne facial wash and commit to proper skincare to minimize your breakouts.

Don’t overuse astringents

Unlike toners, astringents aren’t supposed to be applied on the skin more than once. You should also apply them carefully as rubbing them harshly can leave your skin feeling and looking raw.

Do apply sunblock after

Astringents can weaken your skin’s barrier which can expose it to a lot of damaging factors, like UV rays. After application, wait for your astringent to dry first before applying sunscreen.

Do talk with your dermatologist

If you are concerned with the strength of your astringent, it’s best if you can talk to your dermatologist first. He can make adjustments as well as help you be more familiar with the necessary precautions in using such a strong skin product.

Conclusion

For this particular roundup, we’re picking T.N. Dickinson's Astringent as the best astringent for oily skin. Aside from the large quantity you can get for its price, it also has a lot of skin benefits without as much risk as using chemical-based astringents.

It has a natural formulation and does a great job in removing excess oil, dirt and even makeup.

 Dermatologist's Choice

The Best Astringent for Oily Skin – 2023 Reviews and Top Picks

Product Recommendation

One of the best toners for oily skin is CLINIQUE Clarifying Lotion 3. This toner can be used by individuals who are either acne-prone or non-acne prone. It’s main ingredients are witch hazel and salicylic acid which both exfoliate the skin. Salicylic acid unclog pores with white and blackheads and is also an anti-inflammatory agent that works best in drying inflamed pimples. Witch hazel, a source of tannin anti-oxidants, cross links with the keratin on the skin which may appear as an invisible film. This temporarily degrease the skin, making pores look minimized and the skin tighter or toned. This product is paraben-free, fragrance-free and sulfate-free. It is dermatology-tested and safe for acne-prone or non-acne prone oily skin. It is designed to degrease the skin, giving an instantly refreshed feeling as it dries quickly. 

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Dr Kathleen May Eusebio-Alpapara

A board-certified dermatologist who practices both medical and cosmetic dermatology

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