What is a face toner and do you need a face toner? These are the questions we got asked a lot. Let’s reveal the truth about toners!
WHAT DOES A FACE TONER DO?
A toner is mostly formulated with liquid ingredients that were designed to balance the pH level of the skin after cleansing, and before applying serums or moisturizers. In the 90s, toners were designed and advertised towards removing excessive facial oil, fighting acne, and reducing the appearance of pores with harsh ingredients such as alcohol. Since then, toners have gained reputations as being very dry.
Nowadays, toners are formulated in a much better way and they are alcohol-free, containing different ingredients with moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating properties.
Toners can also be used to remove any last traces of makeup, dirt, oil & impurities stuck in your pores after cleansing.
DO YOU REALLY NEED A FACE TONER?
The truth and the honest answer is no, it is not necessary to use a face toner. But toners can offer additional benefits to your skin based on your skin type and the ingredients in different toners. As long as you choose the right toner for your skin type and targeting your skin concerns, toners will definitely help improve your skin.
Another perk of using toners is that damp skin is more receptive to active ingredients in your serums or moisturizers, putting on your skincare products immediately after toning will definitely help them work better.
HOW TO USE A FACE TONER?
IMPORTANT: Remember, a face toner is NOT a cleanser, it doesn't have a cleansing property like a face cleanser. In order to allow toners to work well on your skin, you should always apply toners to clean skin.
There are two ways to use toners. You can soak a cotton pad (preferably a reusable one!), then swipe it over your entire face, neck, and chest. By doing it, not only your skin is getting the beneficial ingredients from the toners, but you are also wiping off any trace of impurities in your skin. If you would like to go GREEN and skip the cotton pad, or you have very sensitive skin, you can put a few drops of toner into your palms and then press them into your face.
HOW TO CHOOSE A FACE TONER?
Dry to Normal skin: You will want to choose a toner with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which will keep your skin moisturized all day. Also, rose water is a good option as a toner for dry to normal skin. Rose is known for its soothing and hydrating properties and it will soothe any discomfort caused by dryness.
Oily to Acne-prone skin: Look for an “oil-free” formula with calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Chamomile is a good ingredient to be included in a toner for oily and acne-prone skin because of its superb soothing and anti-inflammatory effects. Witch hazel is also an ingredient that is suitable for oily skin, which is excellent in balancing excessive sebum.
Tone or not tone, it is completely up to you but if you decided to use a face toner, remember to choose the right one for your skin and enjoy the glowing skin!