What is Toner & is it Necessary?
What is toner?
I’ve skipped out on using toners for a good portion of my life. I never understood the point of them until I got really into skin care a couple of years ago, and ended up doing a lot of research on them. Before toners, there were astringents. Astringents were often considered unnecessary because their main benefits were to remove makeup and reduce excess oil. This sounds all fine and dandy, but the problem with most astringents is that they are extremely potent. Most astringents contain a large amount of alcohol, and are too harsh for the average person to use on an every day or even every other day basis. I remember when I was in high school and I picked up a Clean & Clear skin care kit that included an astringent. The directions said to use it every day after cleansing. After about a week of use, my skin felt like it was on fire. It was extremely dry, red, and irritated from the astringent. I swore them off since. If you don’t have very oily skin, the majority of astringents are not for you.
When toners gained more popularity, it was hard to differentiate them from astringents because they appeared to be the same type of product. Like astringents, toners are to be applied to our skin after cleansing and before applying serums, moisturizers, etc. The best way to apply them is with a cotton pad to ensure your wiping away all impurities, but some toners can also be applied with your bare hands or a spray bottle if preferred. While toners and astringents are similar, toners provide a long list of benefits that astringents do not. You can pick up a toner directly geared towards your skin type and concerns, while an astringent is more-so a one-trick pony. There are tons of toners on the market, and they can play a helpful role in our skin care routines if we utilize them correctly.
Now…let’s get down to the nitty gritty!
What are the benefits of using a toner?
While utilizing a toner is by no means necessary, there are a few benefits that come with incorporating one in your skin care routine.
1. Rebalances the skin’s pH level
This is probably the most important benefit of utilizing a toner, but ironically, most people aren’t familiar with what this benefit really even means. Let me give you a small lesson on pH levels:
The term pH stands for potential of hydrogen. This is the measure of the acidity in a substance. The skin’s pH level is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 1 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most alkaline/non-acidic. Our skin’s natural pH should be around 4-6, which is slightly acidic. With some acidity, our skin is able to fight infection. The result? Clearer, smoother skin.
Any substance we put on our skin (even water) can impact our skin’s pH levels. If our skin becomes too alkaline, it can result in sensitivity and extreme dryness. If our skin is too acidic, our skin can become super oily, irritated, inflamed, and more prone to breakouts.
Toner steps in to rebalance our pH after cleansing. This will ensure our skin is exactly where it needs to be before applying additional products.
2. Hydrates the skin
Cleansing can strip the skin of its necessary oils, causing it to feel dry and tight. Utilizing a toner will rehydrate the skin and release that tightness.
3. Removes impurities
Toners remove left over makeup, dirt, impurities from the environment, and chemical residue from the skin. This will help your serums and moisturizers better absorb into your skin and provide stronger results. In addition, this will also help treat and prevent breakouts.
4. Shrinks pores and reduces acne
Acne caused by bacteria and dirt is more susceptible in those who have large pores. If you have large pores there is a greater chance of impurities seeping into your skin. Toners can shrink your pores, which will reduce bacteria buildup and prevent breakouts.
5. Reduces texture, lines, and uneven skin tone
There are a good amount of toners on the market that work to reduce texture, lines, and uneven skin tone. They contain acids that quickly turn over skin cells. Overtime, you’ll notice a huge improvement in your skin
What toners work best for my skin care concerns?
Below, you’ll find some toners I recommend based on a few different skin care concerns. If you have multiple concerns, you can rotate different toners, but make sure you look over the benefits of each toner first to ensure that you’re making the most informed decision. Most toners are actually multi-purpose and can be used on a wide variety of skin types and/or concerns. Multiple toners may or may not be necessary depending on your concerns
1. Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
When looking for toners for your oily and/or acne-prone skin, search for products that contain salicylic acid or other oil-controlling ingredients. You want to look for toners that will reduce excess oil and shrink pores. They will prevent and treat breakouts.
2. Dark Spots, Dullness, & Uneven Skin Tone
When it comes to combatting dark spots, dullness or uneven skin tone, you should reach for exfoliating chemical toners. Exfoliating toners will help regenerate skin cells, which overtime, will result in brighter, clearer, and more even skin. Exfoliating toners also help reduce the appearance of texture and fine lines.
Tip: If you have sensitive skin, pick up a skin-calming or hydrating toner for daily use, and utilize an exfoliating toner once or twice a week.
3. Hydration
If your skin is consistently dry, and you’re looking for some moisture, look for products that contain hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or rose water. These products will hydrate and rebalance the skin after cleansing.
4. Sensitivity/Irritation
If you have sensitive skin, you want to reach for toners that have skin-calming benefits and ingredients such as different herbs or honey. Look for [relatively] clean-ingredient toners. Stay away from alcohol or acid-based toners, as they’ll likely cause irritation.
