If you’re still on the fence about skin toners, this is an article detailing what skin toner is used for exactly.
Face toners are one of my favorite skincare staples. I always look forward to the skincare step and find myself finding comfort in it. I find that it soothes, hydrates, and comforts my skin, especially on bad skin days.
From what my research tells me, many people find toners an unnecessary step in skincare routines. Many see it as just some fancy water that doesn’t do their skin any good. I mean, I don’t blame them and I actually get those people. I, myself, go through a lot of skepticism and research before I decide on adding and using a new product on my face.
Toners, though frowned upon in the past, have been gaining momentum in the past few years. More and more people have fallen in love and made the change of including toners in their daily skincare routines for beautiful, healthy skin.
If you’re still one of those people still debating on the benefits of toners, I suggest you read on below!
What is Skin Toner?
A skin toner is a water-based skincare product. It looks and feels like water but some may have some tint to it.
It’s the next step right after cleansing and washing your face. It lays down a canvas so the rest of your skincare products absorb well and do their magic.
Traditional toners had a very bad reputation as they were very astringent, therefore very drying on skin. Today’s toners, however, differ in the way that their formulas are more soothing and hydrating.
What is Skin Toner Used For?
If you’re one of those people still doubting the use and benefits of toner in your skincare routine, well you’re in luck because we will be discussing below what exactly toner is used for.
Skin toner is a multi-use and versatile skincare product. For the best benefits, your skin can reap from it, read on below!
- Toner removes any last traces of dirt, oil, grime, and impurities post-cleanse
As the immediate post-cleanse skincare step, a good face toner removes any left behind dirt, excess oil, grime, and impurities your staple cleanser wasn’t able to remove and wash off.
Even after cleansing and washing your face, there may be impurities lodged deep within your pores. A face toner is able to remove and deep clean your skin after your cleansing step. A good toner does this without stripping your skin of its natural oils.
A face toner may just be the extra deep cleansing your skin needs to remove dead skin cells and prevent future breakouts and irritation.
- Toner balances the skin’s pH level
Some cleansers in the market can be drying and strip on skin after washing with them. This can often leave skin feeling dry and tight and irritate sensitive skin.
Going in with a toner after your cleansing stage will help restore the skin’s pH level. A good toner is sure to bring your skin back to its optimal health so you don’t feel as tight and dry after cleansing.
- Toner hydrates and moisturizes skin
Though traditional toners from years before suffered a very bad reputation due to their formulas being too drying and stripping, today’s toners are the complete opposite.
A facial toner with the best hydrating and moisturizing ingredients will work to bring moisture and restore hydration back to your skin’s surface. It also helps lock in much-needed moisture deep in your skin so you feel hydrated throughout the day.
For the best hydrating and moisturizing facial toners, make sure to look out for these ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid
- Glycerin
- Rosewater
- Aloe vera
- Toner soothes and refreshes skin
Sensitive and irritated skin can feel uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. A good toner with soothing properties is a good way to counter this. It can calm skin down and reduce redness and skin soreness.
Toners are also a great way to refresh and rejuvenate your skin. It can either relax you after a long day at work or school or get you and your skin ready for a long day ahead.
If you’re looking for a soothing and refreshing toner, keep an eye out for these ingredients:
- Chamomile
- Aloe vera
- Niacinamide
- Toner improves the performance and effectiveness of other skincare products
Going in with a toner right after your cleansing stage gets your skin ready for the next parts of your skincare routine – serums and creams. A good facial toner will help your skin absorb products better. This also means the products perform better and give better results.
And because toners help balance your skin’s pH balance, the next products in your routine will work better.
Is Toner Necessary For Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Combination Skin, Sensitive Skin, or Acne-Prone Skin?
No skincare product is ever deemed necessary. It’s all about what your skin needs.
So, who should use toner?
Anyone, no matter the skin type – dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, or acne-prone skin – can opt to add a facial toner into their routine. It’s a very versatile product and offers a wide array of skin benefits.
If you wear makeup or are generally concerned about leftover dirt, oil, impurities, dead skin cells, a facial toner might do your skin good. It might be the extra deep cleansing stage your skin is looking for.
If you’re one with specific skin concerns, a toner formulated for those concerns might take your skincare routine up a notch. Whether it’s acne, excess oil, dryness, or dull skin tone, there is for sure a toner formulated for you.
Any skin type can opt to use and include a toner. Just make sure that you get one formulated and with ingredients for your skin type.
Quick Know-How: How to Apply Skin Toner
Toners are not only versatile in terms of skin benefits. Toners are also known to be versatile in how one can apply it. There are three ways you can apply and use a toner.
Method 1: If your toner is packaged in a spritz bottle, you can go ahead and directly spray it on your face. This can give your skin an instant refresher. Spritz just a little amount so as not to have excess liquid dripping down your face.
Method 2: Whether your toner is packaged in a spray or regular bottle, you can saturate a cotton ball or cotton pad with it. With the now moist cotton, swipe the toner on your face. Do this in an upward motion going out from the center of your face.
Method 3: If you’re neither the spritzing nor cotton type of person, you can pour some toner into the palm of your hands and apply it on your face. Pat the toner all over your face. This is also a great way to ensure that toner is applied in all nooks and crannies of your face.
Other toner application tips
- When applying toner, especially with cotton pads or balls, make sure to be gentle and neve abrasive. Don’t drag or pull too hard on your skin.
- Include your neck, decolletage, and chest area when applying toner. These areas also accumulate dirt, oil, and impurities so don’t leave them out.
- Remember, your toner goes right after the cleansing stage. Apply toner before serums and creams, never after.
Conclusion
Toners have people around the world doubting its use and skin benefits. Understandable, but this also means many people are missing out on this skincare magic.
Facial toners are one of the most versatile skincare products you can get your hands on. It has a wide array of uses and benefits no matter your skin type.
As the next immediate step after your cleansing stage, toner aids in removing any last traces of dirt, oil, grimes, and impurities your cleanser wasn’t able to remove.
Some cleansers can often strip off skin and leave you feeling dry after washing. Following up with a toner helps balance and maintain your skin’s optimal pH level so you don’t feel as tight and dry.
With the right ingredients and formula, a good facial toner can hydrate, moisturize, soothe, and refresh skin. It helps calm down skin irritations and sensitivities all the while bringing moisture back to your skin’s surface.
And lastly, toners help improve the performance and effectiveness of the rest of your skincare products.
Toners aren’t a necessity but with so many skin benefits, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to add it to their skincare routine.
And that has been our guide on what skin toner is used for!