What Are Skin Toners & Do I Really Need One?

A skin toner is a water-based liquid that clears any iota of impurities left on the skin after cleansing and reduces the appearance of large pores. A toner for the face is also used to hydrate and prep the skin to soak in moisturizer or any other treatments that follow in a skincare routine.

A Brief Background On Skin Toners:

Toners aren’t a new phenomenon. They’ve existed long and are an important part of the widely followed CTM skincare routine. Traditionally, toners for the face (also known as astringents) were packed with high concentrations of alcohol to help get rid of excess oil from the skin. This is why they became popular amongst people who dealt with acne. On the other hand, these astringents proved to be extremely drying on the skin.

Toners were also of great help back when people washed their faces with harsh soaps or facial cleansers. This stripped away moisture from the face and wrecked the pH balance of the skin. To counteract this, skin toners were formulated to bring back hydration and balance the skin’s pH level.

Over the years, toning products have evolved significantly from being just hydrating and balancing solutions to offering soothing, brightening, exfoliating and even clarifying benefits to the skin.

Benefits Of Toner

Listed below are three benefits of a skin toner:

• Minimizes the appearance of large pores: Toners help refine the look of your pores, making them appear smaller and less noticeable.

• Balances the skin’s pH level: After cleansing, your skin’s natural pH balance can get disrupted. A toner restores this balance, ensuring your skin stays healthy.

• Hydrates and preps the skin: Toners are not just for cleansing; they’re designed to hydrate your skin and prepare it to absorb the benefits of your moisturizers. This is one of the best advantages of face toner, providing both exfoliation & hydration.

Should You Use A Skin Toner?

Toning is the hydrating step of a skincare routine. It is a great way to quench thirsty, aka dehydrated skin. Between your cleansing and moisturizing steps, you can replenish your skin with a burst of hydration to make it plump, dewy, and supple. 

How To Use A Skin Toner?

Listed below are the steps on how to use toner:

• Remove your makeup: Ensure your face is clean before applying toner.
  
  
• Cleanse your face and gently pat it dry: This prepares your skin to absorb the toner effectively.

• Choose a toner that suits your skin type: Selecting the right toner to address your specific skin needs.
  
  
• Apply toner by :

Using a cotton pad: Take a cotton pad, soak it with toner, and gently dab it around your face using soft, circular motions.

Spraying it directly: Spritz the toner onto your face and neck, allowing it to soak in naturally.

• Avoid your mouth and eye area and seal it in with a moisturizer.

When To Use Toner?

Toners should be applied after cleansing your skin in the morning and at night. They help balance your skin’s pH levels and effectively remove excess dirt, oil, makeup, and other impurities.

How To Choose A Toner?

When choosing a toner, there are a few factors that you must keep in mind. For example, it’s essential to keep your skin type in mind. If you are not sure about your skin type, this blog can help. 

Skin type: Choose a toner that caters specifically to your skin type. Individuals with oily skin would benefit most from a toner specifically designed for oily skin, or you can opt for a toner formulated for dry skin that is rich in humectants to provide extra hydration. Similarly, consider your skin type and needs while choosing a face toner. You can choose from toner for Combination skin, acne-prone, sensitive skin types, toner for open pores, toner for glowing skin, and so on. 

Weather conditions: You can also consider the weather while choosing the toners. Hydrating toners are ideal for dry, cold climates. Whereas, lighter, exfoliating toners are more suitable for humid or oily conditions.

Ingredients: It's crucial to pay attention to the ingredients in the toners. While buying a toner for your face, look for humectants like glycerin for hydration, exfoliators like salicylic acid for oil control, and soothing ingredients like chamomile for sensitive skin. Depending on your skin type and concerns, you can also look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycolic acid, rose water, rice water, vitamin C, etc.

FAQs

Q1. What is a toner?

A toner is a skincare product applied after cleansing to help remove any residual impurities, balance the skin’s pH, and prep the skin for the rest of your skincare routine.

Q2. What does toner do to the face?

Toner helps cleanse the skin further by removing traces of dirt, oil, or makeup that may be left behind after washing. Toners are also known to reduce the appearance of the pores. Depending on the formula and the ingredients, it can also hydrate, exfoliate, soothe,, and prepare the skin to absorb serums and moisturizers better. 

Q3. Is toner necessary in skincare?

While not strictly necessary, toner can help balance oil, minimize the appearance of pores, maintain the skin’s pH balance, and hydrate your skin. 

Q4. What are the benefits of toner?

1. Balances Skin pH: Restores skin to its natural pH level after cleansing.
2. Removes Residual Impurities: Cleanses away dirt or makeup left after washing.
3. Preps Skin: Allows other skincare products to penetrate more effectively.
4. Targets Skin Concerns: Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or salicylic acid address specific concerns like dryness, uneven skin tone, or large pores.
5. Hydrates and Refreshes: Hydrating toners leave the skin feeling fresh and soft.

Q5. Who should not use toner?

People with very sensitive or highly reactive skin types should be cautious, especially with toners that contain alcohol or astringent. Strong or drying toners can irritate certain skin types, so if you notice any dryness or sensitivity, consider skipping it or opting for an alcohol-free, gentle formula.

Q6. How to use a toner?

1. After cleansing, pour a small amount of toner onto a cotton pad or into your hands.
2. Gently swipe the cotton pad across your face, focusing on areas prone to oil or large pores, like the Tzone. Alternatively, pat the toner on the skin with your hands.
3. Follow up with a serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen (in the morning).

 Q7. When to use a toner?

Use toner right after cleansing, as it helps clear away any leftover impurities and preps the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers.

Q8. Can I use face toner every day?

Yes, most toners are formulated to be gentle enough for daily use. However, if the toner contains strong exfoliating acids, like glycolic or salicylic acid, you may want to use it once in a day to avoid over-exfoliating your skin. Always check the product instructions and adjust usage based on how your skin responds.

Q9. How often should I use a skin toner?

Q10. Should a toner be washed or wiped off after application?

A toner works best when it is left on the skin. So, you don’t need to wash or wipe it off after application.

Q11. Can I use a toner as a facial mist through the day?

If you use a toner that does not include any active ingredients, you can use it as a facial mist through the day.

Q12. Is it ok to use a toner without a moisturizer?

You definitely need to apply moisturizer after toner. A moisturizer is necessary to seal the hydration provided by the toner.