What is a toner?
A toner is a liquid product meant to rebalance the skin’s pH. It is used after cleansing, but before serums and moisturizers. Toners can help remove leftover impurities or residue on the skin after cleansing; especially if you do not double cleanse or use a makeup remover, and acts as a vehicle for the rest of your regimen.
A toner is a weightless and easy way to add more actives into your skin, and helps strengthen your cellular barrier. Toners have come a long way since the 80 proof products that used to line the shelves, “cough cough Sea Breeze cough cough”, and we now have so many formulations that offer a different result. Follow the guide below to find the perfect toner for you!
Types of Toners:
Astringents: typically alcohol based and designed to control oil production by stripping the skin. these are the toners most of us are familiar with, and have become less common in professional skincare lines. they do serve a purpose, but can be drying and irritating — definitely not for everyone.
Hydration Toners: often containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid to draw in hydration and lock in moisture. most toners in professional lines are hydration focused — a great choice for all skin types.
Exfoliating/Treatment Toners: containing a stronger % of BHAs or AHAs like lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. these are meant to help correct a concern, or be a form of liquid exfoliation throughout the week — these can be irritating if used every day, and are meant to deliver strong actives into the skin a couple times a week. these can also duel as a great spot treatment for acne.
Calming/Soothing Toners: these are meant to add anti-inflammatory and healing benefits to the skin — great for sensitive, dry and red skin, or acneic and inflamed skin. just make sure it isn’t a clogging formulation if being used on acne.
Essence: very common in asian skincare, and often used following a hydration toner. an essence is a toner and a serum combined. it’s viscous like a toner, has toning properties and additional ingredients with a correctional focus like brightening, whitening, moisturizing etc. essences are usually not a necessity, but can be an amazing way to add more soothing nourishment in a routine — great for dry or depleted skin.
Regardless of the type of toner you use, the main goal of the product is to control the acidity of the skin. It ensures your epithelial is strong enough to fight off bacteria and strengthens your barrier from the inside out. It’s a great addition to any routine, can provide a gorgeous inner glow and can sometimes be the missing link in controlling congestion — especially in teens or athletes.
