What Is Toner? All About Skin, Face & Facial Toners (How, When & What)
We all remember being teenagers. The years when acne was prominent and our mothers would buy us a myriad of beauty products to help us achieve a smoother complexion. But, while these many products would reduce the visible bumps on our faces, they would also sting like crazy, most notably because of their high alcohol content.
Today’s toners are different from the ones used during our teen years, and, even with taking a quality liquid collagen, they still play an important part of our skincare routine.
Now made alcohol-free with higher quality ingredients and designed specifically for sensitive skin, toner can help us overcome a huge variety of skin ailments without the discomfort and dryness we experienced when we were young. This magical tonic has major benefits for your complexion, skin tone, and texture.
While many of us remember using toner from a young age, few truly know its purpose. So, what is toner? What is it used for? And, when should we use it?
Here, we’re going to dive a little deeper into the world of toners. We’re going to discuss what they are, the effect they have on our face, when to use them, and most importantly, how to use them so that you can look and feel your best.
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What Is Toner?
The truth is, when it comes to skin toner, many women aren’t really sure why they use it other than because they’ve grown accustomed to it. However, toners come in all shapes and sizes. Designed as a secret skincare weapon, facial toner is a water-based liquid that can address a huge variety of skin concerns.
Often infused with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, eucalyptus, lavender, rose water, and peppermint, toner gently removes any remaining impurities that may be stuck in your pores.
Unlike popular belief, many modern toning solutions don’t interfere with your skin’s natural oils. These new and improved, alcohol-free solutions don't cause dryness and they most definitely shouldn’t irritate your face in any way, regardless of your skin type.
So, what does toner do for your face? Well, it acts as a freshener, helping you soak up all of the goodness of your daily moisturizing routine.
In addition to removing any last traces of dirt that your face may be holding onto, toner combined with the correct skincare routine can have a life-changing impact on the tightness of your pores (that’s right, goodbye sagging skin and hello youthful complexion!).
But, women shouldn’t see this solution as a replacement for washing their faces. On the contrary, facial toner should be seen as the extra credit of a good skincare regimen rather than a nifty shortcut.
More helpful reading: best ingredients for anti aging
The Effects of Toner on Your Skin’s pH
Our dermis is packed with numerous natural and healthy oils. This means it typically has an acidic pH balance of between 5 and 6. Unfortunately, many cleansers and other skincare products contain alcohol which can be harsh on the skin, putting our natural pH balance completely out of whack and leaving us with uncomfortable and dry skin.
When this happens, the dermis has to work twice as hard to get back to normal which can result in oily skin. Facial toner helps restore the skin’s natural pH quickly and effectively. It also helps tighten and close the pores so that environmental contaminants don’t penetrate the skin.
When to Use Toner
With so many beauty products to include in our daily skincare routine, knowing which order to use them in can be overwhelming. Face toner should typically be used after you’ve exfoliated and cleansed your face.
Cleansing and exfoliating help clear away any grime, dead cells, and makeup left on your face. By taking this first step, the toner can then get where it needs to be, penetrating the skin, and leaving you with a glowing and youthful complexion.
You should apply toner twice daily, once when you wake up and the other at night before going to bed.
More helpful reading: Best facial cleanser
How to Use Toner
Using a face toner is simple. It doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. Start by cleansing and exfoliating your face. Once this is done, soak a cotton ball or pad with your chosen product. Then, sweep it across your face, covering your skin with a thin layer.
It’s important that you apply a layer of toner on all of the harder-to-reach areas of the face. For example, the folds around the nostrils, around the eyes, on the eyelids, and even around the neck and ears. Once applied, let it dry, and follow it up with a moisturizer suited to your skin type.
An alternative method would be to sprinkle toner onto your hands and tap it directly onto your face. You also have the option of using the 7 skin method. What is, you ask? Let’s take a closer look:
The 7 Skin Method
The 7 skin method is a popular Korean skincare routine trend. It involves applying toner to your face seven times after you have cleansed your face.
Wondering what makes this method worthwhile?
By applying multiple layers of toner to your face, you will absorb more of the hydrating ingredients, providing you with quicker results than when using a single layer.
Who Should Use Toner?
Thanks to the variety of different toners, anyone can use this magical solution on their face and bodies. The benefits of using toner are as vast as those of serums, making it important to choose the right product for your individual skin type.
While toner can benefit all skin types, it’s especially helpful for those who suffer from oily skin. It’s also a great addition for those with acne-prone skin or who wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis as these mystical products go the extra mile to clean pores before tightening them up.
More helpful reading by RenewSkin Inc.: Skincare routine for oily skin
The Different Types of Face Toner Available
There are various different types of toners available, all designed to address specific skin types and conditions. The main three categories include:
Hydrating Toners
Hydrating toners are gentle on the skin. They are alcohol-free and may contain humectants or specific ingredients that help reduce the loss of moisture. Most commonly, these substances include glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Instead of taking away from the skin, these hydrating solutions add a layer of moisture. They’re great for getting rid of the tight feeling that some cleansers leave and they will provide a refreshing and hydrating boost to the skin.
Exfoliating Toners
Described as the secret to glowing skin, exfoliating toners are often rich in salicylic acid, fruit enzymes, or hydroxy acid. They enhance the effects of cleansing by keeping the pores extra clean and reducing their visibility.
By removing the dead cells from the dermis, exfoliating toners may help you get rid of flaky skin. They’re great for rejuvenating dull or rough-looking skin. From fine lines to skin congestion, exfoliating toners are perfect for addressing a variety of skin concerns.
Treatment Toners
As the name suggests, treatment toners are better suited for treating specific skin issues. While they also hydrate the skin, these miracle workers contain active ingredients with soothing, brightening, and balancing properties while also acting as anti-aging products.
Vitamin C is often used in brightening toners while witch hazel can be used for its anti-inflammatory properties. Soothing toners, on the other hand, may contain chamomile or allantoin to reduce any redness and are great for sensitive skin. Anti-aging toners are rich in antioxidants that help the skin fight against wrinkle-inducing free radicals.
Ingredients You Should Look For in a Toner
The key to finding the best face toner is to choose a product that contains no alcohol and is rich in ingredients specific to your skin concerns and goals. Some components to look out for include:
- Rosewater, glycerin, or vitamin E for dry skin
- Chamomille or allantoin for soothing sensitive skin
- Plant stems and enzymes for anti-aging
- Aloe vera or witch hazel for redness or inflammation
- Tea tree oil for bacteria and acne-prone skin
- Salicylic acid for preventing whiteheads and blackheads
More helpful reading: How to get rid of blackheads
Using Toner as Part of a Natural Skincare Routine
At TautUSA, we focus on using natural ingredients that help you achieve radiant skin.
In addition to cleanser, toner, exfoliator, and moisturizer, we recommend Taut's Premium Collagen Drink Formula.
Designed to help restore, rejuvenate, and protect the skin, this natural collagen supplement is alcohol-free and contains no preservatives or harsh chemicals.
Thanks to the 13,00mg dose of marine collagen sourced from South Pacific Ocean red snapper fish scales, as well as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and grape seed extract, the formula hydrates, nurtures, and strengthens the skin while also boosting the body's ability to naturally produce new collagen.
Choosing the Right Solution For Your Skin
Whether you have acne, are concerned that you are showing the first signs of aging, have sensitive skin, or suffer from dry or oily skin, there is a toner out there that can help you achieve your aesthetic goals. The information above provides you with the foundations for choosing the right toner for your skin. This combined with the right skincare regimen will ensure that you enjoy soft, supple, and radiant skin for years to come!
If you would like to find out more about how combining the right toner with our high-quality collagen face mask or supplements can help you achieve beautiful and radiant skin, contact us today and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
