A toner should be an integral component of your twice daily skin care routine, helping balance and prep your complexion before applying any creams, serums, or treatments that follow. The appropriate toner can make all the difference.
Formulated with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids and proven blemish-busting salicylic acid, this clarifying toner helps clear existing blackheads and whiteheads as well as prevent future breakouts. Furthermore, it contains balancing ingredients to regulate oil production in oily zones.
Cleansing
Face wash helps clear away dirt, oil, and makeup from your surface while toner deep-cleanses pores more thoroughly. Both should be used alongside each other – don’t substitute one for another!
Toners should be used after cleansing and prior to applying a moisturizer. Their purpose is to restore balance to your skin’s pH level after it has been disturbed by soaps and cleansers; additionally they offer much-needed hydration – especially beneficial for dry skin conditions.
While traditional toners were drying and irritating, modern formulas are much hydrating and soothing for skin, helping reduce redness and irritation while soothing irritation caused by acne or breakouts. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid for anti-ageing benefits or salicylic acid for breakout prevention might be present; alcohol helps minimize oiliness while tightening pores further. Apply toner by soaking a cotton ball or pad with it and applying over your face in an upward sweeping motion.
Exfoliation
Toners with exfoliating ingredients can help improve skin texture and fade dark spots by gently exfoliating. Most toners contain low doses of AHAs or BHAs for this purpose and should only be used a few times weekly if you have sensitive skin.
If you have oily or combination skin, try looking for a toner with ingredients to clear pores and antiseptics, as well as AHAs or sulfur to help reduce oil production while chemically exfoliating.
Dry skin requires more careful care. Look for toners with humectants such as glycerin and no alcohol content to lock in moisture and stop it evaporating away, helping keep pores tightened up, balance skin’s pH level, remove leftover makeup/dirt from face, control oil by regulating sebum production and provide matte appearances.
Hydration
As in Hollywood reboots or movie remakes, skincare has seen a toner revamp, with new formulas created specifically to target different skin issues. Now there are toners designed to cleanse, mattify, exfoliate and even help prevent visible signs of aging.
Choose either a milky emulsion to provide initial hydration or a watery toner for quick and effortless application, either way the right product can help balance your complexion while improving absorption of subsequent products in your routine. And since many toners contain skin-loving ingredients that provide additional hydrating and soothing benefits.
Astringent facial toners can dramatically decrease the size and number of pores on skin, giving the appearance of tightened and toned complexion. Astringent face toners also hydrate skin while giving it a brightening boost; K-beauty brand products typically combine exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids with salicylic acid to treat pores, while vitamin C provides additional brightening benefits – our tester found her skin felt smooth and hydrated after using this gentle and effective toner!
Oil control
An effective facial toner can be an essential tool in creating balanced skin, and setting the stage for the rest of your skincare regime. Use it to cleanse away impurities from pores while simultaneously increasing absorption rates for serums and moisturizers.
Not to be mistaken with their alcohol-rich predecessors that caused irritation and dehydration, modern facial toners are designed with ingredients tailored specifically for each concern that target specific issues like clarity, brightening, mattifying and fighting aging signs – popular among K-Beauty fans and dermatologists alike! These formulas can help clarify, brighten, mattify and fight signs of aging alike!
If you have oily skin, start by reaching for a toner like this one, which combines vinolevure (wine yeast extract) with soothing rose water to balance and moisturize. Next, find a serum like this one which is designed to control sebum such as this one with licorice root extract and tea tree oil to prevent pores from clogging – plus no sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates will clog your pores!
