The staples of skincare, which include face cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen, are presumably familiar to you. Your skin is receiving the necessary care as long as you follow these three steps. Beyond this trio, though, there are other actions you can incorporate into your routine to improve the pleasure of self-care and your skin.
One of those procedures is using a toner, and you have a variety of options these days. What does toner do then? We’ve asked skincare experts for their advice.
How Does Your Skin React to a Toner?
In the past, toners were an astringent phase in your skincare regimen that stripped and further cleansed your skin. However, in the recent few decades, we’ve moved past it, and a new class of toners has taken its place. It’s a step that anybody and everyone can add to their regimen because this crew offers something much more mild and diverse.
“Toners have changed over time by adding more hydrating and active ingredients,” says Ryan Turner, MD, co-founder of TRNR Skin and a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Toners now offer a more varied range of options, unlike in the past when astringent toners were the standard for balancing the pH levels of oily or dry skin.”
How Should the Toner Be Applied?
Toners should be used prior to treatments, serums, and moisturizers, but after your cleanser. This adheres to the skincare application golden rule, which states to apply your products in decreasing thickness order, starting with the thinnest. Toners are the first item in your post-cleanse routine because they are so light—basically, they are like water.
Dr. Turner notes that although certain formulae appear creamier or milkier than others, they nonetheless go first because they are designed to absorb rapidly.
“Use toners in your AM and PM routines,” says Silver Mirror Facial Bar’s chief operating officer and esthetician Rachael Gallo. You can apply them to your face by sweeping a cotton round soaked in the solution, or you can pour some into your hand and pat it on.
Various Toner Types to Try
Whichever toner is best for you will depend on your skin type and specific skincare objectives, as with any skincare product. “By using the basic classifications of oily, dry, or normal,” you may quickly ascertain which toner best suits your needs, according to her. “In addition, using a moisturizing toner in the winter months can be a wise decision.”
To Be Clear
Blunders and breakouts are the focus of clarifying toners. But you want a mild toner with moisturizing properties that is made with components that target pimples, not to abuse your skin.
- Colleen Rothschild ($36, Colleen Rothschild) Gentle & Clear Clarifying Solution
- Ulta sells the Peach & Lily Snail Rescue Blemish Busting Toner for $13.99.
- Effaclar Clarifying Solution Acne Toner by La Roche-Posay ($18.99, Ulta)
hydrating
Dr. Turner advises people with dry or sensitive skin to use heavier, milky, opaque tones. These are usually made with ceramides, botanical oils, and hyaluronic acid, among other moisturizing and strengthening components.
- Sephora sells Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Serum Toner for $39.
- Sephora sells Belif Moisturizing Bomb Toner for $30.
- Sephora sells Ilia The Base Face Milk for $58.
scrubbing
Exfoliating toners can be incorporated into your routine on a daily or weekly basis, depending on their potency. To remove dead skin cells and give your skin a healthy glow, they gently exfoliate the top layer of your skin.
According to Dr. Turner, “if you’re looking for an exfoliating toner, think about the specific chemical exfoliants used in the formulation.” “For instance, salicylic acid and glycolic acid are stronger exfoliants, but lactic acid and PHAs provide a gentler exfoliation.”
- Sephora sells the Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme 7% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Toner for $24.
- Sephora’s $13. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
- Pixi Beauty Glycolic Acid Glow Tonic, $29.00 on Amazon
Calm
For those who have sensitive or irritated skin, soothing toners are great. Usually, relaxing substances like aloe vera, rose water, or cica (Centella Asiatica) are used to make them.
- ($17, Soko Glam) CosRx Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
- Ulta, $30 for Clarins Soothing Toning Lotion with Chamomile
- Mario Badescu Ulta, Aloe Vera Toner, $16
Toners are not a one-size-fits-all product. You are welcome to switch up your tones during the week or from morning to night. The idea is to actively pursue your skincare objectives while paying attention to your skin.
What is a toner in skincare?
A toner is a product used in skincare routines that offers various benefits, including balancing pH levels, hydrating the skin, and preparing it for other treatments.
How has the role of toners changed over time?
Previously, toners were astringent products that stripped and cleansed the skin. Nowadays, toners are more diverse and mild, offering hydration and active ingredients beneficial to the skin.
When should a toner be applied in a skincare routine?
Toners should be applied after cleansing but before treatments, serums, and moisturizers. This is due to their light, water-like consistency which allows for rapid absorption.
What types of toners are available?
There are various types of toners available, including clarifying toners for breakouts, hydrating toners for dry or sensitive skin, exfoliating toners for removing dead skin cells, and soothing toners for sensitive or irritated skin.
Can I use different toners at different times?
Yes, you can switch up your toners depending on your skincare objectives and the condition of your skin. It’s important to actively pursue your skincare goals while paying attention to your skin’s needs.
