Beauty
What Does Facial Toner Do and Why Your Skin Needs It – The Ultimate Guide
Learn what facial toner does and why it’s essential for your skin. Discover its benefits, how to use it and tips for choosing the best toner for your routine!
This post probably contains affiliate links. Our full disclosure is long, but you can find it here.
Have you ever passed by the skincare aisle in drugstores and wondered what does facial cleansers do and if you need it? It may look deceiving as a bottle of mystical liquid, but what is its purpose?
Growing trends among Korean and American-based skincare brands are embracing the inclusion of toners within their skincare regimen in the 21st century.
Beauty gurus are the leaders in this trend, remarking on toner’s abilities to cleanse, prep, moisturize and gently exfoliate the skin in-order to prepare it for the next following steps in their skincare routine.
Some might even agree and say that similar to makeup, toners work as a foundation for the rest of your skincare routine to adhere to your skin.
If you notice that more people are looking towards purchasing these products, you may be wondering if you should invest in a bottle of this magical liquid yourself. If you try it out, it may serve as life changing.
Here’s some surprising reasons for why you should consider using toners!
In This Post:
• What is Facial Toner?
• What Does Facial Toner Do?
• Is Facial Toner Really Necessary?
• How to Use Facial Toner Effectively
• Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Toners
• Best Practices for Choosing a Facial Toner
• What is the Purpose of a Toner on Your Face?
• Final Thoughts
What is a Facial Toner?
Photo by Pexels
“What is a facial toner and what does it do?”
Don’t feel overwhelmed. I’m here to help explain!
By definition, a facial toner is simply a liquid packed with powerful ingredients that help to cleanse your skin a second time after your facial cleanser.
A toner is usually used as the second step after cleansing your face to ensure that no dirt particles remain on your skin and to boost your skin barrier’s hydration levels, gently exfoliate it and as well as moisturize the skin’s outer top layer.
“I hear the word astringent and toners often. Are they the same thing?”
Fun fact: Toners and astringents are commonly confused as being used for the same benefit due to their similar viscosity levels, however, they are not the same product.
Fortunately for you, I am here to explain the difference and their origins so don’t feel hopeless!
Astringent
Photo by Angela Nguyen
Let’s start with astringents. Astringents are water-based products that emerged during the early 20th century as a means to combat facial soaps that were in popular use during this time period that resulted in leaving alkaline residue on individual’s faces.
The main target audience for astringents were individuals who had oily and acne-prone skin that commonly had breakouts.
What helped alleviate the alkaline residue on individual’s faces was the amount of alcohol content listed in the ingredients list for astringents, as well as witch hazel.
Astringents were and still are commonly used to help dry out the skin and remedy breakouts, making them more abrasive and painful than facial toners.
Facial Toner
Photo by @rainies_beauty
On the other hand, toners emerged as an additional water-based product applied after facial cleansing to prime the face for layering on other skincare ingredients with less harsh ingredients.
Their other purpose is to additionally clear away any residue that remained on the skin after cleansing.
Unlike astringents, you would be delighted to know that toners are pain-free and are meant to hydrate your skin.
The emergence of toners in skincare came during the early 20th century as well, but the ingredient list had ingredients that were less harsh and more soothing.
Many popular ingredients included hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera.
“So why are there so many toners in stores today?”
The toners you see on shelves lining the stores today are made to be multifaceted, meaning they easily serve multiple purposes as mentioned above.
Just like how facial cleansers are made for certain skin-types, facial toners also have the same variations.
There are many facial toners on the market in the modern day that help to target specific skin concerns.
Some of the most common concerns that facial toners tackle include dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, aging skin, exfoliation, hydration in skin.
“How do I know which toner I should purchase?”
The answer may take some self-reflection of your own skin concern’s needs first before you consider purchasing a product.
Don’t feel devastated if you cannot identify right away what your main skin concerns are because those concerns can change depending on environmental and genetic factors. Really take time and listen to your skin.
One of the most important things to remember is that everyone’s skin is different and that you may have more than one skin concern that you may want to target which is perfectly okay.
Now, let’s get into what you should look for in toners to fit your skin concern needs, what makes it most amazing, and what exactly facial toners does for your skin!
What Does Facial Toner Do?
Photo by @molecules.beautystore
I believe there are some things that everyone should know about all toners, which includes their ability to effortlessly cleanse the skin of remaining oil, dirt and makeup that your cleansers may not have.
All toners help to enhance the absorption of other products used afterwards, which is a fantastic plus!
All skin types can benefit from using toners because they encompass all concerns that you can list.
For those who have dry skin, toners help to bring more moisture to your skin by introducing a new layer of hydration and ensuring the rest of your skincare products absorb even better into your skin.
For oily and acne-prone skin users, toners can help to secure that level of thin moisture to your skin while helping to help fight inflammation and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and red skin from acne scars.
If you have normal and sensitive skin, toners can help to enhance your skin’s moisture levels and act as a humectant for other products in your skincare routine.
Now let me tell you more on why toners should be your next best friend in your skin care routine.
Related: Savings in Style: How To Cut Your Own Hair at Home
Is Facial Toner Really Necessary?
Photo by Pexels
“Do I really need toners then? I’ve been going without using one for most of my life.”
What I like to say is, if you have the time to invest in yourself, why not give toners a try?
It can help to alleviate certain concerns you have, so here’s a deeper dive on why you should consider toners.
Ideally, when considering toners, we want to look for toners that are helpful in meeting our skin goals and have ingredients that help to balance our ‘potential of hydrogen’ levels, better referred to as ‘pH’ levels.
“What is the most ideal level for our skin’s pH levels?”
What a wonderful question to ask!
Everyone’s skin is going to have a slightly different pH level, but the range for healthy and calm skin ranges generally from 4.5 to 5 on the pH scale. With the inclusion of toners, your toner should have a pH level ranging from 3 to 5.5 to help maintain a healthy pH level overall.
If you’re wondering what the repercussions are for using products that have a higher pH level, it can irritate your skin and cause sensitivity.
This is especially true if you have combination, aging, sensitive and or dry skin concerns.
“How does this help dry skin types?”
That’s also a great question! Dry skin is caused by many factors, such as weather, environment, harsh water and other reasons such as genetics and topical creams.
Photo by @guhangnhat
Toners help to alleviate dry skin by reintroducing a thin barrier of moisture back into the skin in-order to prepare it for other serums and lotions to go on top of it.
With the usage of toners, it adds a calming layer of cleansing and hydration for dry skin types.
Some of my personal favorite ingredients for moisturizing toners include hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and ceramides.
All these ingredients act as humectants that help to draw moisture from future layered products in-order your skin better.
Let’s discuss oily skin and acne prone skin. “My pores are enlarged. Does toner help to reduce it?”
Yes! Toners also carry the ability to minimize the looks of pores by including ingredient help to shrink pores and reduce oiliness and acne for people with these concerns.
Photo by Angela Nguyen
I have combination skin, and I find that when my skin is most oily, it prefers toners with ingredients such as salicylic acid, AHAs, hyaluronic acid and tea tree oil.
These ingredients help to calm inflammation, breakouts, and certain forms of fungal acne.
The same train of thought can also be applied to users who are concerned with fine lines and wrinkles because toners can help to tighten the skin’s elasticity as well.
Some ingredients that work well for finer skin would include similar ingredients for dry skin and retinol that help with anti-aging.
Sensitive skin types can find relief from a bit of most ingredients for skin-types already mentioned above, such as various forms of vitamins, oils, aloe vera, and ceramides.
The most important tip for all skin types, and especially sensitive skin types, is to make sure you try a bit of the product on the back of your palm or your neck first.
It is better to test it out on an area of skin that may not be as sensitive as your face in-order to prevent any further sensitivity or breakouts.
“Great. Now when, where, and how should I apply my new toner?”
Everyone has curated a different skin routine and as we grow older, our skin concerns will differ as well. Don’t let this devastate you!
Our skin routines will need changes as we purchase new products and new re-ordering of beloved products so let me tell you how to get the best results from your toner!
How To Use Facial Toner Effectively
Photo by Pexels
Many people wonder where they should insert their toners into their skincare regime.
From personal experience, I recommend using it right after you cleanse your face.
The best formula for application and steps is these below that I’ve tried and live by:
Step 1: Make sure that your face is cleansed and patted down. Your skin should feel 90% dry.
Step 2: Take your toner and apply a quarter size amount to your palm and massage it onto your entire face in light patting motions
Step 3 (optional): For those who prioritize using toners to cleanse their face of impurities, you can opt out of using your hands for cotton pads. Saturate your cotton pad with the liquid and gently pat the pad onto your skin evenly.
Step 4: Let your skin dry for a couple seconds to a full minute before continuing on with the rest of your skincare.
Now that you know the secret formula for getting the most out of your toner, you may wonder how often you should apply it.
Remember to not feel overwhelmed! It takes time, practice and more practice to find your best routine!
For best results, I personally believe including it in your AM and PM skincare routine will render the best results.
You may also consider pairing your toners with other products afterwards to ensure that all your skin concerns are fully targeted.
Photo by @the_blue_stripes
For example, if your main purpose for using toner is to add an extra layer of moisturizer to your face, consider using an ampoule or a serum afterwards to target specific concerns, such as inflamed acne with tea tree oil, niacinamide for extra hydration or even retinol for anti-aging and reducing fungal acne.
These are some of the best tips I can give as a toner lover who’s had over three years in the game called trial and error.
I cannot guarantee that this specific order of skincare products and toner placement will help you because everyone’s skin is going to be different.
The journey of self-discovery of your skin’s own needs is just as thrilling as finding the ‘perfect’ product.
What I can promise is that you will be able to find the right toner for your skin needs and the right placement and number of usages per day once you start experimenting.
If you’re able to ask friends and family who have similar skin concerns and those who use toners in their skincare, they can also offer advice that may be beneficial for your facial toner journey.
Now we know what the best ingredients are in toners, how to apply and when to apply it. Let’s get on with what to avoid when using facial toners!
Related: 7 Steps for The Perfect DIY Manicure You Can Totally Do at Home
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Toners
Photo by Pexels
Using a new product can be as thrilling as purchasing a new top to add to your wardrobe.
Remember that as much as it is your new favorite item, we have to be cautious of how often we wear that item – in this case – how often we apply our toners.
There is such a thing as overuse of toners like how we can overuse any other skincare products.
Some things that you may notice if you start to overuse toners can include skin irritation, dryness, flakiness, redness and possibly even new breakouts. Yikes!
In-order to avoid improper usage of toners, we want to slowly introduce it into our regime.
Start out with applying a small amount during the day or the nighttime and gradually use it for both day and night when you feel that your skin is ready to handle it.
Another common error when it comes to toner use is layering your toners with products that may not pair well with it afterwards.
For example, if you use a toner with vitamin c in the ingredients list, veer away from applying any products with benzoyl peroxide afterwards.
This combination can oxidize your skin and make your vitamin c less potent with its effects.
Remember to not feel crushed if you don’t land the perfect toner plan down within your first attempt.
With more understanding of what products pair well with your skin through trial and error, you’ll get a step closer to perfecting your skin-care routine too!
Always make sure to test toners on the back of your hand or your neck before applying directly to your face.
This way, you can make sure there won’t be any reactive ingredients that will potentially harm your skin.
“So how do I know what type of toners I really need for my skin concerns?”
This is a great question to ask. Let me walk you through my tips on selecting the best toners that’s most suitable for your skin type and your skin needs!
Best Practices for Choosing a Facial Toner
Photo by Pexels
What I really want to emphasize is that you want to make sure to understand what skin type you have and it’s main concern.
Once you have identified both factors, you may start selecting a toner from there. Here are some tips that I find the most helpful for each skin type and skin concerns
Tip #1 – If you have oily skin, select a toner with ingredients such as niacinamide or salicylic acid to help control your oil production. One of the best on the market that dermatologists recommend would be Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner and Tatcha’s The Texture Tonic.
Tip #2 – If you tend to reach towards a quality moisturizer to combat your dry and or sensitive skin, consider using a toner with hyaluronic acid to help retain your skin barrier’s moisture levels. Some of the best include Belif’s Moisturizing Bomb Toner,
Paula’s Choice Nourishing Milky Toner and Pyunkang Yul’s Deep Hydration Essence Toner that are recommended by many dermatologists.
Tip #3 – If you are concerned with more mature skin and would like to strengthen your anti-aging skin regime, dermatologists highlight Paula Choice’s Enriched Calming Toner,
Dermalogica’s Anti-Aging Toner Spray and SK II’s Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Toner. Products like these that contain glycerin and vitamin c help brighten the skin while nourishing it.
Tip #4 – If your skin tends to be quite balanced, but you are looking for a toner to help further enrich your skin, Tatcha’s The Texture Tonic.
Outside of carefully looking over products and the key ingredients to look for within them, make sure to be thorough about looking for ingredients to avoid as well.
Unfortunately, many drugstore products and cheap toners may contain one or more of the following ingredients but don’t feel crushed because I’m here to help you identify those key ingredients!
“So, what ingredients should I avoid when reading ingredient lists for toners?”
Photo by Angela Nguyen
One of the main ingredients that can cause skin irritation and sensitivity are drying alcohols that can be listed as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol.
These ingredients strip the skin barrier’s natural production of oils and can upset your ph levels.
Other ingredients to be mindful of would include synthetic fragrances. Popular names under this branch of fragrances commonly used in skincare ingredients include ethyl maltol, iso e super and Ambro Xan.
Smells are great if you want a small spritz on your skin in a perfume bottle but avoid unnecessary fragrances in skincare when you can in case it can cause extra irritation to your skin.
Another common word you may hear many influencers use when discussing avoidants in skincare would be ‘parabens’.
“What are parabens?”
Parabens are a big overarching term that encompasses chemical ingredients induced in skincare and makeup that are meant to help decrease the chances of bacteria growth within the products themselves.
Make sure that these ingredients either do not show up on the ingredients list and or at the lowest point in your ingredients list to avoid skin sensitivity.
Some of the most common parabens in skin care include methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben.
These aesthetically appealing bottles of toners may look decisively innocent and great to use but remember to always look at their ingredients and don’t be easily deceived.
“Is there anything else that I should know about toners?”
Let’s go over everything we have learned so far, shall we?
Related: You’re Doing It All Wrong: The Abs Workout You Need, According to a Physical Therapist
What is the Purpose of a Toner on Your Face?
Photo by Pexels
Toners are essentially the primer that you want to prepare your canvas with before the rest of your skincare goods are placed on – AKA your clean facial skin.
What makes toners so popular and unique compared to other skin care products is that they can intensely amplify the benefits of other skincare products that you already use in your routine by building a good solid foundation for the rest of the products to lay on.
All the while, it helps to bring your pH level to a comfortable and healthy level as well!
When you cleanse your face from makeup and your natural oils, it can feel stripping and sensitive which is why toners can help to transform some of those symptoms but balancing your pH levels before you consider picking up your favorite serum and lotion to use.
Many people, like me, who consistently use toners can fully attest to how toners help to provide an extra added layer of secured moisture, help to protect against environmental stressors that may lead to your skin’s pH levels becoming compromised over time.
Toners also help to remove any excess dirt remaining on your skin that your face washes may not have fully cleared as well. What a bonus right?
Now that we know what the purposes and fascinating effects that toners can have on your skin, let’s dive into my final thoughts on why I believe everyone should consider experimenting with toners in their skincare routine!
Final Thoughts
Photo by Pexels
Let’s revisit our initial question about facial toners.
“So what do facial toners do?”
Facial toners in a way are really a magic solution packed in a bottle.
The benefits from toners are extremely transformative if you ever consider purchasing them to further enhance the benefits of your other skincare essentials.
Growing up with acne prone combination skin, I had never found any singular product that helped to combat all my skin’s concerns and needs overnight.
Everything that I love and use to this day has been curated through trial and tests over spans of months and years.
What I can say with toners is that it is really one of my favorite steps in my own skincare routine because it prepares my skin for the rest of the skincare products to take hold of my skin better than if I were to not use a toner.
My skin has felt more hydrated and calmer ever since I started my journey of finding my perfect toner.
So, this leaves me with a sense of certainty that there is a toner out there that will work for you and your skin concern needs.
All you have to do is take the first step in the right direction by experimenting with toners yourself.
The best investment you can make is to invest in yourself and your well-being.
I hope this inspires you to take your first leap into the world of toners.
“Don’t hesitate to invest in your skin. It is going to talk for you for a very long time.” – Chioma Ibeto