Why You Should Use A Toner

Did you know that skin is naturally acidic? The pH of skin is about 4.5-5.5.

Cleansers *should be* in that pH range. But many aren’t. For example, many bar soaps are at an alkaline pH (where the pH is greater than 7.0). This is the reason you should not use a *body* bar soap on your face. Plus it can strip away too much oil from your face.

[Note: Not all bar soaps are bad for the face. Bars that are specifically made for *facial cleansing* should be ok. Make sure it’s made for the face.]

A toner resets your skin’s pH if it is off balance. This is one good reason to use a toner after cleansing.

But there’s an even more compelling reason. A toner hydrates skin and prepares it for serums and moisturizers, which are absorbed much better with toner.

WHAT ARE TONERS?

Toners are lightweight, liquidy lotions that are usually applied all over the face with a cotton pad because of their runny consistency. Their formulas vary widely, but the most common ingredients are hydrating humectants (they replenish moisture), skin soothers, and astringents.

Then, there’s the alcohol. Most toners contain some. It’s one of the most important ingredients. So important that toners can be classified into three groups based on the amount of alcohol they contain:

Freshners: the mildest form of toners, they are alcohol-free and suitable for all skin types, including dry and sensitive.
Tonics: they contain a small amount of alcohol, and are mostly suitable for normal, combination, and oily skin.
Astringents: the harshest form of toners, they contain antiseptic ingredients and a high amount of alcohol, and aren’t suitable for anyone. Avoid!

WHAT DO TONERS DO?

Toners are designed to do a number of things:

1. Remove the impurities still left on the skin after cleansing.
2. Restore the ph balance of the skin.
3. Shrink the pores and prevent them from getting clogged.
4. Keep oil production under control and reduce shine.

DO YOU REALLY NEED A TONER TO CLEANSE SKIN?

I get so annoyed whenever someone says you need to use a toner to get rid of the impurities your cleanser leaves behind. If your cleanser leaves anything behind, that’s a sign it’s not doing its job as it should.

Toss the cleanser, and replace it with something that works. I recommend Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser. Takes everything off quickly and is so gentle on the skin.

WHAT ABOUT HYDRATING AND ANTI-AGING TONERS?

Toners are more common in the East, but can be found here in the West as well, if you know what to look for. Depending on what ingredients they contain, they can give skin that extra boost of moisture, or prevent the appearance of premature wrinkles. That’s always a good thing.

SO, SHOULD YOU USE THE GOOD KIND OF TONER?

That depends. Your skin will definitely benefit from them. It’s your wallet I’m more concerned about. Let me explain:

IF YOU HAVE OILY SKIN…

You need salicylic acid. But, whether you get it in a toner, exfoliant, serum, or moisturizer, it doesn’t matter. Just find a product you like and that works for you. If it’s a toner, use a toner. If it’s a serum, use a serum and skip the toner.

IF YOUR SKIN LACKS MOISTURE…

Investing in a hydrating toner may be a good idea. Or, you can switch to a richer moisturizer. Experiment to find out what your skin prefers.

IF YOU’RE CONCERNED ABOUT WRINKLES…

Antioxidants are a must. The more the merrier, really. Even if you’re using an antioxidant rich serum, your skin will still benefit from an antioxidant rich toner. But, that’s a plus. If you can afford to splurge on an extra product, go ahead and do it. But, if you’re on a budget, stick to the serum and forget the toner.

Why not use the toner, as it’s probably cheaper? Well, you could use the toner, but serums contain a higher concentration of antioxidants, so it’ll work better and faster. It’s not really worth it to save money if you save on results, too, is it?