Face Toner: A Simple Step to Boost Your Beauty Routine

Face toners used to have a bad rep. We’ve all used one at some point in our lives, usually as teenagers. And most of the time, it was some kind of harsh solution packed with alcohol, that we believed it would do miracles for our acne. The smell, and the stinging and the even more irritated skin – it was just not good.

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That being said, it’s only normal that you’d have doubts about including this step into your beauty routine. However, more and more women swear that including a toner in their skincare regime has done miracles for their complexion. So, you’re probably wondering is there some truth about this? Well, like all skincare products, different people see different effects.

Unlike the formulas in the past, today toners are far better and contain excellent ingredients. Instead of irritating the skin, most toners help to clean it and calm down any inflammation. However, to see any positive effects, you’d need to find the right toner face product for you, and of course, use it properly. Here’s what you need to know about toners to get the most of them.

What Can a Face Toner Do for Your Skin?

There are several reasons to use a face toner. For one, this type of skincare product helps get rid of the excess oil, makeup and product residue that the cleanser wasn’t able to remove. In doing so, it helps prepare the skin for the next steps in your beauty routine. A 100% clean face is able to absorb serums and moisturisers better, thus allowing these products to have more potent effects.

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An additional reason to use a face toner is the fact that it helps balance the pH of the skin. Cleansers often include soaps and other alkaline ingredients that disturb the natural pH of the skin. This makes it more prone to breakouts and inflammation. So, by applying a toner, you help the skin return to its normal state.

Your toner should remove even the last traces of impurities on your skin. When you use it daily, it can tighten your pores and make your skin glow. It will restore your skin’s pH levels and help smooth it. Just remember, that a toner is no substitute for cleansing. It only should be used as an additional step. Don’t avoid washing your face just because you’re sleepy or too lazy to do it.

How to Choose a Toner?

Today facial toners are excellent ways to soothe acne, hydrate dry skin and even work as anti-age products. Make sure you know what your skin type is and have a clear intent on what to use the toner for. Most skincare companies offer toners for various skin types. For instance, if you have oily skin, go for a toner that contains glycolic acid and salicylic acid that will matte your skin through the day. If you have a dry skin type, go for toner-serum hybrids that contain hydrating ingredients.

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Although many women decide to believe the few words that are printed on the bottle (organic, natural, anti-age, acne-free), you should still carefully read the ingredients. Sure, you might not get all those complex chemistry words, but, there are some ingredients that a good toner usually contains and which you can instantly recognise.

If the toner face care solution has rosewater, it will do an excellent job for hydration. Chamomile is superb for soothing redness, while tea tree oil will fight bacteria and oily skin. Aloe vera is beyond great to calm inflammations and red skin, while Vitamin E is your jackpot for hydration. If it contains plant stem cells, the toner is great for anti-aging.

What’s most important is that you pick products that don’t contain alcohol (why would you want that on your skin, even if it’s not blemished?!). It will dry your skin and can cause it to flake.

How to Use It

To put it simply, facial toner is the in-between skincare step. The first step is cleaning (double-cleansing is the best cleansing). Next comes the toner. It comes always in the middle of your routine before you apply the serum and moisturizer. Sounds like a lot of work? See it as something nice you do for your skin.

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There is no special way to use a toner. Most women soak a cotton pad with the toner and simply swipe it all over the face, neck and chest. Some women love adding it on their fingertips and massage it all over their face. This is an eco-friendly way to use the product, but also if you don’t want to lose half of the product on the cotton pad.

The instructions will tell you best when you should use it. Some toners are great for both your morning and night routine, while others are only meant to use them once a day. In case your skin is dry and irritates easily, stick to one use per day. Although water-based, toners still contain powerful ingredients. If there is any irritation, cease to use it and seek your doctor’s help. If you’re new to the process, start gradually. Add the toner in your routine every two days.