For radiant, healthy-looking skin, you should do more than just cleanse your face every day. A much-debated and often overlooked step in your skincare routine is using a facial toner. These seemingly simple liquids may look and feel like water, but for some people, they play an important role in promoting skin health.
Read on to learn about the potential benefits of using a facial toner, the different types available, and common mistakes to avoid.
The Role of Facial Toner in Skin Care
Using a toner between cleansing and moisturizing helps prepare your skin for all the following steps in your skincare routine. While cleansing can remove a lot of oil or makeup from your face, using a toner ensures that no traces are left behind.
When your pores are clear enough, your face can enjoy the benefits of the following products, including serums, lotions, night creams, and other targeted treatments. In addition, toners restore pH levels, which can be disturbed by harsh cleansers.
Benefits of Using a Toner
According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, using a toner after cleansing can increase the water content of the skin’s outer layer, making it easier to absorb more products. 1 Some proven benefits of toner include:
Clear skin: Toner helps remove oil and makeup residue after cleansing.
Extra moisture: Newer generations of toners contain soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to lock in moisture.
Shrink pores: By thoroughly cleaning pores, toners can visibly reduce impurities that make them appear larger.
Better pH: Some toners contain acids like alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, lactic acid, and salicylic acid to help restore pH levels.
Different types of toners
Toners come in different formulas to suit different skin types and concerns. Older toners almost always contained alcohol, as their main purpose was to remove impurities. Today, alcohol-based toners are no longer common, although some people with oily or acne-prone skin incorporate them into their daily routine. Generally speaking, alcohol can be very drying and can strip your skin of its natural oils, so these types of toners are not recommended.
Alcohol-free toners tend to be gentler and more hydrating, making them especially good for dry or sensitive skin. There are also toners that contain active ingredients, such as glycolic acid or antioxidants, that target specific skin care concerns.
You may also find a hybrid toner and moisturizer. These products support your skin barrier, protecting it from environmental stressors and water loss.
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion
• Locks in moisture and moisturizes
• Helps protect, repair, and heal the skin
• Benefits of anti-inflammatory ingredients
Regular Price $45
Add to Cart
How to Choose the Right Facial Toner for Your Skin Type
Choosing a toner based on your skin type is crucial for achieving the best results. Here are some tips for choosing the right facial toner:
Acne-prone skin: If you have oily or acne-prone skin, choose a toner with ingredients like salicylic acid to combat excess oil. Keep in mind that ingredients like salicylic acid can have a drying effect. So if you have dry skin, consider opting for a gentler solution. Toners with niacinamide can also help reduce acne by reducing inflammation.
Dry skin: If you have dry skin, choose a toner with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that draws moisture into the skin.
Sensitive skin: If you have sensitive skin, avoid toners with alcohol and opt for products with soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera.
Hyperpigmentation: Some toners promise brightening effects, such as those with antioxidants like vitamin C or retinol.
Incorporate toner into your skincare routine
It’s best to think of toner as a bridge between cleansing and moisturizing. After cleansing, apply toner with a cotton pad or gently pat it into your skin. Follow with your serum and moisturizer. Using toner twice a day, morning and night, will leave your skin refreshed, balanced, and ready to take advantage of the benefits of other skincare products.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re already using skincare with the target ingredients mentioned above (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C, or retinoids), then toner isn’t completely necessary. In fact, you’ll probably get a more concentrated version of these ingredients if used alone, as the toner will likely dilute them too much to produce noticeable results.
Foundation Skincare offers a range of dermatological products to address a range of concerns, whether you’re battling acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, or signs of aging. These products are highly concentrated (20% vitamin C, 10% niacinamide, 14% azelaic acid) and rival prescription products, but are gentle enough for all skin types and can be purchased over the counter. This includes:
Azelaic Acid Cream 14%: Best for reducing acne, hyperpigmentation and enlarged pores
Niacinamide Lotion 10%: Best for soothing inflamed skin, preventing breakouts, lightening hyperpigmentation and slowing signs of aging
Hyaluronic Acid Lotion: Best for improving hydration
Vitamin C Lotion 20%: Best for brightening and reducing signs of aging
Night Cream with Granactive Retinoid 2%: Best for reducing fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity
Explore the entire range here
Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you decide to use a toner, avoid the following mistakes to ensure you get the most out of the product:
Don’t use a toner too often, as this can cause dryness.
If you have dry skin, avoid using toners that contain alcohol.
Pay attention to the ingredients in your toner to make sure they are appropriate for your skin’s needs.
Don’t use toner on the delicate skin around your eyes, as this area requires special care.
If you like the idea of using a toner and are looking forward to this part of your skincare routine, make sure you use a quality product that’s tailored to your skin type and specific concerns. If you’re curious about alternative ways to bridge the gap between basic skincare steps like cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen, check out FS Journal for more science-backed, dermatologist-approved tips.
