Toner for Skin: Reap the 3 Amazing Benefits

CTSM – Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer is the new mantra many swear by! But what role does a toner play? What does a toner do for the skin? Which toner is good for you? Explore everything below!

Well, for me, all drinking large amounts of water1 do is have me run to the washroom. So, how do I hydrate my skin? Toners, of course!

Toners for skin must be adapted according to an individual’s skin type (oily skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, or dry skin). 

Toner contains astringent ingredients that work wonders for your skin, it is deemed necessary due to its highly refreshing and cleansing properties.

What does a Toner do for the Skin?

A toner aids the skin in several methods, and its impeccable benefits have kept it selling in the market for so many decades now.

1. Hydration

Toner for skin is known to hydrate the skin, protecting your skin from dryness and irritation2, as your skin needs to be always hydrated. Most of us skip hydration, which has an immense effect on the health of our skin.

skin
kerdkanno. Pixabay. Copyright 2022.

Sometimes we mistake excess oil on our face to be moisturized skin. However, it is essential even for someone with oily skin to hydrate their skin.

Your skincare routine, too, must involve a hydrating toner or a hydrating lotion or gel.

2. Removes Impurities

Our skin produces n number of dead skin cells each day that need to be removed from the skin’s surface. Hence exfoliating one’s skin is essential for healthy, glowing skin toner for skin is also known to remove dead skin cells from the face.

A face toner partially does this work by letting us escape that dull skin or uneven skin tone.

toner for skin
Visionpics. Pixabay. Copyright 2022.

Even after a regular face wash, our skin might still hold on to certain pollutants, bacteria, and remnants of the skincare products that can still potentially clog our pores, leading to acne or other inflammations. So a face toner helps remove those remnants deep cleansing your face.

However, do remember that some amount of substances is bound to linger on your face. A face toner can be used only to cut down the amount of those substances on the face, thereby reducing the probability of inflammation.3

3. Preps the Face

A toner prepares your face to absorb other skincare products that you layer your skin within your skincare routine.

It helps the ingredients penetrate deeper into your skin, making sure your skin has the maximum benefit. Hence, its good absorption factor makes people run to toners that suit their skin.

Must-Have Ingredients in a Toner

Toner for skin has the consistency of water, which easily gets absorbed into your skin. Toners for skin can be made from a combination of different ingredients, so you need to decide which toner, with the benefits of which ingredients, would best work for your skin.

One must first identify their skin type before choosing a toner for the skin.

How to Pick the Right Toner For your Skin Type?

1. For Oily Skin

If you are an individual with oily skin, choose a tone that deals with the excess production of oil and the already existing acne. Here is the ingredient you should be looking for in your toner:

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid both exfoliates your skin and penetrates deep into your skin, breaking all the layers of oil that are deposited on your face. It is known to remove excess oil and is used by dermatologists to treat acne, pimples, white or blackheads, and other similar inflammations.

It belongs to beta-hydroxy acids4 extracted from the bark of willow trees. It further enhances the moisture in your skin.

So yes, while looking for a toner for your skin, look for one with salicylic acid in it. Salicylic acid toners are available extensively in the market. 

2. For Dry Skin

a. Hyaluronic Acid:

Toner for skin must not cause other side effects, so be sure to do patch tests as some individuals are intolerant to hyaluronic acid. This non-comedogenic ingredient5 is known to hydrate dry skin exceptionally.

A patch test can be done by taking a small portion of the skincare product and applying it to a very small portion of your skin. Observe your skin for two to three days and look for the presence of any discomfort.

If you experience discomfort of any sort, be it irritation or redness, discontinue the product. If there is no harm, then you can go ahead and freely apply the product all over your skin.

b. Glycerin

Glycerin is known to absorb moisture from the outside and is commonly known as a moisture magnet. 6It has been known to hydrate skin for decades and has been used in skincare products designed for those with dry skin.

It further does not make the skin greasy, giving you that perfect matte skin. It is essential to moisturize to maintain the skin’s ph balance.

3. For Sensitive Skin

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is available in many skincare products and is readily available in your local areas. This has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin and enhance collagen production. Hence look for products with this ingredient if you have sensitive skin.

Skin types decide the kind of toners one must use and not any other factor. There is a range of active ingredients that work wonders for the skin. It is just essential to choose the right toner. You can beat excess oil or sebum by choosing toners with hydrating or soothing ingredients.

There are several types of toners7 on the market; choose the best toner for your skin by researching and applying the trial and error method.

Natural Toners for Skin

Nature has provided us with magical ingredients that can be directly used as a toner for skin.

Ingredients such as rose water, milk cucumber, curd, apple cider vinegar, green tea, rice water, coconut water, chamomile, etc., can work wonders on your skin.

Here is a small DIY natural toner remedy:

DIY Milk and Coconut Water Toner

Mix coconut water and milk in a 2: 1 ratio, respectively, and your toner for the skin is ready. Use a cotton pad to apply the toner over your face and leave it on the surface of your skin for absorption.

You can store this toner for several days by storing it in an air-tight container and keeping it in the fridge. 

skin health
Kerdkanno. Pixabay. Copyright 2022.

This DIY remedy with essential elements such as vitamin C and anti-bacterial properties will work wonders on your skin. This is highly suited for those with dry skin.

Although applying toner is one’s choice, many have a healthy skincare routine even without a toner.

But if you find the necessity for one, then many toners on the market can work for your skin. However, as advised, you must consult your dermatologist for any skincare advice.

When to Use a Toner for Skin? 

Healthy skin may or may not ask for a facial toner. Consult your dermatologist if you have any skin problems. 

However, in usual scenarios, use the toner after washing your face and before applying your skin products such as moisturizer, sunscreen, or even serum. Also, always use clean hands for application.

Toners can be applied anytime- mornings, evenings, or nights. It will easily blend into your skincare routine.

Side-Effects of Toner

Toners, in general, do not affect your skin. However, you may be allergic to certain ingredients in the toner that might cause trouble for you. Hence, as mentioned earlier, a wise way of choosing any product is to perform a patch test.

However, it is advisable to use alcohol-free toners as they might irritate the skin. 

Also, note that over-usage of toner can negatively affect your skin. As the old legend goes, too much of anything is bad. Hence, be conscious of your usage. Over usage can do more harm than good by breaking the skin’s barrier and allowing the growth of bacteria.

Facial toners are great for the skin, but inappropriate usage can damage your skin. If you use a cotton ball to apply toner, remember not to be too harsh on your skin.

Gently blotting the toner on your skin is more than enough. Do not overdo it.

toner for skin
Chezbeate. Pixabay. Copyright 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is toner for skin necessary?

Well, no. But it’s an excellent supplement to your skincare regimen to hydrate the skin.

2. Is it good to use toner for skin every day?

It is suggested that toner be used once a day. If you have notably oily skin or are reapplying makeup, you may apply it twice daily.

3. Is rosewater a toner for skin?

Rose water is a natural toner that can be applied daily. The best part is that rose water may be used on oily, dry, or combo skin types, making it safe to use daily.

EndNote

Toner for skin can potentially enhance the health of your skin. It can shrink pores, reduce dark spots and even help acne-prone skin.

A perfectly pH balanced skin can also be achieved by applying the right toner to your face. It is not mandatory to use toner, so be wise while choosing your products, and listen to your skin at all times.

Keep shining, beautiful!

  1. National Research Council, and Safe Drinking Water Committee. “Drinking Water and Health: Volume 1.” (1977). ↩︎
  2. Lodén, Marie. “Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders.” American journal of clinical dermatology 4 (2003): 771-788. ↩︎
  3. Friedman, Elliot M., and Pamela Herd. “Income, education, and inflammation: differential associations in a national probability sample (the MIDUS study).” Psychosomatic medicine 72.3 (2010): 290. ↩︎
  4. Slepecky, RALPH A., and JOHN H. Law. “A rapid spectrophotometric assay of alpha, beta-unsaturated acids and beta-hydroxy acids.” Analytical Chemistry 32.12 (1960): 1697-1699. ↩︎
  5. Living, Healthy, Brand Ambassadors, and We Follow. “Lots Of Comedogenic Ingredients Aren’t Actually Comedogenic, and What You Really Need To Prevent Acne.” ↩︎
  6. Hilgers, Frans JM, et al. “Development and clinical assessment of a heat and moisture exchanger with a multi-magnet automatic tracheostoma valve (Provox FreeHands HME) for vocal and pulmonary rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.” Acta oto-laryngologica 123.1 (2003): 91-99. ↩︎
  7. Kamiyama, M., et al. “Properties of polymerized toners.” Journal of Imaging Science and Technology 39.5 (1995): 433-438. ↩︎

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R Shishma Jeevitha

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