Do You Need A Toner?
If you’ve used a toner and don’t think it did anything, trust me it did. The right toner for your skin type assures a positive result by changing your facial pH. Witch hazel and astringents are often mistaken for a toner, but astringents generally contain alcohol and witch hazel usually contains oil.
Any product that you use on your face should be designed for your skin type, and toners are no exception. Dry or combination/dry skin toners are usually creamy or they may contain as much as 5% cosmetic oil; this skin type should avoid alcohol based items. Oily or combination/oily skin toners should be fruit acid based, such as pineapple, lemon or grapefruit or they may contain powders that absorb oil in their product; this type should avoid oil or alcohol based products. The toners for sensitive skin are hypo-allergenic and are designed to be irritant free for this skin type.
What do they do?
Toners return your skin to its normal pH, while they calm and cool the skin and temporarily close your pores. When applied with a cotton applicator, toner helps to remove dirt, facial oils, dead cells and any residue left by your cleanser or makeup that was not washed or rinsed away with your cleansing routine.
Your facial cleanser changes the pH of your skin based on the amount of alkaline or acid it contains. Your skin must then work to restore its’ natural pH levels and depending on the product, it might take an hour or more. However, your skin immediately returns to its normal pH after using a toner.
How do I use a toner?
Toner can be applied in three ways; cotton application, bare hands or sprayed over the face and neck. It is designed to be used after your cleanser and before your treatment and/or moisturizer. It is especially beneficial for oily skin, because no other skin type has the probability of developing enlarged pores.
Liquids are best applied with any type of cotton, i.e. cotton balls or flat rounds or squares. Avoid using tissues with liquid toners, your tissue will soak up more than you use. Allow your cotton to absorb a quarter size amount of the liquid and apply it to you face and neck with upward strokes.
Gel toner is usually oil free and has the lightest texture. This type is generally made for oily skin and often contains anti-bacterial additives like rose water, citric acid or lavender. Look for a toner with salicylic acid (to remove dead skin cells and help prevent pimples) if you are very oily. Use the directions for cream toner to answer application questions.
Gel toner is very light in texture and is generally oil free. Designed with oily skin in mind, this type may contain anti-bacterial ingredients like citric acids, or lavender or rose water. If you have really oily skin, look for salicylic acid (which aids in preventing pimples by removing dead skin cells) in the toner. For use, follow directions for cream toner.
Spray toners are self explainatory, but don’t forget to close your eyes and mouth before spritzing your face and neck area. Toners may also be used by both women and men. The main job of an after shave is to close pores, so toners work for men too and, unless a toner contains alcohol they won’t sting like after shave.
Men should also moisturize after using a toner. The companies that make men’s skin products have named their moisturizers a hydrator or a facial lotion, to make men feel like their products are different from female skin care products. However, except for the scent, the ingredients are nearly always the same.