Washing your face after a long day of sweating and applying makeup is a feeling of pure bliss—but there's always one left wondering: Did I wash it all off? Is my skin really clean?
Double cleansing is the first step to ensuring this. However, a facial toner can help remove any remaining dirt by quickly applying the product to a (preferably reusable) cotton swab. Some say it's not necessary, but it's really just a matter of personal preference.
Read on to learn about the different types of toners, how they work, and how to find the right one for you. What is facial toner? Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, MD, a fellow at the American Academy of Dermatology, explains that a toner is a "water-like product" used after cleansing and before your skin care routine.
The active ingredients they contain vary, but in general, they help prepare skin for serums and moisturizers "by removing excess oil or dirt that cleansers may miss," she adds.
In the past, toners had a bad reputation for containing large amounts of drying alcohol. However, many products are now alcohol-free and even hydrating, with additional benefits for different skin types.
Facial Toner Benefits. "Toner can help remove makeup, dirt, and impurities," explains Dr. Hausmander. “Certain formulas can help hydrate cleansed skin with hydrating, brightening or exfoliating ingredients—how that works depends on the formula,” adds Sasha Banner, skin care trainer and certified esthetician at Heyday, where specific toners depend on the formula. vary. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines, moisturizes skin and fights redness and inflammation.
Is toner really necessary? According to Houshmand, dermatologists have different opinions on toners, and it's really just a matter of personal preference.
"I think they'll be helpful," she said. "I recommend to my patients a toner that specifically targets their skin concerns." Many people simply love the experience of using a toner.
"Honestly, the toner feels really good," Banner added. "It's like a glass of water for your skin. Treat yourself."
How to use facial toner. After cleansing with a gentle cleanser, Houshmand recommends applying toner with a cotton pad. When you wipe around it (avoiding the eye area), you can see the dirt and oil it picks up.
"Now your skin is clean and optimized for the next step," Haushmand says, adding that it should definitely include a moisturizer to keep your skin barrier balanced and healthy.
Toners and Essences. With so many toner-like products on the market, it’s easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. To be clear, toners and serums are similar, but they are not the same. First, toner is used as an extra cleansing step, and many toners contain astringents (alcohol or more natural ingredients like witch hazel or rose water).
Banner says serums have a similar viscosity to toners, but typically contain only hydrating, nourishing ingredients to provide extra moisture to the skin. Serums can also be used as a "primer" for serums and moisturizers, Houshmand adds, since these treatments are best absorbed into moist skin.
How to find the right facial toner for you. Which toner is best for you depends on your skin type, which also determines the ingredients you should pay attention to. Below, Houshmand and Banner explain.
Dry skin: If you have dry or dehydrated skin, be sure to avoid alcohol. Instead, look for toners that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid or rose water, says Haushmand.
Oily or acne-prone skin: An exfoliating or slightly astringent toner is best for oily or acne-prone skin. Opt for chemical exfoliants like witch hazel or glycolic and salicylic acids, which can slough away dead skin and absorb excess oil, Banner says.
How to find the right facial toner for you. Which toner is best for you depends on your skin type, which also determines the ingredients you should pay attention to. Below, Houshmand and Banner explain.
Dry skin: If you have dry or dehydrated skin, be sure to avoid alcohol. Instead, look for toners that contain glycerin, hyaluronic acid or rose water, says Haushmand.
Oily or acne-prone skin: An exfoliating or slightly astringent toner is best for oily or acne-prone skin. Opt for chemical exfoliants like witch hazel or glycolic and salicylic acids, which can slough away dead skin and absorb excess oil, Banner says.
However, toners containing these active ingredients are slightly less effective and may cause irritation. Therefore, Houshmand recommends using it only two to three times a week initially until your skin adjusts.
Normal Skin: If your skin is balanced and you just need an extra cleansing step, you can't go wrong with a mixture of the above ingredients.
If you're not sure what to choose, don't blindly choose a toner and hope for the best, as you may do more harm than good.
"Check with your dermatologist to make sure a toner is best for your skin type," says Houshmand. Below, she and Banner share their top toner recommendations to help you get started on your journey.
Normal Skin: If your skin is balanced and you just need an extra cleansing step, you can't go wrong with a mixture of the above ingredients.
If you're not sure what to choose, don't blindly choose a toner and hope for the best, as you may do more harm than good.
"Check with your dermatologist to make sure a toner is best for your skin type," says Houshmand. Below, she and Banner share their top toner recommendations to help you get started on your journey.
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