The Basics of Face Toner

Most people know they must clean and moisturize their faces daily and apply sunscreen regularly to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. However, manufacturers offer many other skincare products today that people wonder if they should also use. Serums, facial masks, eye creams, and toners are only a few products found on store shelves and online. Many people ask, “Should I be using toner?” 

Toners have been around for decades, and countless individuals remember their parents using them regularly. Those toners had a reputation for being highly astringent and drying out the skin, probably doing more harm than good. Today’s toners are a different breed. They hydrate the skin and come with ingredients that deeply clean the pores and more. 

What is Face Toner?

Many people know what a toner is but aren’t sure what it should be used for. This water-like product is used after washing the face to prepare the skin for other products. Toners of the past would ensure all excess oil was removed from the face. Today’s toners come in several formulas, so a person can choose a product that addresses their skin challenges. These products contain ingredients to make the skin look younger and brighter. The toners from Lemon & Beaker are made using natural ingredients, so unpleasant side effects are rarely a concern. Toners nourish and prepare the skin for the products that follow.

Why Use Face Toner? 

Toners work to restore the skin’s natural pH balance. They also remove impurities that may clog the pores and make the skin look dull. Dust, pollen, and other impurities may linger on the skin after it is cleansed, and the toner ensures they are removed. The right toner will replenish the skin after it is cleaned. Choose a toner based on current needs, as some moisturize, others exfoliate, and certain products brighten the skin. 

Face Toner and Skin Types

Every time someone adds a new product to their skincare routine, they must go slowly. Use the product daily to see if it dries or irritates the skin. Products made with natural ingredients are less likely to cause a reaction, but they may in some individuals. Only add one new product at a time to the routine. Doing so makes it easy to pinpoint which product is causing a reaction if one develops. 

In addition, don’t overdo it with facial toner, particularly around sensitive parts of the face. The skin tends to be more sensitive around the eyes and the nose creases. If the toner contains alcohol, it can dry the skin, regardless of the skin type. Keep this in mind when choosing a product to use and rely on toners made using natural ingredients. 

Most manufacturers make toners designed to meet different skin challenges. A person with acne will want a different product than someone with overly dry skin. Natural ingredients help purify and balance the skin, so most people can use the same toner and see excellent results. The ingredients found in these products hydrate and treat the skin, leaving it looking its best. 

Applying Toner

Cleanse the skin and follow up with the toner before using other skincare products. The toner removes any impurities that remain after cleaning the skin. It also leaves the skin feeling refreshed and ready for other products. People who use a toner find the products they use after the toner penetrate the skin deeper, so they see better results. 

Use a cotton round to apply toner. Saturate the round with the skincare product and gently blot the skin. Never rub with the cotton round, as this could irritate the skin. Use a patting motion and go slowly. Some toners come in spray form to minimize waste. Consider this if it is an option in the selected product. 

When first using a new toner, apply it twice or thrice a week and see how the skin reacts, particularly when it has active ingredients that may irritate the skin with overuse. Once you have determined how the skin will respond, increase the number of times the product is used. Hydrating toners and those that soothe the skin can be used twice a day without worry.

Is Toner the Same as Essence?

Many people see essence and wonder if it is the same as toner. Toners cleanse and hydrate the skin while safeguarding it from pollutants. Essence, in contrast, helps promote skin cell turnover so the skin looks firmer and smoother. Many people use essence as a primer before applying other beauty products, as it will also enhance the effects of products used after its application. If desired, use the two products together, applying the essence after the toner for optimal results. 

Ingredients to Look for in Toners

Natural ingredients provide outstanding results, so look for products that draw from nature when choosing a toner. Rose water, for example, soothes skin irritation while reducing any redness. This water contains antioxidants and anti-aging properties. It helps heal cuts, scars, and burns, leaving behind smoother skin. 

Olive oil is another ingredient found in many toners made using natural ingredients. While many people have olive oil in their kitchens, they never think to include it in their skincare routine, and they should. This oil moisturizes dry skin while protecting it from premature aging. Use it to treat sun damage or heal wounds. However, those prone to acne breakouts should take care because this oil can lead to additional breakouts. Test it for a few days before incorporating it into the daily skincare routine. 

Choose a toner made with glycerin. Glycerin hydrates the skin by drawing moisture from the air, making it look younger. It also forms a barrier to protect the skin from environmental hazards. 

Toners are nothing like the products people used a few decades ago. Advances in science have led to skincare products that nourish the skin and protect it from harm. Most people can add a toner to their skincare routine and see excellent results. Opt for products made using natural ingredients for a glowing face that looks its best.