ALL ABOUT SKIN TONER

This beauty industry is so competitive that I’m not sure my voice can even reach you! But if so, I’m here to tell you Mist, Toner is not a necessity for your skin mainly without proper & particular ingredients. Toners do not clear your skin. In the past toner was not a very important item, but in the 21st century many influencers, aestheticians, and even dermatologists are recommending toner. I am not disrespecting anyone, just proposing a different opinion. P.S. I love Toners!

What is Face, Body Toner?

Toner is a watery textured liquid packed with good ingredients. Depending on the toner it can work as various things but something which can penetrate deeper and faster into the skin. It can’t moisture your skin like a moisturizer but a right toner definitely can moisture your skin deep!

What are the Benefits of Using Toner?

It depends on which toner you’re using. Many eastern toners come with particular benefits for the skin. The main work of toners is providing moisture or a lot of hydration and maintaining pH levels.

Maintain pH Level

In old days, cleansers were highly basic and dry out the skin a lot. At that time toners were invented to maintain the pH level of the skin. From then, it is said that tone your skin after cleansing it. Because it was a necessity. But now cleansers have improved a lot. They are themselves are perfectly balanced, not drying at all. So even Skins help to balance pH, you don’t need them if you’re thinking about buying one.

Prepare Face For The Next Steps

Well, the damp canvas can absorb more. Here I can say nothing but positives about toners. I finish my cleansing process and apply toner, a lot of toner on my face and neck, nothing but feel so cool, calming, and hydrating. Toner will just not help you to absorb later products better but also helps to blend them better. And, it does better work than mists!

Boosts Hydration

I love toner even if it does not moisturize like a moisturizer. Listen to me carefully, you don’t need Toner just because it can hydrate deep. But anyone can use it for giving extra care to your skin. I live in a tropical place, Kolkata. For me, when I can use nothing and tolerate nothing on the skin on hot days I just use Two or more layers (7-Skin Method) of Toner. It works nothing less the wonder! But if you live somewhere that is not too hot or Summer does not last for 8 months I don’t think it’s necessary. You can start your skincare with an active Serum!

Deep Hydration!

When I say deep I did not necessarily mean more! It hydrates skin to the deepest because of the product formula. And not like mists! Which practically does nothing, a good Toner hydrates skin a lot. You are dry or oily remember your skin is dry inside. Innisfree and Isntree Green Tea Toners are probably the best toners for hydrating your skin. They both contain Green Tea extract from Jeju Island and provide a flood of moisture 🌊

Plump & Glowy Skin

As it hydrates the skin from inside (Well not like consuming it, but deeply) after applying 3-4 layers of Green Tea (moisturizing) toner skin feels so much moisturized and plumped. To be true I never Completed the 7-Skin method. Korean skincare products have magic that will leave your skin glowy.

Do Not Cleanse Skin!

Here I came to break the myth of false promising. With respect, I have no idea how big websites and beauticians are claiming that toners remove residues from the skin. Some even claimed it removed dead skin cells. Really? NO! NO! It does not do anything related to cleansing, or removing anything! If you are showing me a cotton pad damped with toner that has makeup on it after cleansing, oh dear that same thing a moisturizer/essence/serum can also do because everything contains emulsifiers. That does not make them cleanser, does it? More importantly, you need to change your cleanser immediately! Oh my! This makes me wild! Do double cleanse properly. Your face should be perfectly cleared after double cleansing, if not either you did it wrong or the products are shit! Toners are not Cleansers.

Do I Need to Use Toner?

Good question, not everybody needs toner. At least that’s what I think. If you have dry or oily skin it’s a good choice to use toner under moisturizer. Toner provides great moisture into the deep of our skin. And both skin type needs little extra moisture. If you’re a normal, little combination skin you do not need it. But I am using toner right now. Sometimes using multiple layers of toner works just like a moisturizer but you need to then seal it with sunscreen. Toner hydration does not remain long. But it is far better than a mist.

How to Apply Toner?

Sprinkle the toner on your palm as much as you need it. Then dab the toner on your face and neck with the help of both hands. Then apply the residues on both hands. Never use a toner with a cotton pad no matter what others says. Toner provides for skin not take anything from it. So why waste cotton pads when our hands can gain from them? If you are doing the 7-skin method then apply a small quantity each time and give it time for absorbing a little bit before applying the next layer.

When to Apply Toner?

After washing my face, my first step is using a moisturizing toner. If you have mist or exfoliating toner like Paula’s Choice, definitely use it beforehand after using a clay mask or double/normal cleansing. We don’t mix cleansing and providing nutrition together. So the order would be like Double/Single cleansing-Exfoliating-Clay Mask-Toner. Many people mixed modern exfoliants with toner because they are liquid and hydrating. But if something is removing dead skin cells that is an Exfoliant, not toner.

How Many Times Do I Need to Use Toner?

It depends on how much moisture you want. But there’s no need to use it more than two times. Don’t forget to seal it with a proper moisturizer every time. I’m saying that but I don’t do that often. In Kolkata, because of the heat, I can’t tolerate anything more than toner on Summer days. So it also depends on the weather. In winter I’ll suggest applying two layers of moisture. That can be Toner-Moisturizer or Moisturizer-Moisturizer, your choice. If it’s snowing (I meant too cold) then you have to lock it with heavy cream or facial oil (I don’t love it a lot), and toners will not work.

How Long does Toner Effect Last on Skin?

Toner is not for the long run. Even toner can hydrate your skin a lot it does not have enough oil particles to seal the moisture. Though some theory says it can stay up to 48 hours within the skin. But whatever the truth is outer layer will get dry after a few hours. This is depending on a lot of things, weather, humidity, skin type, you’re outside or inside, etc. So it’s mild weather consider following up with a moisturizer.

Do Toners Have Side Effects?

Never. A good toner will not contain Alcohol or any drying agent or any toxic things. There’s no controversy with toners. They are safe for every person. Still, if your skin has any special condition, or you’re pregnant please consult with a dermatologist.

Different Between Toner & Astringent

First of all, don’t use Astringent. The basic difference between them is Astringent contains Alcohol while Toners may or not. Even Toners contain Alcohol that is in a minimum amount that doesn’t dry out the skin. While Astringents are harsh on the skin. They are an old formula that nobody uses nowadays.

Face Toner for Different Skin & Men

Toner can contain different types of ingredients targeting different issues. Think about what your skin needs the most and go for it. Never buy a toner with Alcohol in the second, third, ingredient in it or at all if you have dry or problematic skin.

Combination Skin

For combination and normal skin, you can use so many products if your skin does not break out a lot. Enzymes, Vitamins, Glycerin, AHA, BHA, Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, and the list goes on!

Oily Skin

First of all, Oily skin does not mean it needs no moisture! Oily skin needs moisture as much as almost dry skin. Oily skin is dry inside that is why skin cells produce oils to protect it. You can always go with the deep hydrating toners I mentioned. But at first start with light toners. Sandalwood and Rose toners are light and beautiful.

Dry Skin

Again we need moisturizing toners. Nothing better than Isntree Green Tea Toner. It contains 80% Green tea extract from Jeju Island. But you can also choose any rich ingredients like vitamins, and fruit extract in it. Vitamin E is good for the skin.

Sensitive Skin

Don’t use toners with acid or alcohol in them. Go with soothing ingredients. Green tea is hydrating and claiming. My favorite toner is Innisfree and Isntree Green Tea Toners. You may look for Glycerine, Amino acids or other ingredients those not bother the skin.

Acne-Prone Skin

Using AHA, BHA exfoliants in the place of toner is a good idea. Some toners come with little hydration and more exfoliating property. Many suggest that. I think using a toner with the ingredient tea tree will help with toner. Acne-prone skin needs good exfoliants does not mean you have to use exfoliants in every step. Though if your toner contains salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid that’s good too.

Mature Skin

With a lot of hydration, you need antioxidants for your skin. Innisfree 9 solution Toner is for every skin type and has moisturizing anti-aging properties. But my favorite one is I’m From Rice toner with 78% Rice extract and niacinamide. You tell me a better one! In addition, it does not contain any alcohol or fragrance exactly what does not need for matured skins.

Different Face Toner for Men?

Many men ask quarries for men special items. Sometimes it’s right, men need different things, but for skincare items, it’s the same I have mentioned. Did you see anywhere I have mentioned this ingredient is only for an oily-skinned girl? No right? Anybody can enjoy some good ingredients.

What are the Good Ingredients To Look For In Toners?

There are a lot of good ingredients you can look for in any skincare item. Fatty acids, humectants, amino acids, glycerine, flower extract, light oils, Aloe Vera extract (Not raw), tea tree, green tea, anti-aging ingredients like retinol, vitamin c, Niacinamides, Grape Seed extract, antioxidants like eggplant, wine extract, tea extract, Vitamin E, etc.

What are the Bad Ingredients To Avoid In Toners?

Do not buy Toners with Astringents like a lot of alcohol, hazel, menthol, etc. Avoid fragrance at any cost. Toners or any other skincare item should not contain any fragrance. If it’s a Body lotion or lip balm there will be fragrance otherwise avoid that. Though there are some natural fragrances from essential oils, essential oils do not suit everybody, if you’re sensitive, acne-prone, or just not sure don’t use any product with essential oils in it.

What To Use After Toner?

After using Toner, use a targeted Serum and follows that with a moisturizer and sunscreen if it’s daytime even if you use makeup after that. I’m giving you the whole order of how to apply skincare products. Here’s my explanation of why I keep these this way. If you’re a teen you do not need any Serum. I started using serum after I turned 24. Everybody’s skin is different but still, I think using minimum products gives you maximum benefits for the skin.