Do you need an acid tonic for your face?
If you’ve been using it for a while, you probably have a vague idea of what tonics and exfoliants are. Now you want to know more about what acid tonics are and whether you should add them to your skin care routine.
What is an acid tonic?
Acid Tonic is a hybrid of an exfoliating tonic and a regular toner, making it an impressive product. Acid tonic is called an acid tonic because it contains facial acids that chemically exfoliate the skin when used. Unlike physical exfoliants, chemical exfoliants work on the outer layer of the skin to remove any impurities that cause a host of skin problems, without you having to lift a finger. Read our article on how chemical peels can perfect your skin to learn more.
Similar to regular toners, acid toners open up pores, remove dirt and debris, and ensure a radiant complexion. The main difference is that the ingredients in acid toners penetrate deep into the skin, reaching areas that other toners can’t reach. The main benefit is that acid toners are gentler than physical peels, which can irritate the skin and cause micro-tears, inflammation, and fine lines.
What’s the point of an acid toner?
In your skin care routine, toners are applied after cleansing your skin. Toners were originally formulated to balance the pH of your skin, which is usually slightly acidic at 5.5. Toners help restore balance and prepare your skin for the rest of your routine and any products you use afterward. Over the years, a number of toners that are more like gimmicks have appeared on the market. They contain floral waters and are said to soothe and nourish the skin after cleansing. While they smell and feel great on the skin, they don’t do much for the skin when it comes to treating underlying issues like blackheads, uneven skin texture, or dull skin tone, which is why many of us choose to drop them out of our skin care routine altogether. That’s why acid toners have become increasingly popular in recent years, making the daily toning step just as important as cleansing.
The main reason acid toners offer such great results is because of the acid mixed into the mix. Here are some key ingredients to look for in an acid toner:
American Heart Association
Glycolic Acid
Citric Acid
Lactic Acid
Mandelic Acid
Salicylic Acid
To learn more about these acids, you can read our article on the benefits of AHAs and BHAs for your skin.
Any toner containing these acids will thoroughly cleanse your skin, unclog pores, moisturize your skin, and reduce skin pigmentation—much better than traditional toners. You may even find that an acid toner is missing from your skincare routine and that you need one to revive your complexion.
What are the benefits of an acid toner?
For such an easy-to-use product, it’s remarkable that it has so many benefits for the skin:
Benefits of Acid Toners
Smoother Skin
Reduces Acne
Radiant Complexion
Increases Collagen Production
Improves Skin Health
Balanced pH
Boosts Circulation
Reduces Signs of Aging
How often you use an acid toner throughout the day depends on your personal preference or how much your skin type allows. As with all skincare products, be careful about introducing them into your routine. Overuse of toners containing alpha or beta hydroxy acids can cause irritation to the skin and strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to a variety of skin issues, especially for dry or sensitive skin.
Start by using the product once a day, a few times a week, and then gradually increase usage. This gives your skin time to adjust to the toner’s effects without being shocked. Once you’re sure the product is right for you, you can use it as often as you like. For oily skin, using an acid toner morning and night will help control excess sebum and other impurities that can cause breakouts and blemishes. For dry or sensitive skin, use an acid toner at night for a deep clean without causing irritation or reactions.
Are there any downsides to using an acid toner?
As mentioned before, if you get too enthusiastic and use an acid toner too often, you’ll find that over-exfoliation can lead to redness, irritation, dryness/flaking, acne, and increased oil production. If you notice some of these reactions, it’s best to go back to basics and use the product less often.
You may also notice that your skin is a little thirsty after using an acid toner, especially if you don’t follow it up with other products like hydrating serums and moisturizers to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant. It’s also a good idea to avoid physical exfoliation when using a toner to avoid irritation from too much exfoliation.
Also keep in mind that your skin becomes more sensitive to UV rays. Therefore, using an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen daily is important to keep your skin healthy and prevent hyperpigmentation or premature aging from sun damage.
Do I Really Need an Acid Toner for My Face?
We’d definitely say yes. The beauty of acid toners is that they’re easy to incorporate into your daily routine. All you need to do is soak a cotton pad, rub it onto your skin, and let the chemical exfoliants do all the hard work. As with all skincare products, it’s up to you and your preferences whether or not you want to incorporate it into your routine, but honestly, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t appreciate radiant, healthy, youthful skin.
Hopefully, this helps you decide if you need an acid toner for your face. We think this is a very simple step that you can incorporate into your daily regimen to achieve great results and get one step closer to the perfect skin you’ve always dreamed of.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.