What Does a Toner Do?

There aren’t many skin care products as old as toner. Evidence of using these scented waters in your skin care routine dates back to the 18th century. They used to be more commonly known as lotions and tonics, and their old formulas were high in alcohol. These often led to skin irritation and severe dryness. Luckily, thanks to modern technology and the discovery of chemical peels, there are a wider variety of toners to try. Those who prefer the original formulas need not worry, as they are still as popular and loved as ever.

Now that we’ve finished our skin care history lesson, let’s take a look at the toners available to you today, what they actually do for your skin, and whether they should be the latest addition to your skin care routine.

What is a Toner?

In short, toners may look like water, but they’re actually formulated with ingredients like skin-nourishing acids, glycerin, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. When used after cleansing, they can penetrate the upper layers of the surface to hydrate the skin and remove the buildup of dead skin cells. You’ll find that toners can restore your skin to its natural acidic state, which is often imbalanced after using overly alkaline skin care products. Your pores will be cleansed and the overall look and feel of your skin will be hydrated, radiant, and plump. When the skin surface is fully functional and hydrated, any other products you apply afterwards will be absorbed into the skin quickly and you will find them to be more effective.

Admittedly, many of us still have misconceptions about toners and their true purpose. This is probably a result of using the notoriously harsh, blemish-removing toners that were so popular in the 90s. This led to toners being considered too astringent, extremely drying, and an unnecessary step in a skincare routine. This was a common perception for many of us until recent years, when toners made a comeback on our vanities thanks to the booming Korean beauty trend. There is now a toner for everyone that can treat a variety of skin concerns, and the best part is that almost all of them are alcohol-free. Now the question is: are they really necessary to include in your skincare routine? Let’s find out more!

Are Toners Really Necessary?

Even if there is no specific skin concern that needs to be treated, everyone would benefit from incorporating a toner into their daily skincare routine, but it would not be listed as a necessary step. Here are the main benefits of toners and how they can improve your skin.

Skincare Benefits of Toner

Minimizes the appearance of pores and keeps skin clear and smooth

Soothes skin and restores pH balance

Provides protection against free radical damage

Helps remove makeup residue and impurities from the skin

Keeps skin hydrated and helps products applied to the skin absorb effectively into the underlying layers of the skin

As you can see from the list of benefits, using a toner is a great addition to any daily routine. With effective amounts of powerful skin ingredients (like glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin) in a toner formula, nearly all skin concerns can be addressed and the overall health and appearance of the complexion becomes balanced, healthy, and comfortable. Deciding whether or not you should include a toner in your skincare routine is entirely up to you and how you approach your skincare routine.

What happens if you use a toner every day?

This depends primarily on your skin type, but many experts recommend that it’s best to use a toner morning and night. However, once you’ve determined that a toner is right for you and your skin, you should use it twice a day. This can be easily done by doing a 24-hour patch test on the inside of your forearm. If you find that a toner causes you dryness and irritation, you should avoid it altogether or stop using it immediately.

How to Use Toner Based on Your Skin Type

Oily Skin – Use twice daily, morning and night after cleansing the skin.

Blemish Prone Skin – Use twice daily, morning and night. Avoid overuse as this can dry out the skin and lead to further breakouts.

Dry Skin – Use once daily, evening after cleansing and before applying a nourishing skin serum.

Combination Skin – Use twice daily if the formula does not contain skin ingredients that are too harsh on dry areas of the face.

Sensitive Skin – Talk to your primary care physician or dermatologist to find the best toner for you that will not cause skin irritation.

Hopefully this clarifies how often you should use a facial toner. Remember to consider the formula and the active ingredients it contains, as this can also help you decide how often to use it. For example, facial toners with a high percentage of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid are particularly beneficial to the skin as they support moisture supply and lock it into the skin.

Do You Wash Your Facial Toner Off?

It is absolutely not necessary to wash off a toner. If you don’t allow it to absorb into your skin, you’re preventing it from working properly. Facial toners are similar to astringents or micellar toners and should be left on the skin rather than washed off. Formulas with chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid must be left on the skin to remove dead skin cells and maintain the skin’s natural pH balance and overall health.

Can I leave toner on my face overnight?

It’s perfectly fine to leave toner on your skin overnight. Once you’ve completed the rest of your skincare routine, you’ll find that all the other ingredients in your serum, facial oil, and moisturizer will absorb quickly through the toner, providing more hydration and other skin benefits that can improve your overall complexion. However, if you notice a burning or irritated sensation on your skin in the morning, it’s best to avoid using toner at night.

Hopefully today you have a better understanding of what toners do for your skin and how they can fit into your daily routine. If you’re wondering how chemical peels work in a formula, check out our blog post on chemical peels and their skincare benefits.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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