What Does Toner Do?

What Does Toner Do?

What Do Face Toners Do?

Face toners are water, or oil based skincare products that are used after cleansing the face. Toners are the same as essences.

How toners work and their benefits for skin depends upon what cosmeceutical ingredients they contain and which type of toner they are.

Ten things toners can do for your face:

Help remove make-up, sunscreen, and sebum

Remove any detergents left on skin after cleansing

Add a layer of water to the skin before applying moisturizer

Pull water to the skin’s surface from the environment

Kill bacteria on the skin or change the microbiome

Exfoliate the skin by lowering the skin’s pH

Prepare facial skin for the serum that follows it

Clear pores to prevent comedones

Target skin concerns such as inflammation, pigmentation and aging

Treat acne

Not all toners have all of these benefits.

Keep reading to learn how medical grade toners can help your skin.

However, there are 16 different skin types and many do not need a toner!

So learn about toners before you buy.

Take the Quiz

Types of Toners

There are many different types of toners:

alcohol-based

hydroxyacid exfoliating toners

humectant based

micellar water based

oil-based

water based

Although oils and micellar waters are not technically toners, they are often referred to as such, so they are included on this toner list.

Cleanser vs Toner?

Cleansers have surfactants in them that lift dirt, oil , make-up and sunscreen off of the skin.

Toners can also cleanse the face using alcohol, oils, water and other ingredients.

Toners with detergents in them are also face cleansers.

Micellar water is technically a cleanser because they have detergents in them, but sometimes they re classified as toners.

Oils used as cleansing oils are also sometimes called toners.

Trying to decide if you should use a cleanser or a toner?

It depends upon your skin type. We can tell you what products are best for your skin type if you take the quiz.

Take the Quiz

find toners for your skin type

Alcohol-based toners

Alcohol is an antimicrobial and will kill bacteria on the skin.

Avoid alcohol-based toners when you have dry skin.

Note that fatty alcohols are not the same as alcohol. Dry skin types can use fatty alcohols.

Good medical grade alcohol-based toners:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Toner- has salicylic acid to clear pores and reduce inflammation. Will sting irritated skin. Do not use if you have retinoid dermatitis.

SkinCeuticals LHA Toner- This hydroxyacid low pH toner has AHA and BHA. Do not use if your skin is red, stings, or is peeling.

Humectants in Toner

Hydrating Toners

Hydrating products have humectant ingredients that pull water to the skin’s surface and hold it there.

These products work best in a humid environment.

In a dry climate, they should be combined with an occlusive ingredient or followed by a face cream or oil in the skin care routine.

Skin care products with hyaluronic acid can increase absorption of other products in the skin care routine, but HA serums are more effective than HA toners.

These products may feel sticky to oily skin types, so are usually preferred by dry skin types.

Dermatologist-recommended hydrating toners:

These are my 5 favorite toners that my patients like:

EltaMD Skin Recovery Essence Toner- Contains glycerin. May sting a bit so not good for retinoid beginners and rosacea skin types.

EltaMD Skin Recovery Toner- Contains glycerin. This is a better choice for sensitive skin types and when beginning retinol.

Medature Energizing Q Toner- HA hydrates. Aloe and cucumber soothe skin while CO Q 10 gives cells energy. Good for retinoid beginners.

Murad Hydrating Toner-Witch hazel , natural moisturizing factor, glycerin. Not for skin that stings, rosacea, nor retinoid beginners.

PCA Skin Hydrating Toner- Glycerin, panthenol and evening primrose extract. Has a small amount of phenoxyethanol which can cause stinging and is not considered a clean ingredient.

Hydroxyacid Toners

Hydroxyacid toners exfoliate, smooth the skin’s surface, increasing light reflection, and give you glowing skin.

They also lower the skin’s pH, fight acne-causing bacteria, shrink pores, and treat fine lines and wrinkles.

Our dermatologists recommend using these treatments 2-3 times a week.

Never use hydroxyacids if your skin is stinging, inflamed, peeling, or when you are beginning a retinoid.

Use caution if you have sensitive skin such as rosacea.

Try to limit the number of exfoliants in your skin care routine to 3.

These are the 4 best toners for glowing skin:

PCA Skin Nutrient Toner- Uses pumpkin enzymes and lactic acid to exfoliate. May sting because it has cinnamon oil and ginger.

PCA Skin Smoothing Toner- Lactic and and Citric acid. This is more exfoliating than the PCA Nutrient Toner.

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Triple Acid Peel – This should only be used 2-3 times a week. It is more of a peel than a toner. Do not use on irritated skin.

SkinCeuticals LHA Toner- This exfoliating low pH toner has glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Do not use if your skin is irritated from a retinoid. Best for oily skin types.

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 50 (10 ampoules)

$195.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Radiance Eye Cream

$95.70

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Soothing Cream Moisturizer

$77.56

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell Cream

$180.00

Add to Cart

DermAvance Arnika Forte Capsules

$40.00

Add to Cart

Bioderma Sensibio Foaming Gel Cleanser

$7.19

Add to Cart

Biopelle Brightening KNR Serum

$126.00

Add to Cart

Biopelle Retriderm Serum Plus 0.75% Retinol

$89.50

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer

$89.66

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Daily Serum SCA 15

$149.60

Add to Cart

Biopelle Tensage Gentle Gel Cleanser

$33.00

Out of Stock

Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40, (10 ampoules)

$149.60

Add to Cart

Soothing Toners

Soothing toners have anti-inflammatory ingredients to decrease skin redness.

The 3 best toners to calm sensitive skin:

Medature Energizing Q Toner- Aloe and cucumber treat skin redness while Co Q 10 is an antioxidant. Hyaluronic acid hydrates. Good for all skin types.

Obagi Nu-Derm Toner- Witch hazel, aloe, panthenol, allantoin, glycerin, borage seed oil, and calendula.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Essence Mist- Has HA and glycerin but also has phenoxyethanol which is not considered a clean ingredient.

Acne Treatment Toners

Acne treatment toners can work several ways:

Decrease acne causing bacteria with alcohol, antimicrobials such as silver and benzoyl peroxide, or probiotics.

Decrease inflammation with ingredients such as sulfur and salicylic acid.

Clear pores with salicylic acid or retinoids.

Regulate desquamation and keratinization.

These are some of our favorite acne treatment toners:

Our favorite medical grade toner for acne is:

SkinCeuticals LHA Toner- This exfoliating salicylic acid clears pores and is perfect for acne-prone skin. Use with caution when beginning a retinoid. Best for oily skin types.

PCA Skin Smoothing Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made AHA+BHA Peel Pads

$45.00

Add to Cart

Medature Clarifying B Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

IMAGE Skincare CLEAR CELL Salicylic Clarifying Tonic

$30.00

Add to Cart

Murad Clarifying Toner

$29.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Smoothing Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made AHA+BHA Peel Pads

$45.00

Add to Cart

Medature Clarifying B Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

IMAGE Skincare CLEAR CELL Salicylic Clarifying Tonic

$30.00

Add to Cart

Murad Clarifying Toner

$29.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Smoothing Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made AHA+BHA Peel Pads

$45.00

Add to Cart

Medature Clarifying B Toner

$48.00

Add to Cart

IMAGE Skincare CLEAR CELL Salicylic Clarifying Tonic

$30.00

Add to Cart

Murad Clarifying Toner

$29.00

Add to Cart

Water-based vs oil-based toners

Most true toners come in a water-based liquid form that may be infused with skin-soothing ingredients like green tea, chamomile and aloe.

There are also gel based toners with hydrophilic ingredients like hyaluronic acid

Some toners are oil based.

What do Hyaluronic acid Toners Do?

Hyaluronic acid toners

What do HA toners do for the skin?

HA toners are water-based.

They have many benefits such as:

Humectant

Increase absorption of other ingredients and products in the routine

Plump fine lines

Temporarily firm skin

Makes skin glow

Makes skin feel dewy and hydrated

Gives you “Jell-o skin.”

Hyaluronic acid toners increase absorption

Why use a toner?

There is really no need to use a toner.

In fact, most of the skin care routines that I design for my patients do not have toners.

However, some people like the refreshing feeling that a toner provides.

I usually use toners for my teenage patients with oily skin or acne, however, I usually choose to apply the toners with individually wraps pads they can carry to school in their back pack.

For most skin types I suggest using a serum instead of a toner to save yourself an extra skin care routine step.

Side Effects, Dangers and Downsides

Toners are safe unless you use the wrong toner for your skin type.

Dry skin type can hurt their barrier, turn on inflammatory pathways, and irritate skin if they use an alcohol-based or hydroxyacid toner.

Allergic skin types will react to toners that have ingredients they are allergic to.

Rosacea skin types may flush from cinnamon, ginger, menthol and essential oils in toners.

Is alcohol in toners bad?

Dry skin types should avoid alcohol in toners because it can dehydrate the skin.

Fatty alcohols in toners are OK to use.

Research Studies

One study (1) compared the clinical benefits of using a comprehensive skin care routine (cleanser, toner, eye cream, serum, day & night cream) versus a simple one (cleanser & day cream) found that an advanced routine outperformed a simple routine. They saw improvements in superficial hydration, deep hydration, skin roughness, mean pore area, melanin heterogeneity, and crow’s feet wrinkle depth. However, these cannot be directly attributed to the use of a toner.

Another study (2) evaluated the anti-sebum efficacy of a guava toner. The study found that the guava toner significantly reduced oiliness of the forehead and nose better than the vehicle toner which did not contain guava.

Toners may not be right for you.

Take the quiz and let us help you build a skin care routine with products that really work.

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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