Why Toners Are Necessary

Why Toners Are Necessary

Women who use skin care items often say they don’t feel or see any difference when they use a toner, but there really is one. Using the proper toner will guarantee a positive change because anytime you use anything on your face, that item changes the pH of your skin. Toners are often confused with witch hazel and astringents but witch hazel contains oil, and astringents usually contain alcohol.

Any product that you use on your face should be designed for your skin type, and toners are no exception. Dry or combination/dry skin toners are usually creamy or they may contain as much as 5% cosmetic oil; this skin type should avoid alcohol based items. Oily or combination/oily skin toners should be fruit acid based, such as pineapple, lemon or grapefruit or they may contain powders that absorb oil in their product; this type should avoid oil or alcohol based products. The toners for sensitive skin are hypo-allergenic and are designed to be irritant free for this skin type.

What do they do?

Toners return your skin to it’s normal pH, while they cool and relax the skin and temporarily close your pores. They also aid in the removal of any facial oils, makeup residue, dirt or dead skin cells.

When you cleanse your face, the pH balance of your skin changes based on the acid or alkaline percentage/dominance in your cleanser. Your skin must then restore its own natural pH levels and this could take up to an hour or more. A toner immediately returns your skin to its normal pH.

How do I use a Toner?

The 3 best ways to use your toner are a spray application, with cotton or with bare hands to apply toner to your neck and face. Use your toner directly after cleansing and before you moisturize your face. Toner is expecially beneficial for oily skin because it helps keep pore size from enlarging.

Liquid toner application works best with cotton, i.e., flat cotton squares or rounds or cotton balls. Tissues are not a good idea, because they retain more liquid than you’ll use on your face. A quarter size amount on your cotton applied to your face and neck with upward circular strokes is all you need.

Gel toner is usually oil free and has the lightest texture. This type is generally made for oily skin and often contains anti-bacterial additives like rose water, citric acid or lavender. Look for a toner with salicylic acid (to remove dead skin cells and help prevent pimples) if you are very oily. Use the directions for cream toner to answer application questions.

Cream toner has the thickness of a smoothie, and can be applied with clean fingers or cotton. Cream toner doesn’t run so a nickel size drop is all that you’ll need. Spred over 3 fingers of both hands and apply to your face and neck using circular upward motions.

Spray toner really needs no instructions, except to close your mouth and eyes before spraying your face and neck. Additionally, toners are for both men and women. For men, a toner does the same thing as an after shave, it closes the pores. But unlike after shave, a toner won’t burn the skin - unless it contains alcohol.

Men should also moisturize after using a toner. The companies that make men’s skin products have named their moisturizers a hydrator or a facial lotion, to make men feel like their products are different from female skin care products. However, except for the scent, the ingredients are nearly always the same.