Before the 10-step Korean skincare routine, all we knew was to cleanse, tone, and moisturize. The first and last steps are not easy to miss because at the end of a long day, your skin will definitely tell you it’s time to clean or that it’s too tight it needs moisture.
Then there’s toner. Always in the middle, the underrated one among the stash. It has been associated with so many claims for skin including tightening the pores, preparing the skin for more products, or reducing acne. Here, we look into what skin toner really does for you regardless of your skin type or skin concern.
What Is Face Toner?
It is not a liquid you use to refresh your skin on a hot summer’s day or as part of a final step in cleansing. A toner is actually the second cleanser you should be using after cleansing. It contains ingredients that balance the pH level, remove dead cells and sebum left by makeup or other residues from the facial wash. If used correctly, it can actually improve your skin texture and give you a better complexion.
How should I use toner?
Toner should be applied on a cotton pad after cleansing. Make sure the cotton is soaked completely with toner. Avoid rubbing it all over your face as you would with facial wash’s lather. If that happens, your skin will be red and feel irritated once you remove the excess liquid from your face using a tissue or a towel. As this product is applied after cleaning, make sure to use a non-irritating cleanser so there’ll be no debris left on your face for the toner to deal with. You can do this twice a day (morning and night).
For those who are not fans of cotton pads, you can actually use your hands to directly pat the toner on your face. As usual, make sure to be gentle with your skin and that your hands are clean before touching your face.
Since most toners come in larger bottles (100-200ml), you can also transfer some to a pocket-size mist bottle so you can use it as facial mist. This does not only adds hydration but also refreshes/recharges the skin.
Benefits of Using Skin Toner
For those who are wondering whether the steps before toner matter, the answer is YES. Think of it as a layer of protection between your skin and all the other products you will use afterward. Treat it like another cleanser that should be used on clean (not just wet) skin and not only right before the moisturizer.
Toner’s main ingredients include salicylic acid, algae extract, snail mucus, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, aloe vera gel, witch hazel water, or even cucumber water. These have very different characteristics from facial washes because they are much lighter in texture but still effective in getting rid of dead cells, dirt, and impurities left by cleansing.
Due to the consistency of toners, which is almost water-like, your skin can also easily absorb it and thus living up to that claim of “prepping the skin” for the next steps. Moist, hydrated skin is able to better absorb products, after all, and toners help in doing that.
Toners are also less potent than astringents and exfoliants so they are easy to integrate into your routine with lesser risk for irritation. Although some contain acids, these are often in very minimal concentration to make toners ideal for daily use.
It’s never too late to try a new toner, and it can make all the difference in your skin care routine! Understanding what type of toner is best for your needs will give you a happier complexion – find yours today!
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