To use or not to use? When we talk about toners in skincare routine the use is still debatable today. So right here we compiled two perspectives in using toners to see if your skin really needs it.
That said, what exactly is a toner?
Used as the second step in a skincare routine, toner is a liquid-based product intended as an additional step in cleansing, to purify the skin from dirt, impurities, n leftover sebum that cleansers are unable to get through (usually in hard to reach places such as within the pore).
Plus, a toner also works to balance out the skin’s pH levels in order for the derms to absorb the next step of skincare products (namely moisturizers).
Historically, toners were made to remove excess soap and sticky residue left on the skin after cleansing. As cleansers at that time were limited to soaps and hard water that are thick and generally irritating to the skin, using alcohol-based toners gets the job done, leaving the skin cleansed.
While alcohol-based toners are still in use today (with better formulation) and are still beneficial as mentioned above, people are aware that they can be drying to the skin and are certainly not recommended for dry and sensitive skin types.
Hence, you get water-based toners fit not only for the two skin types but also for the rest of us, with various key ingredients to suit one’s needs. Water-based toners (thanks to the Korean beauty trend) are hydrating and add moisture to the skin, but also get the job done in purifying and prepping the skin for the next step!
This comes to the next point, are toners necessary for our skin?
At the essence, no. You don’t need a toner unless to add a benefit or two for your skin.
For example, astringent-based toners work well with oily skin types that need an extra punch to deep cleanse the skin, when regular foam cleansers aren’t doing enough job for the skin type.
Dry and sensitive skin types will benefit from hydrating toners that have hydrating and humectant ingredients to draw in and lock the moisture within the skin, which is generally washed away from the previous step.
Or perhaps if you have oily, mature skin types, or simply because you’ve been spending time outdoors more than necessary, a swipe of exfoliating toner might be helpful for your skin.
Not only toners are added to the routine based on skin type, in some cases, one might need to add toners for specific needs such as for anti-aging or acne-prone skin, where a toner (or two) have a specific formulation of ingredient that can speed up the process of their skin goals. For example, an anti-aging routine might need toners with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and AHA glycolic acid to undo aging effects, while acne-prone skin will benefit from soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or Centella Asiatica.
Using toners for your skin
For that, take a look at your skin type, current skin issues, and the products you’re using to see if your skin needs an extra touch from a toner, either based on their type of specific active ingredient to look for. If your skin does need it, use it directly after cleansing while your skin is still damp to maximize its benefits.
