When it comes to skincare routines, facial toners often spark curiosity and questions. A basic yet solid skincare routine is the three-step cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen routine, so where would a facial toner fall in that equation? Is it really necessary–and is it for all skin types? What can one get out of using a facial toner?
If you have these questions in mind, this article is for you. Let’s dive into how facial toners work and why they deserve a spot in your daily skincare routine.
What is a Face Toner?
A facial toner is a water-based product that balances your skin’s pH before you apply other products onto your skin. It also helps remove dead skin cells and other impurities and unclog pores, helping you prepare for the rest of your regimen.
Think of your skin as a sponge. When a sponge is damp, it’s more likely to absorb other liquids it comes in contact with. That’s the purpose of a facial toner: it hydrates your skin enough to absorb the nutrients that other skincare products carry.
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FACIAL TONER OR ASTRINGENT? Astringents may be able to remove excess oil and other impurities, but they tend to be stronger and therefore cause skin damage in the long run. Facial toners are gentler, more hydrating, and are suitable for all skin types. |
How Face Toner Works: A Quick Breakdown
Most people skip the facial toner and immediately proceed to other products in their regimen. While this is technically not wrong or harmful, skipping a facial toner might mean you won’t be getting the most out of the skincare products you have.
If you’ve found yourself wondering, “What does toner do?” here’s a quick breakdown of the work that a facial toner does on your skin:
Removes other residual impurities
While most cleansers already do a great job clearing your skin of dirt and other harmful bacteria, you can use a facial toner for an even more thorough cleansing. The cleaner your skin is, the more room there is for ingredients like peptides, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, and other nourishing ingredients.
Provides hydration
Well-hydrated skin is more receptive to additional skin care products and more irritation-resistant. Facial toners supply your skin with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to plump the skin before you proceed with the rest of your routine. (Bonus: because these ingredients retain moisture, they are also excellent pore-closing and anti-aging ingredients.)
Balances pH Levels after cleanser
While cleansing is necessary to unclog pores and remove excess oil, cleansers often strip out the natural oils that help maintain the skin’s pH levels. When this happens, your skin is more susceptible to dryness and irritation that other skincare products may cause. You can use toner to avoid overly drying your skin and maintain its pH balance.
Maintains the skin’s acid mantle
When your skin becomes too dry after cleansing, its acid mantle, which protects against harmful bacteria and pollutants, gets disrupted. Toners help maintain and protect the skin’s pH–its delicate acid mantle–by restoring the skin to a slightly acidic pH. When the acid mantle is balanced enough, active ingredients in serums and moisturizers can penetrate deeper into the skin.
How Often Should I Use Toner?
All skin types can benefit from a facial toner, but how often you use toner depends on your specific skin type. You must also factor in the key ingredients in the toner you’re using. Here are some guidelines you can follow:
Daily Use
For most people, using a toner once or twice a day is ideal, within your morning and evening routine, to be exact. Incorporating a hydrating facial toner or other natural toners in your daily routine thoroughly prepares your skin for all the products you use throughout the day.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, use a facial toner every other day. Your ideal toners contain soothing, hydrating ingredients like green tea, rose water, or aloe vera, which are less likely to cause irritation.
Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Those with oily skin or acne-prone skin can use toner twice a day to clear the skin of dirt or oil buildup that may later lead to acne. Opt for facial toners containing salicylic acid or witch hazel, which control oil production and prevent breakouts.
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, using a toner at least once daily, preferably in the evening, should be enough. Choose alcohol-free hydrating toners with hyaluronic acid, rose water, or glycerin to keep your skin refreshed and moisturized.
Combination Skin
Combination skin typically has unique requirements, so it’s best to test your skin’s response to facial toners. First, use a toner during your morning routine, and if things go well, use a toner in your evening routine.
Either way, it’s best that your toners contain ingredients that retain moisture and prevent irritation. Some examples are witch hazel, aloe vera, green tea, and rose water.
It’s important to listen to your skin. If you notice any signs of irritation or dryness, it might be a good idea to reduce the frequency of use or switch to a gentler formula.
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GENERAL NOTE: We have a PSA for all skin types: always choose an alcohol-free facial toner. Alcohol-based toners cause excessive dryness and damage to the skin. Check the ingredients label on your toners, and if you currently own alcohol-based facial toners, replace them immediately with natural toners. |
How To Apply Toner Correctly
Applying your facial toner correctly can make that significant difference you’ve been aiming for in your skin care efforts. Here are some tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your facial toner:
Step 1: Cleanse Your Face
Always start with a clean slate. Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup from your skin. Cleansing thoroughly prepares your skin to absorb the toner and other skincare products properly. Bonus tip: choose cleansers that retain moisture or contain anti-aging ingredients to get more value from one skincare step.
Step 2: Choose Your Application Method
Depending on your preference, you can apply your facial toner using a cotton pad or your hands. There are no significant differences in terms of effectiveness; it’s all a matter of which method you’re comfortable with.
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Cotton Ball or Pad: Soak a cotton pad with facial toner and gently swipe it across your face, focusing on areas that need extra attention, like the T-zone.
- Hands: Pour a small amount of facial toner into your palms and pat it onto your face. Using a toner this way can be more hydrating and less wasteful, but make sure first that your hands are clean and free of any other product.
Whichever method you use, always be gentle. Avoid rubbing or tugging at your skin to prevent irritation.
Step 3: Follow with a Serum or Moisturizer
Allow your facial toner to settle onto your skin for a minute or so. After that, your skin is now perfectly prepped to absorb other products. Follow up with your serum, moisturizer, salicylic acid treatment, and other skincare steps.
Choosing the Right Facial Toner
When choosing the right toner and any skincare product in general, checking the ingredients label is a good habit. You’ll come across many toners, with each face toner promising clean and healthy skin. But if you want to achieve long-lasting skin health, organic ingredients will get you there.
Look for Natural, Clinically Proven Ingredients
Just as our bodies naturally benefit from fresh air and clean water, our skin also naturally benefits from ingredients sourced directly from the earth.
Natural ingredients typically found in facial toners include contain witch hazel, rose water, green tea extract, and aloe vera. These are popular facial toner ingredients because they cleanse the skin while being gentle and moisturizing. Clinically proven ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid also offer additional hydrating benefits.
Cruelty-Free Practices
We have a give-and-take relationship with nature, so it’s ultimately more fulfilling to take care of your skin while also taking care of nature in the process. Choose toners from brands that practice cruelty-free testing. This ensures that no animals are harmed in making your skincare products.
Following these tips as you build your skin care routine can help you make skincare choices that are worth your time and money. Pay attention to ingredient quality and ethical processes, and you can make your skin healthier while subscribing to earth-friendly practices.
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SKIN TYPE TEST: Not sure what skin type you have? Press blotting sheets to different areas of your face. If there’s oil everywhere, you have oily skin. If the sheet only absorbs oil from your T-zone, you have combination skin. If there’s little to no oil, you have dry skin. Knowing your skin type helps you choose a toners that work specifically for you. |
Eight Saints Coast Is Clear Toner: A Gift From the Earth To Your Skin
At Eight Saints Skincare, we’ve formulated a deep-cleansing, hydrating, alcohol-free facial toner that refreshes your skin as you prepare your face for your daily routine. Unlike its traditional counterparts, which leave you with overly dry and irritated skin, the Coast Is Clear facial toner relies on natural ingredients to cleanse your skin while offering moisturizing properties that keep your skin barrier balanced and healthy.
Here are the key ingredients found in the Coast Is Clear facial toner:
Witch Hazel
One of the most popular face toner ingredients, witch hazel is excellent at reducing inflammation, tightening pores, and controlling excess oil. This effectively prevents acne while soothing the skin.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
As a hydrating toner, Coast Is Clear harnesses the hydrating and moisturizing abilities of Vitamin B5. This vitamin improves skin elasticity and promotes healing of damaged or irritated skin.
Rose Hydrosol
Rose hydrosol is the by-product of the steam distillation process used to extract essential oils from rose petals, making it even more potent than rose water. It provides soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, all while hydrating the skin maintaining its pH balance.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM is an organic sulfur compound that promotes the production of collagen. It also reduces inflammation and helps repair damaged skin cells, resulting in a smoother and healthier complexion.
Sea Water
The sea is abundant with blessings, especially for your skin. Rich in minerals, sea water helps detoxify the skin and balance oil production, leaving you with a refreshed, hydrated feeling on your skin.
Kelp Extract
Unknown to many, kelp extract is packed with vitamins and minerals that hydrate, nourish, and protect the skin from environmental damage while promoting collagen production.
Facial Toner: The Key To Better Skincare
Incorporating a toner into your skin care routine might be a small step and seemingly “skippable” step, but it actually opens up a world of benefits that your skin will love.
From balancing your skin's pH and providing hydration to removing impurities and tightening pores, facial toners play a crucial role in your journey towards radiant, healthy skin.
With Eight Saints, you can enjoy these skin benefits and more. Our toners are formulated with natural ingredients that work in natural harmony with your skin. Explore the Eight Saints today and discover the wonders that only nature can bring.