WHAT DO FACE TONERS DO
Whether you’re a skin care enthusiast whose daily regime consist of 12 steps or you believe less is more and follow the classic three-step ‘cleanse, tone and moisturise’ routine, one step that’s always a must… toners.
But what do face toners do, when should you use them and which are the best toners for your skin type? We’re glad you asked. As here at Cult Beauty we caught up with three toner experts to answers all these questions and so much more.
So, without further ado, it’s time to fully understand what do face toners do.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Joe Bsham – The Ordinary’s Global Science Communications & Partnerships Engagement Manager Seth Catalano – Caudalie’s Head of Education Sonia Barolo – REN's Education Manager
WHAT DO FACE TONERS DO FOR YOUR SKIN
Toners fall under a unique skin care category as they can offer a multitude of properties to benefit all skin types and concerns in just one easy step. But the real question is, what do face toners do? “Traditionally the majority of cleansing soaps had a pH of around 9-10, making them far more alkaline than the skin's naturally acidic pH of around 4.5-5.5. This results in an increase in skin pH after using soap, which can lead to a disrupted skin barrier, dryness, and in some cases contribute to skin sensitivity or irritation. With that in mind toners were first developed as a solution to this problem, whereby a tonic was used after cleansing” explains Joe. But with so many different types of cleansers today, toners are now used to transition the skin from the cleansing step to the treatment step. “Many formulas prevent the skin from over-drying by removing excess minerals left behind by tap water. Others prepare the skin for the enhanced absorption of active ingredients by way of balancing pH or mild chemical exfoliation. Some toners can even provide treatment to the skin, like killing bacteria or actively soothing” adds Seth.
BENEFITS OF A SKIN TONER
Now we’ve answered the most commonly asked question of what do face toners do, it’s time to take a deep dive into how the benefit the skin. Keep scrolling to see just *some* of the benefits of toners, according to our experts.
Exfoliation: acid toners get rid of dead skin cells, product build-up and excess sebum, revealing a brighter, smoother and healthier skin. By removing the barrier of dead skin cells, they also enhance the penetration and effectiveness of other skin care products, such as serums and moisturisers, that you apply afterward. Brightening toners like REN’s Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic assist with skin-resurfacing and keeping oil in check. The citrus ingredients (orange, tangerine and mandarin) help to brighten and enhance your glow without stripping keeping your skin juicy and hydrated.
Accelerating of other skin care products: toners can be helpful if you cleanse with hard water, suffer from imbalanced skin or if you are working to achieve quicker results with your skin care.
Astringent: many toners focus on providing a tightening effect on the skin, helping to refine the appearance of pores, and helping target other concerns associated with oily skin. Ingredients like exfoliating acids and witch hazel are often used in these formulations.
Hydration: is key to the base of many cosmetic products, and toners are no different. Toners can include a wide array of ingredients to help support skin hydration and are often found across toners in all categories
HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT FACE TONER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE
The not-so-secret, secret to picking the best toner for your skin type? “Ensuring you pick a formula that supports your skin’s needs” says Sonia. “The key to proper exfoliation is ingredients that are both powerful and gentle” she adds.
In addition to considering your skin type you also need to understand what you wish to accomplish with your skin. “If you find your skin feels tight after cleansing, feels rough to the touch, lacks radiance, or looks dry when wearing make up, you likely have dry or dehydrated skin. Conversely, if your skin feels increasingly greasy throughout the day, if you notice enlarged or clogged pores, or if you find make up doesn’t last until evening, you’ll likely have oily skin. If you find that you have a mix of both symptoms on different areas of the face, you likely have combination skin” explains Seth.
BEST FACE TONER FOR OILY SKIN
“For oily skin, the best choice are toners containing BHAs. Being oil soluble they go deeper into the pores exfoliating excess sebum, while having an antibacterial element” explains Sonia. Our advice? Check the ingredients label for clarifying toners that contain oil balancing ingredients like these. What’s more “the best face toners for oily skin should help to regulate pores, tame excess oil, and prevent blackheads and breakouts” Seth adds.
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BEST TONER FOR DRY SKIN
“Those with sensitive or dry skin may prefer opting for a gentler option as dry and sensitive skin may have a weaker skin barrier, which can allow external irritants to enter and result in signs of irritation and redness. Those with dry skin may also experience a flaky or rough skin texture as a result of irregular skin renewal caused by suboptimal skin hydration. For these individuals formulas like The Ordinary's Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner will act as a gentle exfoliating toner to smooth uneven texture and boost radiance while simultaneously providing hydration through the inclusion of squalane. The manufacturing process allows for the inclusion of a high 15% concentration of moisturising squalane for a stronger skin barrier after 8 hours, while still achieving an exceptionally lightweight format” says Joe.
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BEST TONER FOR COMBINATION SKIN
“For combination skin, which typically features an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) and drier or normal areas on the cheeks, the best toners are those that balance oil production, hydrate dry areas and maintain overall skin health” explains Sonia. With that in mind “the best ingredients to look for in toners for combination skin are those that target a multitude of concerns at once” adds Seth.
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WHAT DO FACE TONERS DO FAQS
Still got questions on what do face toners do? No worries we’re here to answer them all below…
While toners are not a must in everyone’s skin care routine, everyone can benefit from using toners as they’re designed to be gentle yet effective, making them a great choice for all skin types – including those with sensitive skin too. Toners refine pores, balance the skin's pH and enhance the absorption and efficacy of skin care products – whether you're looking to brighten, hydrate, or clarify your skin.
In short, yes. We recommend using your toner a maximum of twice a day, once in your AM and once in your PM routine. Anymore and it could strip your skin of natural oils.
It’s best practice to always apply your moisturiser after using a toner. Why? Because while toners balance pH levels and remove residual impurities, they can also be drying. With that in mind you daily creams will lock in moisture and reduce the risk of dry skin.
