Embark on a journey towards luminous skin as we unravel the secrets of the unsung hero in skincare—toners. Often underestimated, a good toner for face is not just a beauty accessory; it’s a transformative elixir that can elevate your skincare routine to new heights. Join us as we explore the enchanting world of toners, from the versatile face toner to the rejuvenating skin toners and the soothing facial toner. Discover why these liquid wonders are not just products; they’re the key to unlocking your skin’s full potential.
What Do Face Toners Do?
Research indicates that facial toners play a vital role in maintaining the skin’s optimal pH levels, effectively balancing acidity and creating an ideal environment for subsequent skincare steps. By restoring the skin’s pH balance, toners empower the skin barrier, making it more resilient against environmental stressors.
The pH of the skin’s surface is typically slightly acidic, ranging between 4.7 and 5.75. When you wash your face, especially with alkaline cleansers, the pH of the skin can be temporarily disrupted, making it more alkaline.
An effective toner helps restore the slightly acidic environment that is conducive to a healthy skin barrier. Ideally, a good toner should bring the skin’s pH back to its natural range, around 4.7 to 5.75, after cleansing. This restoration is crucial for maintaining the skin’s protective acid mantle, preventing issues like dryness, irritation, and breakouts. The right toners also prepare the skin for the nourishing goodness that follows. Studies highlight that a well-prepped canvas ensures that serums, moisturizers, and treatments penetrate more effectively, maximizing their benefits. This preliminary step serves as a catalyst, creating a harmonious synergy between your skincare products and your skin, leading to a more refined, radiant complexion.
In essence, the toner theory is a testament to the meticulous science behind achieving optimal skin health. It’s not just a step; it’s a strategic maneuver that sets the stage for your skin to absorb and embrace the transformative elements of your skincare routine. Elevate your regimen with the power of toner for the face – the scientific secret to unlocking your skin’s full potential.
Choose Facial Toner by Skin Concerns
Hydration: Many facial toners are designed to hydrate and replenish the skin’s moisture. They often contain humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, ensuring your skin stays supple and well-hydrated. Sometimes, they have collagen-boosting peptides and herbal extracts that also serve as antioxidants.
Exfoliation: Some face toners contain exfoliating ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), promoting gentle exfoliation. Nowadays, PHA toner popularity is rising – PHAs are generally considered milder than other AHAs, like glycolic or lactic acid. Sometimes, acids are mixed in a single toner for the face. AHA BHA toner, AHA toner, or a mild PHA toner – all of them help in removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and promoting a smoother complexion and skin elasticity and can slightly improve wrinkles over time. But please note that you should be careful with exfoliation so as not to compromise the skin barrier. So, exfoliating toner shall not be used often, 1-2-3 times a week, depending on your skin type. Sometimes it is a good decision to use exfoliating toner on more oily face parts, not to over-dry those that are already clear and dry.
Acne Control: Toners with ingredients like salicylic acid are effective for those with acne-prone skin. These toners can penetrate deep into the pores, eliminating excess oil and preventing breakouts. Regular use of BHA-containing products can help prevent the formation of new acne lesions, making them a valuable part of a preventive skincare routine. They are basically also AHA BHA toners or BHA toners, so they both balance oil production and do other good things, but still, there goes the same caution as for exfoliating toner – over-using acne toner can compromise skin barrier – use it wisely.
Aside of the BHA toner, witch hazel toner can also help with acne – it can help tighten and tone the skin by constricting the skin cells. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin, as it can help reduce excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores.
Soothing and Calming: Toners enriched with soothing ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, centella asiatica (Cica), licorice root extract, snail mucin, propolis, mugwort are excellent for calming sensitive or irritated skin. They provide relief and reduce redness. Soothing toner can also be a hydrating toner, as a good skincare toner is usually formulated to address a couple of concerns.
Incorporating the best toners into your skincare routine can make a significant difference in the overall health and appearance of your skin. Whether you’re seeking hydration, exfoliation, or targeted solutions for specific concerns, there’s a toner that caters to your skin’s unique needs. Experiment with different types to discover the perfect toner that brings out the best in your complexion. Besides, you can layer them – use a hydrating toner and then aha toner on your exfoliation days.
Frequency of Using Toners for Face
Hydrating Toners: Hydrating face toners are generally gentle and can be used daily, both in the morning and evening, and can be re-applied during the day for better hydration.
Exfoliating Toners (AHA toner/AHA BHA toner/ PHA toner): should be used less frequently, typically 2-3 times a week, usually in the evening.
Acne-Fighting Toners: Toners with acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid, can be used daily or as directed by the product instructions.
Application: Apply after cleansing, focusing on areas prone to breakouts.
Soothing Toners: Soothing facial toner can be used daily (AM and PM) and or as needed for irritated skin, can be used as a refreshing mist throughout the day.
The Best Hydrating Toners
Klairs supple preparation facial toner is a very loved and often re-purchased toner for dry skin.
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It comes in 2 types – Klairs Unscented toner & Klairs Supple reparation facial toner Original (with lavender scent). It is one of the super-popular toners and was also called the best Korean toner.
Klairs Supple Preparation Toner:
- Gentle and weightless, serving as a revitalizing step in your moisturizing skincare routine.
- Plant extracts and a combination of hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan calms and hydrates.
- Restores moisture and rebalances the skin’s pH levels after cleansing.
- It is enriched with a blend of plant extracts, hyaluronic acid, and beta-glucan for a calming, hydrating, and soothing experience.
- Has peptides in it.
- Perfect for normal, dry, combination, and sensitive skin types.
Basics for Sensitive Skin:
- Deep Moisturizing.
- Gentle Cleansing and Soothing.
- pH Level Balance.
- Natural and Botanical Extracts.
Additional Information:
- Vegan-friendly.
- Devoid of essential oils for a nourishing choice for your skin’s well-being.
Available on Yesstyle and iHerb,
For an extra discount on YesStyle (which ships worldwide and often has very good deals) use the Rewards code on checkout VZBZKB or use this link
For an extra discount on iHerb, use the link https://www.iherb.com?rcode=NAT0553 or a code NAT0553 when you check out.
I’m From Rice Toner is another excellent hydrating toner – the best face toner for dry skin.
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Im From Rice Toner is another of the best Korean toners for dry skin.
I’m From Rice Toner:
- Packed with 77.78% goami rice extracts for anti-wrinkle, brightening, and moisturizing benefits.
- Key ingredients include rice bran extract, amaranthus caudatus seed extract, and portulaca oleracea extract, providing nourishing and soothing effects.
- Niacinamide offers anti-inflammatory benefits, regulates sebum production, brightens the skin, supports the skin barrier.
- Adenosine contributes to anti-aging effects by reducing fine lines, promoting collagen production, and has soothing properties for irritated or sensitive skin.
- Targets skin concerns such as dryness, fatigue, and fine lines associated with aging skin.
- Suitable for various skin types, including sensitive skin.
Description:
- Vegan.
- Open Composition.
- Honest Farm.
- Natural Texture.
- I’m From Rice Toner features rice grown in Yeoju, the origin of the rice. The ‘GOA RICE’ delivers clean and clear skin, promoting a smooth and glowing complexion from within.
Suggested Use:
- Shake up and down before using.
- Swipe with a cotton pad or tap with your hands for optimal absorption.
Read my I’m From Rice toner review
If you already use a great hydrating toner but feel it’s not enough or you want your results faster – you can also use pads, soak them in the toner and put for 15 minutes on the dry area:
Best Exfoliating Toners (& Best Pore Tightening Toners)
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
One another “best” – can be counted as best skin toner for combination skin (used on oily areas), best toner for acne and best skin toner for oily skin – as has salicylic acid in it.
Experience the bestselling Glow Recipe Watermelon Toner, a gentle and hydrating solution designed to minimize pores.
- Suitable for all skin types,
- alcohol-free toner,
- PHA toner
- unclogs pores and provides essential hydration.
This glow recipe toner is crafted with watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and cactus water; this bouncy formula smooths and intensely hydrates, revealing a visibly glowing and pore-tight complexion. The addition of cactus water and cucumber imparts a refreshing herbal scent with a fruity finish.
Exfoliating toners with ingredients like salicylic acid and PHAs can contribute to improving skin texture, promoting skin elasticity, and can improve wrinkles over time.
Test results from a clinical study of 31 women revealed a significant reduction in the appearance of pore size by 100% after just 2 weeks.*
Directions:
- After cleansing in PM, dispense glow recipe watermelon toner into your palms and gently press into your face and neck until fully absorbed.
- Alternatively, apply with a cotton pad.
- Follow with sunscreen during the day.
- Avoid the eye area.
- Start slowly – once a week, then twice, then three times a week.
- Don’t over-use this exfoliating toner.
*Results may vary.
Best Face Toners for Sensitive Skin
Tower 28 SOS Spray
Soothing Skin Relief Toner: A fast-acting and soothing toner designed for quick relief for irritated skin. Incorporate into your skincare routine AM/PM to maintain and prevent redness and irritation.
- Key Ingredient: Hypochlorous Acid
- Like hyaluronic acid and ceramides (natural lipids), hypochlorous acid is naturally produced by your skin.
- It possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, defending your skin from harmful bacteria, reducing redness, and soothing irritation.
- Compatibility with Actives:
- If you use active ingredients like vitamin C, apply SOS Spray BEFORE any actives, allowing it to dry down fully first.
- The hero ingredient, hypochlorous acid, is fast-acting and won’t interact with other skincare products once dried down, including actives like vitamin C.
- Results and Consistency:
- Real results vary, with some experiencing changes in 3 days and others in 3 months.
- Consistency is key for optimal results.
- For best results, use AM/PM in combination with SOS Serum and SOS Cream.
- Always patch-test before introducing new skincare products.
Product Details:
- What it is:
- An award-winning daily facial spray that soothes and purifies stressed-out skin, calming visible irritation and redness.
- Highlighted Ingredients:
- Hypochlorous Acid: Naturally produced by the body’s immune system, it’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, defending against harmful bacteria, reducing redness, and soothing irritation.
- Water and Sodium Chloride: Act as the optimal delivery solution for hypochlorous acid.
- Ingredient Callouts:
- Vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free.
- Recyclable packaging.
- Additional Information:
- 100% natural, derm-tested, and clinically proven.
- pH balanced (4.5), alcohol-free, and safe for use all over the body.
- National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance™.