Do You Really Need To Use A Toner?
Do you really need to tone, is the one thing guaranteed to divide a room of skin experts. This question has caused so much confusion about this single step in your skincare routine and it all comes down to miscommunication and over promising what exactly a toner can do. Plus I’ll be giving you my recommendations for the best 6 toners!
Toners Don’t Close Open Pores
Firstly, lets squash the biggest misunderstanding, toners close open pores. Pores aren’t doors and they certainly don’t respond to a quick wipe of a toner no matter how good the formulation is, whilst we are the subject of pores they also don’t respond to different changes in temperatures. The original toners used to contain alcohol and were often described as astringents, and this is where the claim closing pores really stems from.
Toners Aren’t Part Of Your Cleansing Routine
Not only have toner formulations changed, but also so have cleansers. Historically you may have also heard of toners being referred to as an integral step to ensuring your cleanser was fully removed. This was due to the surfactants found in cleansers that could cause irritation, blockages in the pores and dryness if they weren’t removed. Fast forward 10 years and cleansers now contain gentle and natural surfactants that don’t cause any of these negative issues for the skin.
Amongst all the confusion is the belief that toners ensure your skin is squeaky clean, pores are spotless and the last hangers-on of pollution, makeup and SPF are gone. If you are relying on your toner to do this, I would ask you to rethink your cleansing routine. Double cleansing in the evening is the perfect way and is more than enough cleansing to ensure the skin is left perfectly clean. That said if you have wanted to put your cleansing regime to the test and wipe a cotton pad around the hairline, down the neck and around the corners of the nose it will soon show you how good your cleansing regime is.
Toners Balance Your pH
Another belief is toners balance the pH of your skin, there is some truth in is this however this really depends on what you’re using for cleansing. If your cleansing routine contains products that are disturbing the pH level of your skin i.e., too acidic, or too alkaline then you will need to balance your pH as this is sure fire way to damage your skin barrier if the pH level isn’t balanced.
What Do Toners Do?
Before you decide do you actually need to tone, let’s talk about toners that are available today and how and what they can do for you skin.
Think of toners as the preparation step, they easily can increase hydration levels, load the skin with antioxidants which your skin needs throughout the day to defend itself, and often they give your skins microbiome a helping hand with pre and probiotics to keep the skin healthy and glowing. They sound like they deliver a lot but don’t think of this as a replacement for your serum. I am a fan of a toners, but I do think is important making sure you get the best one for your skin and the one that meets your expectations of what you want it to do.
Spritz Or Wipe
Before we get into my recommendations, one thing I do think you should consider is how much time you have in the morning, and do you want something that is super easy that you can spritz on or wipe on with a cotton pad.
The Best 6 Toners
Best Toners For A Dehydrated Skin
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner
Packed with real rose petals to create a flower water, a rose fruit extract and a rose damascena oil (the queen of all the roses) and combined with super star hydrator hyaluronic acid. Skin feels refreshed, smoothed, soothed and the hydration levels are increased by 46% in just 6 hrs. As the hydration is over 6hrs I would recommend this is for someone that has thirsty skin and a skin which can feel tight by lunch time.
Decleor Neroli Bigarade Facial Toner
Proven to hydrate the skin in just one hour, with neroli essential oil and orange peel extract to fight against the dehydration and provide antioxidant protection. Neroli Bigarade a brilliant toner that provides a flash of hydration and given you get an instant hit it will benefit the rest of your skincare and really key if you are using a hyaluronic acid serum.
Best All Rounder Toner For Skin Health
Elemis Superfood Kefir Mist
This is more than a toner which makes this mist so beneficial and versatile. Superfood Kefir Mist can be used as a toner or as a hydrating mist, combining ingredients which are rich in probiotics to promote a balanced microbiome, ensuring a healthy skin. Keep this mist with you in the day and spray this when you are out and about, and it will really help with hydration levels, breakouts, and sensitivity.
Best Toner For Compromised Skin Barriers Including Rosacea
La Roche Posay Soothing Lotion
La Roche Posay is my go-to if ever anyone contacts me to explain they have an irritated skin or there is a sign the skin barrier has been compromised. Skin feels soothed and calmed, complexion appears more even and balanced. Immediately restores the equilibrium of the skin and the thermal spring waters are rich in selenium an essential trace element needed by the body to help protect the skin from free radicals which can contribute and irritate skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Formulated with highly effective, gentle combination of ingredients to ensure La Roche Posay Soothing Lotion is perfect for a sensitive skin also gentle enough if you’re struggling with rosacea.
Best Toner For A Dry Skin
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Liquid Moisturising Toner
As you know I am hugely passionate about the skin barrier and if you are struggling with your skin, I will ask you to consider how healthy and strong is your skin barrier. Using a ceramide toner is the easiest way to support the repair of the skin barrier. This is bordering on being an essence as and its best applied with your fingers rather the reusable cotton pads, you will notice it feels more like an essence. Nevertheless, it’s brilliant a blend of 5 ceramides and vitamin B5 and you will see a huge difference if you just can’t keep hydration in the skin and your skin is a like a leaky bucket.
Best Toner For Sensitive Skin
Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic
Created with brilliant botanicals to immediately soothe and calm which leave the skin feeling refreshed and comforted. At the heart of the formula is aloe vera to hydrate and nurture the skin and calendula petals which are renowned for their ability to reduce inflammation in the skin helping to tackle sensitivity and keep it at bay. Combining legendary ingredients is why Instant Boost Skin Tonic is a sure fire if you are struggling with your skin or your skin is known to have monthly flare ups and you want to keep them at bay.
Toners can also add another level of skincare complexity, should you use exfoliating toners and that’s for another blog coming soon.
Happy toning!
Thank You For Reading
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.
Stay tuned for more blogs and follow me on social media for latest launches and more skin school.
Bye for now,
Fiona x
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