What is a Face Toner? Face Toner Benefits and How to Use it
Time to set the record straight about toner, your skincare ritual’s most misunderstood step.
Toner is everywhere these days — the “get-unready-with-me” TikTok videos flooding your timeline, and toner has long been a trend in K-beauty. But what exactly does a face toner do? How do you know if toner is right for your ritual? And are you sure it’s not just fancy water you spritz on your face?
Let’s get into the benefits of toner, how to use one, and a few do’s and don’ts you need to know.
WHAT IS FACE TONER?
Toner can be a refreshing, soothing step in your skincare ritual, placed smack dab after cleansing but before applying your favorite serums.
FACE TONER BENEFITS
Not too long ago, toners were associated with harsh alcohols and dry, stripping ingredients. Today, partially because of the K-beauty movement ushered in a new era of hydration (hello, glass skin trend!) Today, toners serve a wider variety of purposes — especially based on the ingredients in their formula.
Here are some of the top benefits of adding a toner to your skincare ritual:
- Some say toners may help to prime your skin to absorb the beneficial ingredients in your serums and moisturizers
- Toners with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can help hydrate
- Ingredients like aloe vera or rose water can help soothe skin
- Ingredients like niacinamide or lactic acid can help visibly brighten
GET TO KNOW TRANQUIL ESSENCE TONER
We designed this dermatologist developed toner-essence hybrid to be a moment of soothing replenishment in your day.
Here are a few things that make our Tranquil Essence Toner special:
- The formula is free of drying alcohols. It’s gentle and hydrating
- Rose water and glycerin help hydrate skin while Aloe vera helps soothe and cool
- Bamboo leaf extract leaves skin with a softer feeling
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TONER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE
Depending on your skin type, you might look for toners that serve different purposes.
For example, those with dry skin types might seek out toners that deliver an extra boost of hydration with ingredients like rose water or hyaluronic acid, while those with sensitive skin might best enjoy fragrance-free options. Acne-prone skin types might look for brightening ingredients like niacinamide in a toner.
It comes down to your preferences and how your skin reacts. There’s no one set of offerings that works for everyone, so don’t be afraid to try new things! Your skin, your ritual.
HOW TO USE TONER IN YOUR SKINCARE RITUAL
Adding a toner into your daily ritual is pretty simple. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser like our Golden Face Cleanser with Manuka Honey. After cleansing, all you need to do is pour a few drops of toner onto a cotton pad or your (clean!) hands, then gently press the liquid into your face and neck.
Allow the toner to dry before moving onto the next steps in your ritual. After toner, you might apply a serum to target specific skin concerns. For example, the Promise Serum with Niacinamide helps brighten and balance skin’s appearance
Then, wrap up your ritual with your favorite SPF in the morning (remember to reapply at least every two hours)
In the evening, reach for your go-to moisturizer after cleansing, toning, and applying your serum(s). Skin Transformation Cream, for example, contains bakuchiol, an antioxidant-rich plant extract that helps plump the look of skin, while nourishing ceramides help support a healthy skin barrier.
Q: CAN YOU USE FACE TONER EVERYDAY?
Yes, especially if your toner is a gentle and hydrating one. For offerings that are more about exfoliating (say they have acids like glycolic or lactic as a main ingredient in the formula) it’s best to start slow.
Start with applying the toner a few times a week and work your way up — but only if your skin likes it. If you have any concerns, try a patch test or ask your dermatologist.
Q: SHOULD YOU USE MOISTURIZER OR TONER FIRST?
According to our resident dermatologist Dr. Renée Synder (the very derm who developed our alcohol-free, soothing Tranquil Essence Toner), moisturizer comes after toner in the order of your skincare.
She says: “If just starting a routine, I recommend the three basics: cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. It’s even better if it’s a moisturizer with SPF added.”
Q: CAN YOU LEAVE TONER ON YOUR FACE OVERNIGHT?
Toner’s main purpose is to absorb into the skin so it can deliver its benefits, so it’s not meant to be washed away like a cleanser would be. Just make sure your toner is gentle and nourishing, especially if you’re using it as part of your PM ritual. Think of it like a soft whisper gently telling your skin to rest and recover.
Follow nightly toner with a serum that addresses a specific skin concern based on your skin type; for example, if you have dry skin, you may want to focus on extra hydrating serums. Finally, lock in all the benefits of your entire ritual with your favorite moisturizer for good measure.
Are you team toner? Tell us if you’ll be adding this step to your skincare ritual any time soon, and why (or why not).
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