What Does Toner Do for Your Face? Don't Skip This Step!

We all know that skin care is an important part of our daily routines, but there seems to be one step that a lot of people forget or just don't bother with - toner.

You've seen it at the store, so you might be thinking, "What does skin toner do and why should I use it?"

Well, you won't believe what this little product can do for your skin! Not only can toner help balance out oily or dry patches on your face, but it also helps keep dirt and acne-causing bacteria away from your pores.

In other words, if you're looking for brighter and more even skin in addition to acne prevention then don't skip on than a bottle of toner!

Keep reading this post to learn why everyone should make sure they fit regular toning into their skin care routine!

What is Skin Toner?

Skin toner is a skincare product used as part of a daily cleansing routine. It works to restore balance, shrink pores, and remove any leftover impurities from the skin after using facial cleanser.

Toners contain active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, witch hazel, and other botanical extracts that soothe and nourish the skin while removing excess oil.

The specific formulation should be chosen based on your skin type; for example an astringent or hydrating toner might be better for oily skin or dry and dehydrated complexions respectively.

Regular use of this essential step on your skin after cleansing can keep the complexion looking smooth and clear. Here are some of the magical tricks that facial toner can do for your skin.

Oil Balancing

Skin toner is a great way to balance and maintain the oil in your skin. By removing excess dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin's surface, toners prevent pore clogging that can cause acne breakouts for healthier looking skin.

Toners help regulate sebum production and maintain hydration levels by providing moisture to facial tissues.

Additionally, many modern toners contain ingredients like salicylic acid that work to reduce inflammation on the skin’s surface—a common cause of oily or greasy looking skin—while helping with cell turnover for an even complexion.

Overall, using a toner will help you keep your oil levels balanced over time!

Restoring pH Balance

One of the primary functions of a skin toner is to restore the skin's pH balance. Cleansers, especially those with a high pH, can disrupt the skin's natural pH, making it more alkaline.

Skin toners, formulated with ingredients like hydrosols or floral waters, help rebalance the skin's pH to its optimal level, which is slightly acidic.

Restoring the skin's pH helps maintain its natural protective barrier, keeping it healthy and less susceptible to environmental stressors.

Refining Pores

Skin toners can also aid in refining the appearance of pores. Skin toners that contain ingredients such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, or salicylic acid are known to have many health benefits and can help refine pores.

Witch hazel has astringent properties which help tighten the skin and reduce pore size while tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial, helping to keep bacteria from clogging up the pores.

Salicylic acid exfoliates the outer layers of skin, clearing away dirt. This ingredient will remove dead skin cells while also helping unclog pores.

All three of these ingredients work together to make an effective solution for refining your pores.

Moisture Boost & Hydration

Many skin toners contain humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid. These humectants act as excellent skin moisturizers and hydrators.

Humectants attract water from the environment and help to draw it into the skin, while locking it in at a deeper level. This helps keep moisture within the epidermis, resulting in better hydrated and smoother skin.

What’s more, since these humectants work to retain moisture rather than leave an oily residue on your face, they can help with preventing acne caused by oils accumulating on the skin surface.

When applied correctly every day, this process of moisturizing can greatly improve overall complexion health!

Enhancing Absorption of Skincare Products

Skin toners prepare the skin for better absorption of subsequent skincare products.

By lightly dampening the skin with a toner, you create a moist environment that allows serums, moisturizers, and oils to penetrate more effectively.

This maximizes the benefits of the products you apply afterward, ensuring that they are absorbed deeply into the skin, more than they would absorb without applying a toner. This is especially helpful for aging skin.

Refreshing and Soothing

Skin toners often contain ingredients with soothing properties, such as aloe vera, chamomile, or rose water to keep your skin refreshed.

These ingredients help calm and refresh the skin, providing a gentle and comforting sensation.

This is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive, irritated skin or conditions such as rosacea. Toners can help alleviate redness and inflammation that these skin conditions can cause.

Dr. Ingky, a skincare influencer on TikTok, explains what toners can do for your skin in this video:

Choosing the Right Toner for Your Skin Type

It is important to select a face toner that suits your specific skin type and concerns. Consider the following guidelines for each of the different skin types.

Dry Skin: Look for toners that contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Oily Skin/Combination Skin: Opt for facial toners with astringent properties, such as witch hazel or tea tree oil, to help control excess sebum in oily skin and minimize the appearance of pores.

Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, choose alcohol-free and fragrance-free toners that contain soothing ingredients like chamomile or aloe vera. Choosing a gentle toner so it won't irritate sensitive skin.

Acne-Prone Skin: Consider toners with acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide to help control breakouts and promote clearer skin.

Will Drugstore Toners Do the Job?

Although there are many benefits to using an expensive toner, drugstore brands can also be a great option.

Drugstore toners tend to be more affordable and accessible than their pricier counterparts, which makes them a great choice for those who want the same results but don’t have much money to spend.

While generic drugstore toners may not contain all of the same active ingredients that expensive brands do, they still work effectively in promoting healthy skin.

For instance, these budget-friendly products go beyond just removing excess oil from your face; they can help balance the pH of your skin as well as reduce inflammation and irritation.

Additionally, even drugstore toners often come with additional elements like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera that can make them even more beneficial for your skin health!

Don't Skip This Step!

The power of skin toners cannot be overstated. Whether you’re trying to soothe inflammation, balance oil production, or just give your skin tone a boost, a good toner might just be the pick-me-up your skin needs.

With such a choice variety available, there really is no reason not to try out a few until you find ‘the one’ that works for you.

Grab some toner because it is time to say hello to beautiful skin! Go forth and level up your skincare regime with confidence!