What Does Toner Do For Your Face?

Some people religiously use toner however some people never do, so in this article we will be talking all about toners; how to use it, its benefits and much more. So read on to find out more on how toners are an important part of your skincare routine.

What Is Toner?

Skin toner or ‘toner’ refers to a lotion, tonic or wash designed to cleanse the skin and shrink the appearance of pores, usually used on the face after cleansing. It also moisturises, protects and refreshes the skin.

 

What Does A Toner Do?

Many people seem to think toners are an unnecessary step in the skincare routine and over the years it has had different purposes.
Traditionally, they were used to remove excess oil from the skin and were especially useful for people who had acne. Its function was to completely cleanse the skin and often they were formulated to be very astringent to remove any traces of oil and debris. They also contained high concentrations of alcohol meaning they were quite drying and potentially damaging to the skin!

Today's toners contain a variety of soothing, brightening, and anti-ageing ingredients, still functioning to remove remaining traces of debris. Today’s toners are designed to nourish and replenish the skin after cleansing; act as a primer for the rest of your skincare products and prepare for applications of more active strength ingredients.

When To Use A Toner (Day and Night)

Generally, toners can be used twice a day during the morning and evening skincare routine following on from your cleanser usage. These things can be trial and error and can depend on your skin type, skin concerns and the ingredients in the toner. Based on this, It can be best to start with once a day and gradually build up to twice daily.

How To Use A Toner

Toners should be used immediately after you have cleansed your face, but before you apply any oils, moisturiser, or sun cream. This is because it helps to further cleanse the face by removing dead skin cells, and its beneficial properties, such as balancing out the pH levels of the skin, work towards keeping your skin happy and healthy.

The most common way to apply toner to your face is through the use of a cotton ball or pad.

To apply:

1. Moisten the cotton pad with a few drops of the toner
2. Ensure the cotton wool is damp, but not soaked
3. Begin with the centre of your face and gently sweep the cotton pad outward, avoiding the lips and delicate eye area

Benefits Of Toner

There are several benefits to toner such as:

• A deeper cleanse - The benefits of a double cleanse are now well known, but toners can also provide the secondary cleanse. They'll get rid of any leftover makeup that your regular cleanser missed, whilst also removing excess oil and grime that’s built up during the day or night.
• A balanced complexion - Toners don’t just provide an additional cleanse, they also work to restore skin with the nutrients that traditional cleansers can remove. The result is often softer and smoother skin as well as helping with stubborn issues like redness.
• Balanced pH levels - Using a product with a very different pH level to your skin can disrupt its usual functions, potentially leading to dryness, oiliness, or irritation. Although your skin’s pH can recover within a matter of hours, a toner can be used to quickly balance levels meaning better efficiency of products.
• Support for the rest of your routine - Using a toner can also help your skin better absorb other products you use! When skin is dry, other ingredients will sit on top, however when it’s hydrated with a toner, these ingredients can penetrate the skin and work more effectively.

We suggest trying Obagi Nu-Derm 2 Toner! It’s fresh, lightweight and clinically proven to build on your results!

There are other toner’s available to target specific concerns such as heavy graded acne or skin texture, however some are prescription strength so require a skin analysis prior. So if you’re in need of more advanced help, seek to find a skin specialist to offer you some guidance.

We know all these products can be confusing especially with so many mixed messages and what’s right or wrong so for any further information on toner or skincare in general, book an online skin consultation with our GlowBay expert and get all the clarification you need on what’s best for you!