Toners have made their comeback to the skincare world and have been a staple for many skincare enthusiasts. If you’re wondering about what’s the hype of this watery textured product, their benefits and if they are worth the investment, this article is for you! We will break down everything you need to know about toners down to Skin Library curated product recommendations!
Evolution of Skincare toners
Tonic waters, also commonly known as toners, have evolved since the first time it was first discovered back in the early 1900s. Back in the days, they mainly were composed of alcohol as astringents which focus on removing all the natural oil in our skin to make them feel tight. This tight and squeaky clean skin is highly associated with a clean face up until recently. As our knowledge also evolves with time, we know that drying alcohol can be bad for our skin, and it should be avoided, especially for sensitive and dry skin. Luckily, now we have so many options from different types of toners to pick from based on our skin type or concern.
General benefits of toners:
First and foremost, you’ll wonder what a toner does and the benefits of toners in general. Toners are one of those versatile products yet very beneficial for our skin. Here we list some of their benefits:
1. Balance pH level of the skin
Our skin’s normal pH level is around 5.5. This acidity level is an essential part of our skin barrier to protect our skin from external irritants and water loss. However, washing our face will raise our skin’s pH (the normal pH of water is 7.0), which will disrupt our skin’s ecosystem. Since most toners have a pH ranging from 5.0 – 6.0, this will rebalance our skin’s pH back to its normal state after we wash our face.
2. Hydrate the skin
Although they might look just like water, toners are more than just water. They are packed with other water-attracting ingredients, antioxidants, soothing and many other skin-benefiting ingredients to help restore your skin barrier and hydration. Do you know that when your skin is hydrated, your following product will be able to absorb more quickly to your skin? This will make your serum work even better.
Imagine pouring water into a dry sponge compared to a hydrated sponge. The hydrated sponge will absorb the water much easier once it is hydrated with water. The same goes for our skin!
3. Remove skin impurities
Have you ever noticed some “dirt” leftover after you cleanse your face? Either if its’ due to an ineffective cleanser or if you haven’t rinse your face properly, toners can help you solve this issue. Even better, some toners with exfoliating ingredients can help remove dead skin cells and help your other products to work more effectively!
Types of toners:
Toners are not created equally, and some can serve different purposes. There are three different types of toners to choose from:
Hydrating
This is one of the most common toners you can find in K-beauty. These toners are gentle, and you can use them daily to add that boost of hydration to your skin. More than just water, they usually contain other water-attracting ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid.
Exfoliating
In this type of toner, you can find several exfoliating ingredients. Either if it’s AHA, BHA, PHA or combinations of all, they work to remove unwanted dead skin cells and make your skin softer, smoother and brighter.
Librarian tip: If you’re new to using exfoliating products, build your skin tolerance and start slowly. This rule also applies to exfoliating toners. Even when the label mentions that they are safe for use daily, you should begin slowly from 1 – 2 times a week and be mindful of how your skin reacts. Step up your exfoliating routine gradually, one step at a time!
Astringents
While conventional astringents that we all know back in the days contain mainly alcohol, astringents nowadays contain ingredients like witch hazel which can be a lot gentler on the skin. Their oil-absorbing properties can make your pores shrink in an instant. This can be an excellent option for those who have oily and large pore issues due to oil overproduction. However, it’s not for everyone, especially if you have dry and sensitive skin; try to avoid astringents.
Ways to apply a toner
Toners are multi-functional, they can be used in so many ways based on your lifestyle, preferences, or skin needs. There are several ways you can use them and how you can benefit from each one of them
1. Hand
This is one of the most practical and economical ways to use toners. You can dispense an appropriate amount of product to your palm and pat them on your skin.
Librarian tip: Have you ever heard of the Korean 7-skin-method? This is a beauty secret from Korea, where they layer thin layers of one toner seven times. It is an effective way to add that EXTRA boost of hydration to your dehydrated skin.
2. Cotton pad
When you need that extra gentle swipe of exfoliation and cleansing, you can use a cotton pad. Soak a cotton pad with your favourite toner and wipe it in an outward-upward motion all over your face and down the neck.
Librarian tip: Do you know that you can create a DIY sheet mask using your toner? Soak cotton pads with your choice of toner, and then use them just like any other regular sheet mask! A great way to make the most out of your toner
3. Spray - mist
Yes! Your hydrating toners can be your hydrating mist as well. You can put them in an empty spray bottle, carry them anywhere and spray them whenever you feel like you need extra hydration during the day.
Librarian tip: Double toning! Yes, you can also two toners in one routine. Try this method when you combine exfoliating toners and hydrating toners. While the exfoliating toners work by removing the dead skin cells which increases the tendency for your skin to lose more water and hydration, hydrating toners will come to compensate that. Say hello to bright and supple skin!
Skin library’s recommendation of toner for every skin type:
Now that you are convinced about incorporating toner into your skincare routine, we’ll give you some of our recommendations for your specific skin concerns.
Oily, acne-prone skin
Look for a product that contains BHA, Niacinamide, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel or Willow Bark extract. This can help control your overall sebum production and therefore control your acne.
Somebymi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Dry skin
Focus on hydrating toners that contain a concentrated amount of water and water-attracting ingredients like hyaluronic acid, propolis, and glycerin to solve your dry-flaky skin issue.
Sensitive skin
For sensitive skin, avoid toners with alcohol or astringents or fragrances at all cost. Instead, opt for toners that are rich in skin-soothing ingredients like Centella Asiatica, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Calendula, and Bamboo extracts to help calm down your irritated skin.
iSOi Cicago Cica Expert Mist Toner, Centella Asiatica Extract
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Dull skin
Are you looking for toners to brighten up your overall complexion? Products with chemical exfoliators (glycolic acid, lactic acid), liquorice root extract, rice extract, and niacinamide or other skin-brightening ingredients are the way to go!
Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Toner
Ageing skin
Look for toners containing a high amount of extracts rich in antioxidant and proven plant extract that can battle premature sign of ageing, such as rose water, green tea, algae, quinoa, or resveratrol. This will prevent the formation of premature wrinkles / fine lines and keep your skin plump and soft for the longest time.
ACWELL Betaglution Ultra Moisture Toner
Takeaway: We are glad to share the secret behind why toners have been such a big hit in the skincare industry. Toners themselves can be very beneficial, but their benefit doesn’t stop there since it also boosts other product’s performances. What’s not to love from them, right? There are many toners for every skin concern and type, and we’ve summed up our top picks only for you. Your skin will thank you! Yes, you’re welcome ;)
- By Claudia Christin (@Funskincare)
MBBS, Ph.D. (Dermatology)