Toner is an important step in your skincare routine if you are looking to achieve glowing, healthy-looking skin. Even if your skincare routine only includes a cleanser and a moisturizer, it’s not too much to use a toner in between. You may be wondering, how does toner work?
Toner is a liquid formula that works by penetrating the skin layer to cleanse your skin to remove dirt and oil buildup. It does all these without ridding your skin of its natural oil. This allows dry, sensitive skin to tolerate the toner without irritating the skin.
It rids your skin of any stubborn dirt clinging to your pores even after washing it. This gives a smooth passage to other skincare products, making them absorb into the skin easily.
Read ahead to find out more information concerning this, as this article reveals to you all the necessary things you need to know about incorporating the use of a toner in your skincare routine.
How Does Toner Work for the Face?
Face toner works on the face by entering into the middle skin layer to slough off dead skin cells, along with dirt and oil buildup on your face. This helps your skin develop new skin cells, to give you smooth, fresh-looking skin.
This water-based liquid formula can absorb into the skin quickly, to deep cleanse the skin as well as hydrate the skin to create an easy entry for other skincare products and treatments to penetrate easily into the skin.
Toner works by deep cleansing the skin by removing dead skin cells and oil that can cause bacteria to the skin.
It helps to treat acne as it regulates oil production in the skin, rids the skin of bacteria, and soothes inflammation. It works to minimize the size of pores, thereby protecting the skin from environmental aggressors such as dust, sun, and so on.
Facial toner also works on your face to shrink your pores, thereby making them appear smaller. This, in turn, gives your face a glowing, smooth appearance.
Does Toner Work?
Toner does work on the skin to double cleanse the skin, as well as make the skin smooth and clean. Several board-certified dermatologists have attested to that fact.
For Rebecca Kazin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, toners help balance the skin’s pH level after cleansing the skin. However, toners are now functional for other skin treatments.
According to Dr. Ho Jin Kim, a board-certified dermatologist, “toner works to resolve skin issues, such as aging, acne, and dryness of the skin.” For oily skin, toner works to regulate oil production. While for dry skin, toner helps to hydrate the skin to prevent dryness.
A dermatologist, Joshua Zeichner says that “toners help all types of skin to treat various skin concerns, ranging from inflammation, aging signs, acne, down to uneven skin complexion.”
A New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hadley King says that the best option you can get for double cleansing your face to remove all forms of impurities is a toner.
Does Toner Work for Acne?
Toners are luxury skincare products that shouldn’t be eliminated from a skincare routine, especially for acne-prone skin. Toners can work to treat mild acne breakouts on the skin.
Acne breakouts happen when excess oil and dirt are blocking the skin pores. Toner works to treat mild acne breakouts by removing excess oil from clogging the pores and balancing the skin’s pH level.
When looking to treat mild acne, go for toners that contain salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and witch hazel. Apple cider vinegar is another ingredient that can help to treat mild acne breakouts.
The emphasis on ‘mild acne’ is because toner alone cannot help to treat persistent acne breakouts.
How Does Exfoliating Toner Work?
Exfoliating toners work by removing dead skin cells from the surface of your skin; to get rid of skin concerns such as clogged pores and aging. It does all that to brighten your skin, reduce breakouts and cleanse your pores.
Corey L. Hartman, board-certified dermatologist, and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatologist say that “the best exfoliating toner to opt for is one that contains alpha, beta or polyhydroxy.”
“These components gently smoothen the skin by boosting the rate of skin cell turnover. They also work to regulate oil production and bacteria in the pores,” Dr. Hartman explains further.
These active ingredients help to slough off dead cells and excess oil from clogging the cells, whilst also promoting skin cell turnover and balancing the skin’s pH level.
How Does Witch Hazel Toner Work?
According to Racheal Nazarian, a board-certified dermatologist, witch hazel is an astringent that contains anti-inflammatory properties. Witch hazel toner works by deep cleansing the skin by removing dead skin cells and oil that can cause bacteria to the skin.
It helps to treat acne as it regulates oil production in the skin, rids the skin of bacteria, and soothes inflammation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use toner on your face daily?
Yes, you can. Face toner is best applied to your face in your everyday skincare routine.
However, if your toner is chemical-based, and you have dry or sensitive skin, wait till your skin can tolerate frequent use of the toner before you begin to use it daily. This will help you reduce the risk of side effects such as irritation and redness of the skin.
Should you apply toner on wet or dry skin?
Apply your toner on dry skin. If you are looking to balance your skin’s pH level, toners are best applied on dry skin, rather than on wet skin.
After cleansing your face, ensure that you blot it dry with a clean towel before you apply toner to your face.
Is toner bad for your face?
No, it isn’t. Toner does nothing but good to the skin, ranging from unclogging pores, and double cleansing the skin, down to hydrating it as well.
However, to avoid irritating your skin, it is best to opt for a natural plant-based toner that is free from any form of chemicals and toxins.
Should you moisturize before or after toning your face?
Moisturize after using your toner on your face. The best time to use moisturizer is after removing all the dirt in your pores.
Only by doing this will your pores accommodate and enjoy the benefits of using the Moisturizer.
Should you wash toner off your face after applying it?
No, you shouldn’t. Toners are not meant to be washed off of your face. You are meant to leave the toner on after applying it, and moisturize to seal in hydration on your skin.
Conclusion
Face toner works on the face by entering into the middle skin layer to slough off dead skin cells, along with dirt and oil buildup on your face. This helps your skin develop new skin cells, to give you smooth, fresh-looking skin.
This water-based liquid formula can absorb into the skin quickly, to deep cleanse the skin as well as hydrate the skin to create an easy entry for other skincare products and treatments to penetrate easily into the skin.
Facial toner also works on your face to shrink your pores, thereby making them appear smaller. This, in turn, gives your face a glowing, smooth appearance.
Thanks for reading.
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