It's part of the classic 3-step skincare routine – cleanse, tone, moisturise – but what does toner do? In this guide, we're shining a light on beauty's most mysterious product. Keep reading to find out what toner does for your skin and how to choose the right one for you.
Understanding Toner
What is Toner?
Toner is a liquid skincare product that looks and feels like water but does so much more. It's typically applied after cleansing and before any serums or moisturisers go on.
What toner does to your face is remove any lingering traces of dirt or makeup that your cleanser has missed, while priming your skin for the next stage of skincare. Different types of toners achieve different results, but most aim to hydrate, soothe and refine the appearance of skin.
History and Evolution of Toners
Before modern-day cleansers were invented, people used to wash their faces with soap. Soap is alkaline and leaves a filmy residue on the skin. Toner was invented to remove this filmy residue and return the skin to its normal pH level.
These early toners had to be strong in order to do their job. But that meant they were also very harsh on the skin, and their often alcohol-based formulas would cause intense dryness.
As skincare evolved, formulations moved away from alcohol and towards more nourishing ingredients. Modern toners now contain things like glycerin, which hydrates skin, and rose water, which has soothing properties.
Benefits of Using Toner
There are multiple benefits to incorporating toner into your skincare routine. Here are some of the most important ones.
Hydration
Toners have a high water content, which makes them super hydrating. On top of this, most contain ingredients that are specifically designed to boost and help retain moisture. Some of the most popular are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera.
Pore Tightening
One of the most common reasons why people choose to use a toner is because of its pore-shrinking properties. Ingredients like witch hazel act as an astringent, tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of pores. This gives a smoother look overall and helps makeup glide on more easily.
pH Balance Restoration
Skin's natural pH level ranges between 4 and 7 on the pH scale, making it acidic leaning. Alkaline cleansers can therefore upset the natural balance. Toners are usually neutral or slightly acidic, so using one post-cleansing can help restore the skin to its natural pH level. This is important for maintaining skin barrier function.
Enhanced Absorption of Skincare Products
Toners remove excess dirt and oil from the skin, leaving it clean and ready for moisturising. They also create a smooth base that facilitates better absorption of serums and creams. This means the active ingredients can have a greater effect.
Types of Toners
Toners can fulfil many different functions, depending on the formulation.
Hydrating Toners
Hydrating toners are specifically formulated to inject moisture into the skin – a far cry from the skin-stripping toners of the past. The key ingredients to look for are glycerine, hyaluronic acid, squalane and ceramides. Clarins Hydrating Toning Lotion is great, as is Sukin's handy, on-the-go Hydrating Mist Toner.
Astringent Toners
Astringents remove excess oil and shrink pore size. They can also be drying, so they're best suited to oily skin types. Witch hazel is a commonly used ingredient with astringent properties. Vichy's Normaderm Purifying Astringent Lotion Toner contains salicylic acid, which also penetrates pores and helps prevent blackheads.
Soothing Toners
Soothing toners can calm irritation and reduce inflammation. They're often the best choice for men, who can use a soothing toner to help reduce discomfort after shaving. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera are also effective at soothing redness, making them a great option for people with rosacea, eczema or other sensitive skin conditions.
How to Use Toner
As with all skincare, formula will only take you halfway. The other half comes down to application – here's how to get it right.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
- Cleanse your skin with a cleanser formulated for your skin type.
- Use a cotton pad to gently swipe the toner across your face and neck.
- Wait around 30 seconds for the toner to absorb slightly.
- Apply any serums you are currently using.
- Seal everything in with a moisturiser.
- Repeat this process morning and evening.
Best Practices
You can maximize the benefits of toner by following best practices:
- Apply within a minute of cleansing while your skin is still damp for enhanced absorption.
- Swipe in upward motions to avoid dragging on the skin, which can contribute to the effects of ageing.
- Avoid getting too close to the eye area, especially before you go to bed.
- A little goes a long way, especially with astringent toners.
- When trying new products, start by using them once a day to see how your skin reacts.
Morning vs Evening Use
If you use a hydrating or soothing toner, you can apply it morning and night with no problems. But if you're using an astringent formula, you might find it's too strong to use before going about your day. Instead, look for a refreshing toner that will wake your skin up and draw out impurities gathered overnight.
Choosing the Right Toner for Your Skin Type
The great thing about having such a wide variety of toners on the market is that there really is something for everyone. The downside is that it can be hard to know which one will suit you. Here's what you should look for in a toner, depending on your skin type.
Dry and Sensitive Skin
Dry skin types need moisture boosted at every opportunity. Hydrating toners containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin will help to prevent flaking and leave skin feeling plump. If your skin is sensitive too, soothing toners containing aloe vera and chamomile will reduce redness and irritation.
Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
Oily and acne-prone skin needs a clarifying toner that will regulate sebum production and reduce inflammation. Scan the label for witch hazel (also called hamamelis virginiana), salicylic acid and zinc PCA, which has antibacterial properties.
Combination Skin
Combination skin is best served by an all-round toner. If this is your skin type, try to find products that contain niacinamide and other balancing ingredients that hydrate while regulating oil production. You can also consider using separate toners for different areas of the face.
Common Ingredients in Toners
In your hunt for the perfect toner, you'll come across plenty of ingredients without knowing what they do. We've compiled the most common ones into the below list that you can refer back to at any time.
Beneficial Ingredients
- Hyaluronic acid is proven to increase skin moisture, improving hydration and reducing signs of ageing.
- Glycerin attracts water from the air and locks it into the skin for a hydrating effect.
- Aloe vera soothes, calms and moisturises skin, and has mild antibacterial properties.
- Rose water can help balance pH levels, refine pores and brighten skin.
- Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and soothe irritation.
- Niacinamide improves skin barrier function and evens out texture.
- Salicylic acid is a mild exfoliant that unclogs pores and reduces excess oil.
- Green tea extract contains antioxidants that protect against environmental stressors.
Ingredients to Avoid
There are some ingredients that do more harm than good, especially when it comes to sensitive skin. Potentially harmful ingredients that should generally be avoided include:
- Alcohol – high alcohol content toners are often very drying and irritating.
- Synthetic fragrances – these can cause irritation and inflammation.
- Parabens – preservatives with potential hormone-disrupting effects.
- Sulfates – harsh detergents that strip the skin of its natural oils.
Whether you're dry or oily, combination or sensitive, explore our full range of toners to find the perfect match for your skin.
