What is a toner? And is it essential or necessary in your daily skincare regime? Putting an additional step between cleansing and moisturiser can be worthwhile… here’s exactly why you need to be toning your skin.
#1 Cleanse
Toners work as an extra cleansing step to remove any traces of makeup, excess oil and impurities that your cleansers did not catch. A quick gentle wipe with toner is like extra insurance that your face is really clean. If you don’t properly get rid of the stubborn dirt and makeup that can build up and clog pores, it will lead to breakouts and a dull, congested and textured-looking complexion.
#2 Prep your skin
Face toners are formulated to prep the skin and facilitate active ingredient penetration from your other skincare products. Think of your skin as a sponge. Serums and moisturizers will be more fully absorbed when prepped with toner than when the skin is dry. In fact, if your skin is dry, skincare products will just sit on top of the layer of dead skin and fail to penetrate the skin.
#3 Restore pH balance of your skin
Simply cleansing your face with the face wash or soap you use can throw off the natural acidic balance of the skin, disrupting the oil-moisture balance. An acidic or low pH toner needs to be used to restore your skin’s pH to around 5.5 (the optimal level of health). It keeps your skin hydrated, protected, and healthy.
#4 Shrink the appearance of pores
Toners clean and tighten pores. They help tighten cell gaps after cleansing, reducing the penetration of impurities and debris into the skin. Applying a toner after cleansing your skin keep your skin visibly smoother, younger-looking.