Skin Care 101: The Importance & Confusion of Toners

Hi Ladies!

When you start to get a little older and realize the importance of a great skincare routine there are a few items that you simply can not live without. You need to start with a good face wash (I made a post a few days ago about face washes, see skincare), toner, moisturizer, spot treatments, eye cream, etc. When I talk about having a good skincare routine with some of my friends they all seem to be missing a toner. Toners have a bad reputation most people think they will dry you out, they are too harsh, or people just think that they are not necessary and they really don’t make a difference. I can not tell you enough how important a toner is in your life…

If you are using a toner correctly within your skincare routine you will notice a serious difference in your skin. Toners will make your skin more radiant, smooth, and glowing. Depending on the type of toner you are using also, they can help you fight acne, help with anti-aging, and help hydrate. The basic function of a toner is to restore your skin’s pH balance after washing your face with soap which can take the pH levels of your skin down to levels that are bad for your skin but by using a toner regularly you will constantly restore the balance which is where you get the amazing affects on your skin. It’s important to remember though that just like face washes, there are different kinds of toners that will work best with different skin types. In this post I chose to focus on toners that had great reviews and you could find on the internet so that everyone has access to them, remember that these are only recommendations you can take the tips I give you and find a toner from another brand if you would like. 

Oily & Blemish Prone Skin: 

• If you have oily or blemish prone skin you need to be extra careful when looking for toners but it’s also crucial for you to be using a toner. When you are looking for a toner you should know that choosing a toner that states that it is going to help stop oiliness or help with acne is not one that you want to use. Often times, choosing a toner that states it will make you less oily or that it will help with your acne will actually irritate you skin more and make the blemishes worse because of the harsh ingredients within them (alcohol, witch hazel, and menthol). Using a toner like this will cause your skin to become more oily at the base of the pore, cause more redness, and it is likely to cause you acne to be worse. Instead, look for toners that can help smooth and soothe your skin. You want to find a toner that will help repair your skins surface, reduce the size of pores, and contain cell communication ingredients that can help train your pores into handling the excess amount of oil that your skin is producing. 
• Acne Prone Skin Toner: Stark Skin Care White Willow Bark Perfecting Toner ($20). This is a great toner because of the natural ingredients like willow bark which is actually a natural form of salicylic acid (an acid that helps fight acne and exfoliate the skins surface). 
• Oily Skin Toner: Origins Zero Oil Pore Purifying Toner ($25). This toner is also great because it is made with palmetto which is a berry that actually helps the cells manage the excess oil that your skin is creating without becoming overly dry. 

Dry & Sensitive Skin: 

• If you have dry skin you probably understand the fear in using a toner because a lot of toners contain acids that can dry your skin out and make it look dull, with the right toner though it will make your skin look plump and healthy. When it comes to sensitive skin, you understand the importance of being careful with the ingredients in your skincare products because a lot of the artificially added ingredients can cause you to become irritated and the acids can make your skin very red. If you are using the right toner though, you will notice that your skin is moisturized, not flaky, and less red and all the while being soothed. When choosing a toner you for dry skin you want to remember to stay away from salicylic acid and alcohol that is added into toners. If you have sensitive skin then you want to focus on choosing a toner that has some kind of calming affect like chamomile and aloe vera but also taking ingredients into consideration like staying away from harsh acids and alcohol. 
• Dry Skin Toner: NARS Multi-Action Hydrating Toner ($38). This is an awesome toner because it has a non drying formula that keeps your skin parched all day and it also acts as a primer for your makeup. 
• Sensitive Skin: LUSH Breath of Fresh Air (100ml for $9.95). This is an awesome option because not only does it come in an easy spray bottle (which I love) but it also has aloe vera in it which can help to lock in the moisture of your skin, the seaweed extract in this toner also helps soothe your skin and make your skin very smooth. 

Combination Skin:

• If your skin is more oily on the forehead and chin but you tend to have more dryness on your cheek area then you have normal skin (combination skin). With this skin type you need to make sure that you are using the perfect toner for your skin because if you use one that is to harsh you will dry out your skin (which will cause breakouts and you to become more oily). You want to focus on finding toners that are more detoxifying, hydrating, and create a smooth skin surface. One main ingredient that is awesome for your skin is rose, whether you use it in rose water or a rose toner your skin will love this because it is not an overall hydrating ingredient but it is also not an acid so you don’t need to worry about your oily production. Rose is just a detoxifying ingredient that will help to reveal healthy glowing skin. 
• Combination Skin: Odacité Divine Rose & Neroli Balancing Toner Mist ($45). This a super easy and great toner. When you spray it onto your face you get this immediate refreshing feeling, the rose water within it is also super soothing so your face will look less red and more smooth. 
• Combination Skin: Crawford Street Skin Care Rose Geranium Toner ($15). A more affordable option is a Canadian product which helps to balance the surface of your skin through rose water. Your skin will appear less oily and glowing. 

 

XOXO