The Best Way to Use Face Toner

Toner is one of the most misunderstood skincare products.

People think they don't need it because they already have a strong cleanser, or they worry that toner might irritate their sensitive skin.

But when used correctly, toner can become one of the most important steps in your routine.

Toner helps to:

• remove any lingering impurities after cleansing
• restore your skin's natural pH balance
• prepare your skin to absorb other products
• soothe and refresh skin
• protect against environmental stressors
• minimize appearance of pores

We'll break down the best ways to use toner to boost its benefits for your skin concerns.

What Does Facial Toner Do?

Facial toner is a lightweight, water based skincare product made to be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

It removes residual dirt, oil, or makeup that may be left behind after cleansing, along with the other benefits listed previously.

It's easy to get them mixed up, but toners and astringents are not the same.

While both are liquid skincare products applied to the face, astringents contain high levels of alcohol and are used for oily or acne-prone skin.

Toners are often gentler, alcohol-free, and made to suit a variety of skin types.

When to Use Toner in Your Routine

Toner should be used right after cleansing, while your skin is still damp. It is better absorbed into the skin this way.

Here's the ideal order for applying skincare products, toner included:

1. Cleanser: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities.
2. Toner: Apply toner to rebalance and prepare the skin.
3. Serums: Follow with targeted treatments like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, etc.
4. Moisturizer: Lock in hydration and strengthen the skin barrier.
5. Sunscreen (AM only): Finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin from UV damage.

Three Ways to Apply Toner

There's different ways to apply toner. Choosing the right one depends on your skin type, toner formulation, and personal preference.

• Cotton Pad Method: Soak a cotton pad with toner and gently swipe it over your face, neck, and chest in upward motions. Helps physically lift away debris and encourages better circulation. Use multiple pads if needed. Works well with exfoliating toners.
• Hands-Patted Method: Pour a few drops of toner into your claim palms, rub your hands together, and gently pat the toner into your skin. Works well with hydrating or essence type toners. More eco-friendly and product-conserving.
• Mist Method: Place the toner into a spray bottle and mist it directly onto your face and neck. Works well for dry or sensitive skin that does not like friction. Great for on the go.

Using Toner at Night

Your skin repairs itself at night, so using a toner before bed is a smart way to support this process.

As it gets rid of residual dirt on your skin, it primes your skin as a good base for your nighttime treatments.

Prepping the skin this way allows deeper penetration of hydrating products and active ingredients like serums and night creams.

Should You Use Toner Daily?

Generally, the answer is yes, but it will still depend on the personal condition of your skin.

Some people find that they are too sensitive to use toner daily, but this is only a small minority.

It's best to slowly incorporate a toner into your routine, starting with once a week and then every other day, before making a full-send commitment to every day.

If you have normal to oily skin, toner should be usable daily, every morning and night.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, toner is best used just once a day, typically at night.

If you're using a toner with potent actives or astringent properties, slow incorporation is recommended regardless of skin type.

In the long run, the ingredients and formulations of toners matter more than how and when they are applied.

How to Choose the Right Toner

Different skin types and concerns call for different formulations.

• For oily/acne-prone skin: Look for exfoliating or pore-refining toners with ingredients like salicylic acid or witch hazel to help control oil and breakouts.
• For dry/sensitive skin: Look for hydrating and soothing toners with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or aloe vera which gently restore moisture.
• For combination skin: Look for balancing toners with niacinamide that can address oiliness and dryness at once.
• For mature skin: Look for toners with anti-aging ingredients like peptides, antioxidants, or collagen-boosters that can improve texture, firmness, and radiance.

Choosing a good toner based on its ingredients boosts your chances of treating your skin faster.

Common Mistakes

The process of toner seems pretty straightforward, but there's still mistakes that can be made.

One of the most common is using alcohol-heavy toners on sensitive skin. These strip away natural oils and exacerbate dryness, redness, or breakouts.

Some just skip toner altogether. If you live somewhere with extreme dry or hot weather, pollution, or hot water, this is a skincare step that you need.

Don't forget about the neck and upper chest area either, as these can age quickly, and toner can help to offset that.

And the last yet most common mistake is applying toner on bone dry skin. For the best absorption, you'll want to apply it on skin that is still slightly damp after cleansing.

This locks in moisture and lets your skin absorb both the toner and some water.

Toner is an incredibly underrated skincare step, but when used the right way, it can give you a boost your skin needs.

Regardless of what formula you use and how you use it, the most important thing is to be consistent with it to see good results in the long run.

If you do everything right, in time you'll start to notice happier skin.

There's lots of skincare options out there, and it can feel overwhelming if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.

While we have you, why not give our acne and detox toners a look? They might be just what you need.