For many, using a facial toner is a bit of a mystery. You might have heard people talk about it, but you’re not entirely sure what it does for you. Or perhaps you think you’ve used a toner before, but you’re not really sure. Or maybe you’re not sure why you should even bother.
Well, we promise that by the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be a serious expert on facial toner—and most likely, a convert. In this article, we’ll talk about what a facial toner is, how to choose the best toner for your skin, how to use toner, and when to use toner; and we’ll answer your questions about facial toner.
IN A NUTSHELL
Main Takeaways: Facial toners are generally water-based liquids that act as a sort of booster to your cleansing step. They help prep your skin for moisturizing or make-up application.
Good to Know: Many toners contain alcohol, which can be drying for your skin; so it’s best to look for toners that don’t contain alcohol.
Recommended Products: Rose and Shine Rose Water Toner.
Why is Toner So Confusing?
Part of the reason you might be confused about toner is that it gets thrown in with or sold under a lot of names—tonic, oil, facial mist, solution, facial spray, facial treatment…the list goes on and on and on. Some of these may be true toners, while others may not be. It just depends on what the product does.
In the not-so-distant past, toner was frequently—in fact, almost always—referred to as astringent. Although it’s still on the market, astringent is a bit of an old school term and product. Old school because it was and still usually is loaded to the gills with alcohol. Meant primarily to help balance out excess oil in (usually) teen-age skin, astringent also usually has a percentage of salicylic acid in it. While these may work wonders for some people, for those of us past our oily teenage years, they might be a little too harsh.
Today’s toners are much more gentle and actually perform more functions than astringents, so fear not! There is a toner out there that’s perfect for you!
What is Toner and What Does Toner Do for Your Skin?
Toners are generally water-based liquids that act as a sort of booster to your cleansing step, helping to prep your skin for moisturizing or make-up application.
If you are wondering where to start, we recommend an alcohol-free rose water toner that will work for all skin types. Our Rose and Shine rose water toner contains only a handful of ingredients, including rose hydrosol to soothe and glycerin to hydrate your skin. A spritz or two will refresh and balance your skin.
Today’s toners are seriously multi-taskers. Here are some of the things a toner will do for your skin:
- Toners exfoliate – Many toners promote skin turnover through exfoliation, which really helps unclog pores and smooth the texture of your skin.
- Toners temporarily tighten pores – A good toner will help temporarily tighten pores and minimize the appearance of large pores.
- Toners brighten skin – Because toners help slough off all that old, dead skin, they can help brighten skin’s appearance.
- Toners hydrate – One of the main reasons people use toners today is to hydrate their skin.
- Toners balance the skin – They can also restore balance to your skin after cleansing, preparing it for the rest of your skincare routine.
How to Pick the Best Face Toner
Choosing the best toner for your skin depends on what type of skin you have, and what you want the toner to do for you.
Toners for Normal Skin
Normal skin benefits from a refreshing, hydrating toner. Spritz on a little Rose and Shine rosewater toner morning and evening after cleansing to prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. Look for a toner that isn’t full of extra, unnecessary ingredients. Rosewater and glycerin are an amazing toner combination, allowing the glycerin to draw water to the surface of your skin, while rosewater soothes and balances.
Toners for Oily Skin
Those with oily skin should look for a toner that will help slough off the buildup of dead skin cells, as well as help balance your skin’s natural oils. Try a toner with a glycolic acid. Glycolic acid helps to gently remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin and prevents clogged pores. It’ll also help keep those breakouts at bay.
Toners for Dry Skin
Luckily for you, one of the things toners do best is hydrate! Look for a toner with glycerin. We are partial to using a rosewater toner for dry skin, which will soothe and hydrate your skin. And wow, does it smell heavenly!
When Do I Use Toner?
When used as part of a daily skincare routine, toner should always be applied directly after you’ve cleansed your skin with a natural face wash, and before you’ve moisturized it with a hydrating moisturizer. If you use a serum or eye cream, the toner should come before that, too.
How Do I Use Toner?
Of all the beauty products in the world, few could be easier to use than toner. Here’s how to use toner as part of your skincare routine:
- If you’re using a spray bottle, simply spritz it on your face and neck.
- Another option is to soak a clean cotton pad with some toner and wipe your face with it—gently—in an upward direction.
- If you prefer, you can also spray a little toner on your hands and pat it into your skin. Just make sure your hands are super clean when you do.
- You can also put some toner on a cotton pad and press it into your skin to make sure the toner is being fully absorbed by your skin. Be sure to get the areas that have fine, dry lines so they have a little extra hydration.
- Whatever method you’ve used, let your toner dry before putting on the next product like a serum or a moisturizer.
Different Kinds of Toners
Although toner historically came only in bottles, today it comes in many forms. Below, we outline the different types of toners and how to use them. All the instructions below are for use on clean skin.
Bottle – The best method for using toner that comes in a bottle is to put it on a clean cotton pad and gently apply it to the skin in upward strokes, repeating with clean pads until there is no more dirt.
Spray – Spray toner is used pretty much as you would guess—just spritz onto the face and neck, avoiding the eyes. If you want a little more control, you can spray the toner on a clean cotton pad and go over your skin until the pad is clean.
Pro tip: A spray toner kept in the fridge feels really refreshing in the summer! This can also prolong the life of your toner, if it includes botanical ingredients or essential oils.
Roll-on – This reduces the use of disposable cotton pads, as you can simply roll the toner on clean skin, and you’re good to go.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Use Face Toner
What does toner do?
Toners help cleanse the skin of dirt and oil your cleanser didn’t quite pick up. They also hydrate and brighten the skin and temporarily tighten pores. Depending on which toner you're using, they can also exfoliate the skin, prepping it for make-up, sunscreen and other products. Toners can also feel incredibly refreshing, especially in hot or dry weather.
Do I need a toner?
Yes! Toner may seem like one of those steps you can skip, but in fact, absolutely everyone will benefit from using a toner, regardless of skin type.
How often should I use a toner?
You should definitely be using a toner at least twice a day as part of your regular skincare routine, but there are lots of other ways to use it.
Just be sure to consider what your toner is doing for your skin. If you’re using facial toner to combat oiliness, you want to make sure you don't overuse it, causing your skin to dry out.
Should I use a toner every day?
Not only can you use a toner every day, you should use a toner every day.
Do I use toner before or after my moisturizer?
Definitely before! A good toner preps your skin for other products, so your moisturizer can really work its magic.
Do I use a toner before or after a mask?
Both, actually! Use it before to help remove any dead skin from your face, and after to prep your skin for any product you are following up with. You may need to moisturize after your mask (depending on what kind of mask you are using), and toner can help add and/or lock in that moisture.
We hope that takes the mystery out of using a facial toner for you. Once you’ve got the right toner for your skin, you may wonder how you ever lived without it.
