IS FACE TONER REALLY NECESSARY?

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Toner, the product that everyone seems to wonder about. It's is always missing, but helps to make a good skincare routine. Shrouded in mystery, many deem face toners to be useless. Is it essential? Or is it just another unnecessary item? Will your skin routine suffer from not using a face toner, or will it give your skin a boost? The one question that still remains is, “what does face toner do?”

WHAT IS FACE TONER?

​Toners are an integral part of any good skincare routine. Traditionally face toners were used to remove excess oil from the skin, and formulated to be very astringent. In the past skin toners worked well on people who had acne prone skin, and contained a high alcohol content.  

Fast forward to today...The world of face toners has evolved. Face toners do much more than remove excess oil and dirt from the skin. They are high functioning products that contain a variety of nourishing, calming, brightening, and anti-aging ingredients for the skin. Face toners  balance your skin’s pH levels, and act as a primer for the rest of your skincare products.
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FACE TONER?

The modern day face toner provides a myriad of benefits for the skin, depending on what your skin concern is. Skin toners can be hydrating, exfoliating, brightening, soothing or have anti-aging benefits.  


Here are some of the additional benefits of what a face toner does for your skin:  

• Removes traces of oil, dirt, bacteria, sunscreen and makeup. Toners also remove lingering traces of pollution and other impurities left after washing your face.
• Helps to balance the pH level of The skin. Our skin is naturally acidic, ranging from a pH level of 5 to 6. Products can sometimes throw our pH levels off balance especially when using soap, because of its alkaline nature. When this occurs, the skin goes into overdrive to restore normal pH levels which may result in excess sebum production. Using a toner will help to rectify this problem.  
• Reduces pore size by removing excess dirt and oil trapped on the skin’s surface.
• Adds a layer of protection. Toners work to close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, which reduces the penetration of impurities and toxic environmental contaminants into the skin.  
• Helps other skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin, therefore improving their efficacy.   

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IS FACE TONER SUITABLE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES?

Yes.  When choosing a face toner , you want to make sure it  addresses your skin concerns.  Please be careful when adding a toner to your morning and/ or evening routine.  Make sure that the toner does not irritate or dry out the skin, and don’t forget to read the ingredient list.  Alcohol can be incredibly drying, and can do more harm than good.  

Exfoliating toners containing AHAs can irritate the skin and cause PIH (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation). So beware of toners containing a high concentration of AHAs. I would advise using exfoliating toners sparingly (keeping them to night time use only), and remember always to wear sunscreen during the day.

There are many toners that are gentle on the skin, which were specifically formulated to balance the skin’s pH level, provide hydration, soothe the skin, and do not contain alcohol. Gentle toners are more suited to both morning and evening use. You’ll find that today’s toners may contain a cocktail of anti-aging, botanicals and natural ingredients.

In my opinion it’s always best to go with a gentler toner that will harmonize easily with your other skin products.  When choosing a leave-in product (toner, serum, cream, moisturizer), check the ingredient list to make sure that the main actives work well with the ingredients of the other products.  

If you have more than one skin concern, it might work best to choose two different toners (one for the morning and evening) or use them on different days according to your needs.  With Face toners that contain harsh ingredients like AHAs, it’s best to take it slow. Start by using a couple times a week, and progress to once daily (preferably at night).  

For those of you with oily or acne prone skin, choose a face toner that contains salicylic acid. This will help control excess sebum, exfoliate, and prevent future breakouts.   

HOW TO USE FACE TONER

Face Toner should be applied after your cleansing routine, when your skin is clean and thoroughly dry. Apply by saturating a cotton round with your preferred face toner of choice.  Use gentle sweeping motions across your face avoiding the eye area, making sure not to apply too much pressure. Repeat using a fresh cotton round until all traces of dirt and oil are removed. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE FACE TONER?

In general, the frequency of how often you use toner depends on your skin type, skin concerns, and the ingredients in the toner. Gentle, soothing and hydrating toners can be used twice daily as they aren’t harsh on the skin. If you are opting to use a harsher toner, I would advice integrating it slowly into your skincare regimen.  Starting with once a day, and building up to twice daily if needed.

THE BEST FACE TONERS

Check out the list of the best face toners curated by The Beauty Disruptor.

FRESH ROSE HYDRATION FACIAL TONER

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A face toner suitable for all skin types. It is gentle enough for daily use.  This toner is both soothing and hydrating. It contains rose petals known for its soothing virtues, rose oil, rose petals and hyaluronic acid which adds a deep hydration element.  

FRESH ROSE FLORAL TONER

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Since antiquity rose water has been known for its calming effects on the skin. This alcohol-free mist is very gentle and can be used on all skin types. This moisturising mist can be used to set make up or refresh skin when needed.

GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON GLOW TONER

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A Cult Beauty favourite, this alcohol free toner contains PHA and willow bark ( a natural form of BHA).  This toner helps to decongest and reduce pore size.  Other key ingredients such as watermelon extract help to nourish your skin with vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids for a more radiant complexion.

CAUDALIE VINOPURE PURIFYING TONER

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French Cult brand Caudalie's toner works well on oily and acne prone skin.  This toner is enriched with natural salicylic acid, niacinamide, and organic essential oils.  Great for removing excess oil and dirt on the skin. With continued use this product helps to control oil production and reduce pore size.  This toner is an excellent choice for oily, combination oily, and acne prone skin types. 

CAUDALIE BEAUTY ELIXIR

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This famous toning mist is used by makeup artists and celebrities as a priming mist, and setting spray. Made of 100% natural ingredients. It works to smooth fine lines, tighten pores, and give the skin that radiant glow. 

COSRX PUREFIT CICA TONER

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This toner was formulated to repair damage, strengthen the skin barrier, and provide relief to sensitive irritated skin. It is suited for all skin types, especially very sensitive skin.  And gentle enough for everyday use.   

INNISFREE GREEN TEA SEED TONER

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An intensely hydrating toner that's packed with antioxidants.  It contains Jeju Green Tea Extract and Green Tea Seed Oil, which both work to soften and protect the skin barrier.

I'M FROM RICE TONER

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Infused with 77.8% Rice Extract, this rice toner effectively brightens the complexion as well as hydrates. It forms a protective barrier over the skin to prevent water loss, rebalance the skin, and help increase collagen production.    

FENTY SKIN FAT WATER

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By far one of the best products in the Fenty Skin range, this toner serum is light enough for any skin type. It contains the power ingredient niacinamide which reduces oil production, tightens pores, improves texture and brightens the skin.  For those with sensitive skin or a sensitivity to fragrances beware as this product is heavily scented.  

SK-II FACIAL TREATMENT CLEAR LOTION

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A popular face toner amongst celebrities, SK-II works to tighten pores, exfoliate the skin, and remove impurities. It hydrates the skin, improves the skin's appearance, and evens out skin tone.   

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