Toners are among the most underappreciated and poorly understood skin care products. This is due to the lack of a rigid definition that dermatologists accept. While some toners are technically alcohol-containing astringents that are designed to lower the amount of oil in the skin to prevent breakouts, others are made with chemicals like hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin. Then there are essences, which resemble toner in appearance and behaviour but belong to a completely distinct product category. Confused? We were as well.
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How To Use face Toner
If you’re using a liquid toner, which is the most common type, it’s best to soak a cotton ball in the solution before sweeping it over freshly cleaned skin. “Using a gentle sweeping motion, begin by applying to the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), then move on to the cheeks and jaw. You can exclude the lips and area around the eyes. Why? Toners work best on the T-zone because of their high oil production and noticeable pores. Lips and eyelids, on the other hand, are slightly more susceptible to irritation from a skin care regimen with too many steps.
Apply serums, primers, moisturizers, and sunscreen next after toning. “The toner creates a blank slate for the usage of other items.
Regarding combination skin:
If you have combination skin, you should seek a solution that incorporates hydrating ingredients in addition to gentle chemical exfoliants to regulate your T-zone without overdrying your skin. Contains sage and witch hazel to cleanse, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and aloe vera to soothe. Combination skin types should be aware that toners can be applied with a targeted technique. You can use toner only on your T-zone if your cheeks are dry and your forehead is greasy (or use a hydrating toner on your cheeks and a purifying toner on the T-zone).
For sensitive skin
A nourishing toner is an efficient approach to refresh the skin if you have sensitive skin or are currently dealing with sensitized skin as a result of employing too many active ingredients at once. To encourage a calm, strengthened skin barrier, you’ll want to avoid exfoliating acids and products with high concentrations of active chemicals and choose a composition that contains essential amino acids and hydrating building blocks. Additionally, sensitive skin types might discover that using a cotton round to apply toner is too harsh for their skin. Use this toner on your hands and gently press them into the skin if you notice excessive redness or irritation after using a cotton round.
For dry skin
There are several toner formulas designed with parched skin in mind, and PCA Skin’s Hydrating Toner is one of our favourite choices. However, some toners possess astringent properties that aren’t appropriate for dry skin types. This toner fights the drying effects of cleansing and prepares your skin for serum and moisturizer application by including fruit extracts rich in antioxidants and evening primrose oil.
For Oily Skin
It’s usual for people with oily skin types to reach for harsh, alcohol-containing toners to help combat oiliness, but alcohol can actually dry out your face, causing your skin to produce more oil in an effort to make up for the drying effect. As a result, seek out products that are alcohol-free and contain a combination of glycolic acid and probiotics to strengthen the skin barrier and enhance its capacity to control oil production on its own.
For matured skin
A toner with antioxidants and skin-fortifying components like peptides is ideal for those with older skin because they provide an additional layer of protection behind sunscreen. With this choice, you can get a simple spray applicator along with a dose of vitamin C, aloe vera, peptides, and castor oil. It should be noted that because this product contains vitamin C, it is best taken in the morning to benefit fully from its antioxidant properties (and shouldn’t be used with any products that contain benzoyl peroxide).
Normal skin
Look for toners with protective chemicals like coenzyme Q10, a potent antioxidant, and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid for skin that isn’t prone to extreme dryness or oiliness. Try spritzing this on while your skin is still damp after cleansing to lock in moisture if your skin is more on the normal-to-dry side.
For skin prone to acne
A toner from La Roche Posay that has a 0.5 per cent salicylic acid and a 2 per cent glycolic acid complex is the best choice for anyone who wishes to stop breakouts, remove blackheads, and enhance the texture of their skin. You can use this product morning or night because these ingredients work well with vitamin C, however using this toner in the same routine as another acne treatment increases your risk of experiencing sensitivity.
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