WHAT DOES A FACE TONER DO AND HOW SHOULD YOU USE IT?

Published: January 10, 2023

In the age of social media, you can’t really go a day without seeing a celebrity or influencer selling the latest skincare product or routine. It can make it hard to tell what products really are beneficial and which ones aren’t necessary. We all know that washing your face and moisturizing are both essential, but what about all that other stuff?

Toner is often thought of as one of those skincare products that may or may not be needed. Believe it or not, facial toner is actually hugely beneficial to most people, regardless of skin type or skin tone. Understanding your skin type and how certain products work can help you pinpoint the best skincare routine for you. If you ask us, toner is an essential part of anyone's skincare routine, it's all about finding the right type of toner that works for your skin type.

Below, we’re sharing more about toner including a full explanation of what it is, how it works, and what types of toner will work best for each skin type.

"Keep in mind that following the activity and intensity of a peel, the best thing for the skin is soothing and protective nourishment. Use fragrance-free gentle cleansers, pat your skin dry with the softest face towel you have, and moisturize day and night."

Monica Poli, Board Certified Esthetician

and [ comfort zone ] Master Educator

What Is a Toner?

When it comes to multi-step skincare routines, toner is almost always involved. This often raises the question: what even is toner?

In the past, toners were typically alcohol-based liquid that was used between face wash and moisturizer to help further clean and exfoliate the skin. Alcohol-based toners get a bad rap for causing the skin to dry out and being too harsh on the skin, so these days most toners are actually water-based. Toners have added ingredients, such as plant extracts and essential oils to help further nourish the skin.

Some people get toners mixed up with astringents. An astringent is a similar type of skincare product, but they are not the same thing as a toner. Astringents are also usually water-based like toners are, but they can be alcohol based as well. The purpose of an astringent is to help cleanse the skin, tighten pores and dry up oily residue. Toners, on the other hand, help to hydrate the skin and balance pH levels.

So, how do you know if you should use a toner or an astringent? Should you use both?

The thing is, the best products will vary from person to person, depending on your unique skin type. Astringents are more designed for acne-prone skin that is very oily, and astringents usually are a bit harsher on the skin – they may even contain strong ingredients like alcohol.

Toners are more versatile, working well for most skin types and containing gentler ingredients. There are many different types of toners, designed for all skin types. If you understand what type of skin you have and the different ingredients that are found in toners, it will help you determine what type of toner will work best for you.

What Does a Face Toner Do?

Toners serve an important purpose in any skincare routine.

Some reasons why people use toner include:

Further cleansing the skin to remove leftover makeup or dirt
Providing the skin with nutrients
Soothing the skin to reduce redness
Helping to improve absorption of other products (like moisturizer)
Balancing the pH of the skin

It is usually recommended that toner be applied twice per day. Most people wash their face first, then use a toner before moisturizing. However, it is important to keep in mind that toner can dry out the skin if used too frequently so you should pay attention to how your skin reacts to the toner you use and adjust your products or how often you use them as needed.

Using face wash helps to strip away any dirt or oil that is on the skin, but this process also causes the skin’s pH to become too acidic. Toner helps to bring the pH back to where it should be (an ideal skin pH is slightly acidic or around 5.5). It is important to use the right types of toners since the ingredients play a big role. Certain ingredients in toner help to balance out the pH of the skin to make up for the fact that most face cleansers are more acidic.

Benefits of Using a Facial Toner

Keeping the skin pH balanced is incredibly important but it is far from the only benefit of using a toner. Pretty much everyone can benefit from using a toner on their skin, as long as you find one that works well for your skin type.

Other benefits of using a toner include helping other products absorb better, providing additional hydration, preventing breakouts, soothing the skin, and tightening the skin.

It Promotes Better Absorption of Other Products

One benefit that is very specific to toners is the way that they help with product absorption. So, for example, if you just wash your face and then apply moisturizer, the moisturizer may not fully absorb. But if you use a toner after using face wash, your moisturizer will absorb better. This quality cannot be replicated by any other products and is unique to toner.

It Provides Additional Hydration

Cleansing your skin with face wash is essential but it can sometimes cause dryness. Even if you have oily skin, it is so important to keep your skin hydrated well–did you know that your skin may even get more oily if not properly moisturized? This is because dehydrated skin can overproduce natural oils to compensate. For this reason, the properties of a hydrating toner are super important in keeping the skin moisturized and healthy–even if your skin is naturally oily.

It Helps Prevent Breakouts

When oil builds up on the skin, it clogs pores and causes acne. Toner helps to clean out this build-up of oil to keep the skin cleansed and prevent breakouts. What’s great about toner is that it helps to clean the skin using gentle ingredients that won’t cause excessive dryness or redness.

It Has a Soothing Effect

Ingredients are everything when it comes to skincare products like toners. Toners that are made with a gentle blend of natural ingredients can help to soothe the skin to alleviate redness and discomfort. Make sure to choose a high-quality toner made with gentle ingredients such as witch hazel and plant extracts.

It Tightens Your Skin and Shrinks Your Pores

When pores get clogged with oil, they can get large and stretch out. When the pores are clean, they’re more readily able to tighten back up into place–toner helps to further facilitate this process. Keeping the pore size tight helps to prevent oily residue from building up in the pores.

Who Should Use a Toner?

Here’s the thing that’s awesome about toner, it can (and should) be used by everyone. That’s right, because toner is gentle, versatile, and comes in so many different forms, anyone can use it and benefit from it. It’s all just a matter of finding the best toner for your skin type.

Choosing the Right Toner for Your Skin Type

It’s true, there is a toner out there for everyone but it is important to be mindful of the ingredients. Below, we’re listing some effective ingredients to look for in a skin toner and some recommendations for toners based on skin type.

Rosewater

Rose water is made by steeping rose petals in water. This plant-based ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe the skin and reduce redness and puffiness.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a plant-derived ingredient that can help to tighten pores and reduce redness. It helps to cleanse the skin and prevent blackheads.

Aloe Vera

Aloe has been used on the skin for many years. This plant-derived ingredient can help to soothe skin irritation and reduce redness. It even has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Chamomile

Chamomile is extracted from a flower. This ingredient is soothing and anti-inflammatory for the skin. Chamomile is a gentle ingredient that is safe for sensitive skin and for anyone who has eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid breaks down oil to deeply exfoliate the pores. This ingredient helps to reduce excess oil and slough away dry and dead skin cells.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is actually naturally produced by the body but as you get older, your body will produce less and less, leading to dry skin. For this reason, using hyaluronic acid on your skin can effectively hydrate the skin.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs are a type of acid that works as a chemical exfoliant. This ingredient is helpful for acne-prone skin since it helps to remove dead skin that would normally clog pores.

Glycerin

Glycerin is considered a “humectant” which is just a fancy way of saying that it moisturizes the skin. When applied to the skin, glycerin works to imitate the skin’s natural moisture, making it versatile for all skin types.

Oily Skin

Toner is important for oily skin to help clean out the pores and prevent dead skin and oily build-up. The Active Pureness Toner by [ comfort zone ] is designed for oily skin. This exfoliating toner is delicate and alcohol-free, making it an ideal choice for oily skin since it can scrub out pores without being overly drying.

Dry Skin

Sometimes people with dry skin are weary about using toner since extra products can sometimes dry out the skin even more. Luckily, there are plenty of toners that are made with gentle ingredients and they can even help to moisturize the skin–something many people don’t even realize!

The Hydramemory Essence Toner is one great choice for dry skin. This toner contains 11 activators of hydration, helping other products to further absorb (when it’s used before moisturizing). Another great option for oily skin is the Remedy Spray Toner. This toner is safe for sensitive skin and it is super easy to spritz on your face throughout the day.

Combination Skin

Combination skin is both oily and dry at the same time. Toners are great for combination skin since they can help with exfoliation as well as moisturizing. The Essential Toner is ideal for combination skin. It contains glycerin to help moisturize and niacinamide which helps to restore your skin’s natural vitality.

Acne-Prone Skin

Acne-prone skin responds well to toner but it is important to use one that is gentle and made with the right ingredients to ensure that it doesn’t make your skin break out more. The Active Pureness Toner helps to exfoliate the skin to prevent breakouts and soothe the skin. This toner also helps to cleanse the pores and minimize their appearance.

How to Use Toner Correctly?

Toners should be used on the skin after cleansing and before you apply other products like moisturizer or sunscreen. You can apply toner using a cotton swab or your hands. Follow these steps to properly apply toner:

Cleanse your skin with your everyday face wash
Apply toner using a cotton swab or your hands
If you choose to use a cotton swab, soak a cotton swab in toner and brush it all over your face
If you’re using your hands, put a few drops of toner into your palm and gently apply it to your face
Spread the toner all over your face and down to the neck and chest, if you want to
Follow with moisturizer

It is recommended that toner be used one to two times per day or just each time you clean your skin. Using toner too often can dry out the skin so you don’t want to overdo it. It is usually okay to use toner every day but if your skin seems to be getting dried out, you may want to cut down on how often you're using it or try a different type.

The Right Toner Is Essential

There is more to healthy skin than just aesthetic appeal. Healthy skin represents overall wellness. Finding the best toner for your skincare routine can help you keep your skin clean and moisturized. Toner is more than just an extra skincare product–it is an essential step in any skincare routine. The key is to find the right toner that works for your skin type.

[ comfort zone ] has you covered with several different nourishing toners for every skin type, from dry to oily and beyond.