Is Toner Necessary?

A woman cleaning her face with toner and a cotton pad

Is toner an essential part of a beauty routine? If so, then why not all beauty companies offer these products? How should you choose a toner? What are the different kinds of toners?

Today we will answer these and some other questions to help you understand what exactly is a toner and whether you really need to include it in your daily beauty routine. First of all, you need to understand that the perception of toners is mostly clouded by heaps of misinformation about these products spread both online and in beauty magazines.

It’s hard to decide whether you should buy a toner today because some people, who are considered beauty experts, advise against this. However, if toners were really dangerous, they wouldn’t be produced at all, right?

To answer this question, you will need to understand how toners work and how to use them. This type of product is not the same as a cleanser, but it should be used immediately after one as the main purpose of a toner is to restore the pH balance distorted by using cleansing products. Note that toner becomes essential if you prefer bar cleansers as it helps counteract the negative effects of the chemicals that keep the product in bar form.

If you use safe water-soluble cleansers, the pH imbalance won’t be a problem for you. However, in this case, you can use a toner that will provide your skin with an extra dose of useful ingredients, like antioxidants, fatty acids, etc. You can’t have too much of these elements, so an additional layer of such “goodness” will definitely help make your skin healthier and more beautiful.

Different Types of Toners

Understanding differences between the types of toners available on the market will help you choose the one that is right for you. There are many different formulas used in the beauty industry today, but the three main types of toners are:

  • Water and glycerin or glycol-based.
    These toners usually contain fragrant extracts. Therefore, they are effective for freshening your skin. In the vast majority of cases, these products are nothing more than an eau de cologne safe to use on your face. They can be a great help during the summer heat.
    However, “safe” is a relative term in this case as fragrances can be potentially dangerous for your skin. Check out this post to learn more about the effects of fragrances used in cosmetic products.
  • Alcohol-based.
    The dangers of alcohol for skin are too numerous to count. If you love your skin and want it to remain healthy and smooth for many years to come, you should never use alcohol-based products of any kind. Ever.
  • Water-based.
    This is the ONLY safe kind of toners available today. If you want to reap the benefits offered by this product, this is the kind you need to look for. Toners like this can help repair microscopic damage on your skin, stimulate the production of collagen, and offer a few specialized benefits, depending on their ingredients.

What If I Don’t Use a Toner?

In essence, not using a toner at all is much better than using one that contains potentially harmful ingredients. However, skipping a well-formulated toner means that you are losing on the benefits it can provide. Take your time to find a safe water-based product that offers something good for your skin and you’ll be able to make your beauty routine more efficient.

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