If you have acne or oil problems, getting the best facial toner instead of piling on makeup can save you a world of trouble. Unfortunately, many people assume that these products only suit people with oily skin. However, you can find many formulations designed to cleanse and even out your complexion and add much-needed active ingredients to your skin.
Nevertheless, finding the right product for your face can be challenging since most of us cannot afford to get it wrong. To ease your mind, we have recommendations to help make the selection process simple and a buying guide to steer you towards making the right decision for your skin type. But first, let us define a face toner and look at the benefits you miss out on when you do not add it to your skin-care routine.
What Is a Face Toner?
A face toner is a water-based skin-care product designed to hydrate the skin and remove dead skin cells efficiently. In addition, it helps to get your skin ready for makeup or moisturizer application by maintaining its natural pH levels along with removing impurities. Thus, your skin can better absorb any products you want to apply to it.
Additionally, face toners will clean out your pores then close them to ensure dirt cannot enter. However, products that contain alcohol can interfere with your skin's natural oil secretion. Eventually, your skin will dry out, become irritated and unbalanced.
What Does a Skin Toner Do for Your Face?
If you prefer the appearance of smaller pores, face toners will help to clean, smoothen and polish the skin by removing excess oil, dirt and other impurities from the surface. Consequently, applying the product allows you to get a brighter look and confidence to go without makeup.
Moreover, toners will close your pores and tighten gaps between your cells to rejuvenate your skin and make it firmer and tighter. Hence, your skin can remain clean while impurities and other environmental stressors will not damage it.
A skin toner acts as a humectant which is effective at binding moisture to the surface. Formulations that include rose water are natural hydrators. These additions can improve the water absorption properties of a moisturizer.
Maintaining the right pH balance of the skin is critical to ensuring its health. Since your skin is naturally acidic, a face toner restores the natural order quickly, especially after taking a bath and altering the acid-alkaline levels with soap. Plus, products that contain alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic acid can reduce ingrown hairs.
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Best Facial Toner
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Best Facial Toner - Reviews
The Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Face Toner with Aloe Vera Formula is famous for helping to soothe and even out the skin tone. The proprietary blend leaves you feeling refreshed as it promotes the health and hydration of your skin. Plus, you can rely on its humectant qualities to help your skin retain moisture.
This skin toner cleans your pores and limits excess oil production. The aloe extracts will make you feel nourished, while the glycerin will create a moisture barrier to help your skin keep water. Also, the product has a soft rose scent.
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The Neutrogena Oil-and Alcohol-Free Skin Toner can help purify, clean, and refresh your skin without drying it out. In addition, the non-comedogenic product does not clog your pores as it works hard to remove impurities from your skin gently. Thus, you will not have to contend with irritation as you will not lose moisture in the process.
Whether you want to prep or treat your skin, this product is designed to help recondition the surface without you feeling a stinging sensation. Also, it contains sunscreen to create a barrier against harmful UV rays.
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The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution offers gentle exfoliation to improve skin texture and clarity. In addition, you can rely on the product to remove dead skin cells and give your dull skin radiance. So, if you want an affordable way of dealing with uneven skin tone, you should put this clarifying toner on the top of your list.
Since this product contains alpha hydroxy acid, you will need to protect your skin from the sun after applying it. Furthermore, you should not use it if you have compromised or sensitive skin. Plus, the exfoliating ingredients must not be excessively used as they can damage your skin.
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If you want to address your skin concerns but do not know your skin type, the Mario Badescu Witch Hazel and Rose Water Toner will cater to your needs. This product will not strip skin of its natural oils as it improves skin texture and removes impurities from the surface.
The witch hazel clarifies the skin and gives the appearance of smaller pores. On the other hand, the rose extract will rejuvenate the skin through its antioxidant properties. Finally, the combination of aloe vera and rose water gives this hydrating toner soothing and moisturizing properties.
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The Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Skin Toner should be the first weapon in your arsenal before you begin your skin-care routine. The product contains niacinamide that gives you smaller pores while ensuring an even skin tone. Also, the chamomile and burdock root extract will help to soothe sensitive skin while offering antioxidant perks.
The hydrating ingredients of this soothing toner, like ceramides and hyaluronic acid, ensure you have balanced skin while promoting the skin barrier to help you retain moisture. If you have an acne-prone or oily skin type, this product will be a welcome addition to your face wash routine.
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How Do You Use a Face Toner?
Always apply a skin toner after you have washed your face and before applying other skincare products. Face toners come first because they help remove dead cells, further cleanse the skin and balance its pH. So, begin with an appropriate cleanser and avoid harsh soaps that contain ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate. Plus, you should ensure you use warm water and pat your skin when drying it afterward.
Depending on your product of choice, you can use a cotton pad or a cotton ball to apply the skin toner. First, saturate the pad or ball with the product, then apply it to your neck and face. Alternatively, you can spray a mist on your face if you are using a spraying face toner.
How Can I Find the Best Facial Toner?
Finding the right toner for your specific skin can be challenging, especially when you do not know your skin type. Plus, it helps to consider the active ingredients and the various benefits they bring to the table. After all, selecting between the best toners hinges on how you will react to them.
a). Consider the Ingredients
1. Salicylic Acid
Beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid are essential ingredients in toners. These elements dissolve excess oil from the surface. Thus, they are ideal for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
2. Lactic Acid
Lactic acids work on improving the skin's texture while providing gentle chemical exfoliation. These ingredients can balance skin tone by tackling discoloration, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and age spots.
3. Niacinamide
If you are frequently in the sun or want protection against toxins, pollution and other environmental stresses, niacinamide will help. Also, the ingredient soothes inflammation for people with severe acne. Finally, continued use will ease your breakouts and smoothen your skin's texture.
4. Hyaluronic Acids
A skin toner with this ingredient has rejuvenating properties thanks to its moisture-binding qualities. Moreover, these acids will help with tightening your skin as it removes wrinkles. Consequently, you will have smoother and brighter skin.
b). Consider Your Skin Type
1. Normal Skin and Combination Skin
People with normal or combination skin have plenty of leeways to choose the best toners. They do not have to bother with knowing the active agents in the products as long as they do not contain alcohol. However, they need to focus on finding a hydrating toner to ensure their skin looks soft and replenished.
2. Sensitive Skin
A toner with soothing botanicals can calm irritated skin. For instance, aloe vera and some algae provide relaxing perks to people with sensitive skin and help remove toxins. Plus, these skin types should look for a gentle formula as harsh chemicals will have adverse effects.
3. Dry Skin
People with dry skin should focus on finding a hydrating toner that improves moisture absorption and retention. Additionally, you may not be able to take up nutrients and minerals if you are constantly dry. Thus, look for amino acids, antioxidants, or fermented yeast in the formulations.
4. Acne-Prone Skin
Those with acne-prone skin types suffer from excessive production of natural oils. The best toners for this case should help with reducing excess sebum production through ingredients like salicylic acid. Try to find exfoliating products that will unclog your pores, offer antibacterial qualities and remove dead skin cells from the surface.
5. Oily Skin
Oily skin types are the furthest thing from dull skin since they always appear shiny. If you belong to this category, look for an alcohol-free toner that will help keep your skin clean and clear by removing impurities and dead cells from the surface. Ingredients like glycolic acid in the product are suitable for those with oily skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Face Toners
1. What is the best facial toner?
The best facial toner is the Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Skin Toner. The product features a gentle formulation designed to cleanse, moisturize, tone and balance your skin's pH. In addition, it has antioxidant properties and will soothe your skin while reducing the size of your pores and controlling acne.
2. Can I use a toner instead of a moisturizer for oily skin?
Some toners act as humectants and can moisturize oily skin types. Still, there is no harm in adding another layer of protection by using a moisturizer. Nevertheless, it would be best if you stuck to products that are designed for your skin type. After all, hydrating is a significant part of maintaining healthy skin.
3. Is alcohol in face toners bad?
Alcohol in skincare products makes them lightweight while preserving the formulations and allowing them to penetrate the skin more effectively. Plus, when in humble quantities, you will not feel any adverse effects. However, people with dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin should avoid alcohol as it will dry out their skin.
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