Toner ranked No. 1 on Oprah's "O" magazine list of beauty products you can live without, but people who have acne may still consider using toner as part of their skin care regimen. Acne breakouts occur when your pores get clogged with oil or other residue, and toner may reduce the risk of clogged pores for some people.
Identification
Toner is a mild to more intense astringent that is applied to the skin to remove debris and residue that regular cleansers might miss. Toner is typically included as the second step of a basic three-step oily skin care routine, used after cleanser and before moisturizer. People who have acne-prone skin might use toner with low concentrations of over-the-counter acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
History
Toners originally served an important role in all skin care regiments, as they were created to remove soapy residue left by early skin cleansers, says Leslie Baumann, dermatologist, in "O" magazine. For people with acne, toners were especially important, because soap residue left on the skin could clog hair follicles and cause breakouts.
Significance
According to "Marie Claire" magazine, toner helps remove such residue leftover from tap water as minerals, salts and chlorines that can clog pores and leave skin looking dull. Using a toner before your moisturizer can also help seal in your moisturizer, improving your skin's hydration, according to "Marie Claire."
Benefits
Many skin care products used to treat acne--like those containing retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid--can irritate and dehydrate skin, causing redness and peeling. But because intensive moisturizers can increase your skin's oiliness and clog pores, moisturizing acne-prone skin can be tricky. Renee Rouleau, a Dallas-based aesthetician, says in "Marie Claire" magazine that using a toner can make a lighter-weight moisturizer more effective.
Considerations
Be sure to avoid alcohol-based toners, which can make dry skin problems even worse, warns facialist Amanda Lacey on iVillage.com. Lacey says using a too-harsh toner to wipe away oiliness can have the opposite effect, drying out your skin so your oil glands actually increase production, meaning you end up with more breakouts and blemishes. Lacey recommends opting for gentle toners, ones made with rosewater are particularly good, she says.
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