A facial toner is usually step three in your skin care regimen after washing and cleansing to remove dirt and makeup residue. Toners are sometimes known as tonics or lotions. Essentially, they work to remove surface skin cells, soap residue and oil from the skin to help it appear clearer and brighter. They get rid of impurities that lead to blemishes and breakouts.
Major Benefits
Toner refines and tightens your pores, leaving you with a brighter complexion and improved skin tone, which in turn reduces the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It also speeds up your cell turnover, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and restores your skin's natural pH balance. Toning your skin also improves the elimination of toxins, reduces oil secretion and increases blood secretion.
Ingredients
Toners usually contain lots of water and some alcohol. They also often contain ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, hydroxyl acid, witch hazel and benzoyl peroxide. The alcohol dries out the pimples to clear them up faster, but if the amount of alcohol is too much then it can provoke the production of more oils, which leads to more pimples.
Modern Formulations
Producers of toners are becoming more and more creative, promising more benefits. New and sophisticated solutions offer soothing and anti-aging benefits, and even whitening agents. These toners will usually contain an exfoliating chemical or lotion that will dissolve the dead skin surface cells, making you look ever more radiant.
How to use
Wash your face and hands with warm water. Apply cleanser to your face in a circular motion, covering your forehead, chin, nose, cheeks and neck, then rinse. Next comes the toner. Saturate a cotton pad and pat the toner over your whole face. Apply moisturizer next as your skin may be feeling a little dry. Always use toner on your skin before applying makeup to prepare the different contours and characteristics of your face to receive the layer of makeup you're about to put on it.
Tips of the Trade
Avoid the eye area. If your face shows signs of redness, itchiness, burning or peeling, check the ingredients of your toner and speak to a dermatologist. You may want to look for a toner more suitable to sensitive skin types, such as one that contains rosewater, or look for ways to make your own from all natural ingredients. You shouldn't ever run your skin when applying toner, as it can irritate.
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