To Tone or Not To Tone?

It seems not many humans know whether their skincare routine needs a toner or not. 

To tone or not to tone doesn’t need to be controversial: putting it simply a toner is an effective way of getting certain ingredients into the skin. There are 3 main types of toners: exfoliating, hydrating and astringent (oil controlling). The first two options are a quick and easy opportunity to get your chemical exfoliants, humectants, antioxidants or fermented ingredients onto and into the skin straight after cleansing. 

The third type of lipid-stripping toner is an ‘old school’ apparatus that has no place in a modern skincare lineup. 

The key to a successful toning step is knowing which product to use and when to use it. We would recommend exfoliating toners in the evening as they can make your skin more sensitive to UV. These toners will include mild percentages of acids for frequent use - look for mandelic, lactic, glycolic or salicylic acids. A hydrating toner will include water loving humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, green tea extract and urea. This type of toner can be used twice daily after cleansing and before your serums. If your skin is dehydrated then take advantage of a mist format and do a light spritz in between each layer of your skincare routine - this will effectively create a ‘moisture sandwich’ on your face and will inevitably lead to plump, glowy skin! 

We like a hydrating mist every morning and a pH correct exfoliating solution two to three times a week, depending on other actives in your evening skincare routine.  

A toner is not an essential part of a skincare routine but from your skin’s perspective: would you want to miss out on an opportunity to deliver more hydration into the skin? 

How do you tone?