You’ll undoubtedly have heard of the mantra cleanse, tone, moisturise, when it comes to building an effective skincare routine, however, while many people know the importance of face cleansing and moisturising, the second step, toning, often falls by the wayside.
So, we’ve quizzed celebrity facialist and skincare expert, Michaella Bolder, to answer all your questions surrounding face toner. Get ready for some expert advice on everything from the benefits of using a face toner to how to find the best one for your skin type.
What’s the benefit of using a face toner?
“Facial toners can be a great asset to your daily skin routine, they carry a thin water base that enables the texture to effectively penetrate the skin's surface tissue,” says Michaella, “They are an easy and effective way to infuse the skin with active ingredients to balance the pH, increase hydration, reduce congestion and brighten.”
How do you add a face toner to your skincare routine?
“Choose the right solution to suit your skin concern and slot it in after you have cleansed the skin thoroughly in your morning and evening routine. Toners are a great addition to your routine to add an extra boost of active ingredients without fuss or downtime, they are also an ideal base to apply ahead of your face serum to improve the absorption of your serums.”
How do you apply a face toner?
“Apply your toner directly using your hands and pat onto the skin, or, use reusable pads to sweep the toner around your face and neck. Use your toner in the morning and evening unless you have an exfoliating toner, you may only want to apply once a day or even 3 times a week.”
What’s the best face toner for my skin type?
To find the best face toner for your skin type, look for ingredients that target your specific skin concerns. While we’d recommend allowing a toner 4-6 weeks to get to work, if you want to treat multiple skin concerns, you can also try skin cycling, where you rotate products on a weekly basis for a targeted treatment. Michaella advises these ingredients to get the best out of your toning routine:
Best ingredients for oily/breakout-prone skin: BHA, Salicylic Acid or Vitamin B3
Best ingredients for dry skin: Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, Vitamin E, Aloe vera or flower essence
Best ingredients for dull skin: AHA, Vitamin C, Witch Hazel or Vitamin A
Best ingredients for sensitive skin: Rosewater, Cucumber, Aloe Vera or Hyaluronic Acid
So, before you skip using your toner, think again as it can be a beneficial part of your skincare routine. Remember, skincare won’t transform your skin overnight, so be prepared to put a product to the test for 4-6 weeks to reap the benefits. However, over time toner can help treat your skin concerns, calm breakouts and boost radiance through exfoliation to leave you with your best skin ever.