TONERS: Secret to Great Skin?

Hi beauty lovers,

 

If you are like me, you usually skip the toner part of a beauty regimen. Well that was until I learned about how to properly incorporate toners to my regimen.

You see, back in the day, Toners were used to restore the skin’s pH balance after using (mostly detergent based) facial cleansers.

Over the years, Toners have varied in the purposes including removing extra dirt and oil from a poorly cleansed face.

As a skincare therapist, I can’t emphasize enough how toners help in whatever skincare regimen you’re on. If you still adamantly feel like toners are useless, chances are you’re using the wrong type for your skin condition.

The key to incorporating the right Toner to boost your skincare regimen is to pick one with an active ingredient that addresses your skin need.

 

• Very Oily Skin/Acne prone: Choose a toner with 2.0% Salicylic Acid. Salicylic acid is an oily loving acid, it penetrates through the oil to deeply cleanse pores.
• Rough/Acne prone skin: Choose a toner with Glycolic Acid. Glycolic acid is an exfoliate that exfoliates the skin’s top layer. Glycolic Acid toners work best with a Salicylic acid cleanser to address acne issues.
• Normal Skin: A glycolic acid based toner will give you a nice glow, but a witch hazel based toner helps cleanse skin
• Damaged, sensitive skin: Antioxidant based toner. These toners help repair and balance skin’s pH.

 

MY REGIMEN

My skin is highly acne prone with poor texture. I do get oily occasionaly (mostly T-zone) but not enough to consider it a problem. Over the years I’ve tried a myriad of toners and astringents and after my years of experience, I’ve concluded that these 3 toners are my favourites and here’s why.

 

Glycolic Acid based Toners:

Since my skin issues are poor texture and acne, I find glycolic acid based products very effective at treating my skincare issues. Glycolic acid provides effective daily exfoliation. Cult favourite, Pixi Glow Tonic and La Roche Posay’s Effaclar clarifying solution contain glycolic acid, an AHA that exfoliates the skin as well has helps retexturize the skin. Pixi’s glow tonic contains 5% glycolic acid in addition to soothing ingredients like aloe vera and ginseng. Glycolic acid can be very irritating, but this formula is very mild yet effective which is why it is a fan favourite. Continous use will leave skin with a nice glow, while preparing skin for whatever treatment and moisturizer you are to use afterwards.

 

La Roche Posay’s effaclar contains 2% glycolic acid, in addition to 0.5% salicylic acid, making it a powerful combination to fight acne.

 

Tip: If I am too lazy to clean my face in the morning, I use either of this toner and splash my face with water and I’m good to go!

 

Antixoxidant based toners

My all time favourite toner is Dermalogica’s Multi-active toner. I use this daily. The unique thing about this toner is that it is a spray toner, so you don’t need a cotton pad, I simply spritz on my face and apply moisturizer.

 

Dermalogica’s mulit-active toner hydrates and refreshes the skin and balances the skin’s pH. I find that this toner is great if you have sunburn, or skin sensitivity.

 

Tip: You can use this toner after a long flight to refresh the skin.

 

SHARE WITH US! What toners do you swear by?