Well there are a few reasons to add toner to your skincare ritual. Yes we said ritual. While a routine is an action that has to get done, a ritual is something you do with more meaning attached to it! So from now on think of your skincare as a ritual, something you do with purpose and intention that brings with it a feeling of joy!
Okay, now back to the reasons why you should include toner in your skincare ritual. First of all let's talk about what toner is exactly.
Toners are generally made up of waters that are applied to skin after cleansing. In the past, most cleansers were very alkaline, and toners were used to balance the skin's ph. Usually toners contained alcohol, and over the years we have learned that this just dried out skin and did more damage than good.
So don't use toner then? Not exactly ...
Definitely a toner will balance the skin's ph if you are using an alkaline cleanser. Most cleansers these days have a balanced ph already, to support the skin's protective barrier, so toner isn't needed for that reason, but good toners have other benefits than balancing ph.
First of all, make sure you are using a toner made with skin-loving ingredients like floral waters, aloe vera and alcohol free witch hazel water. These ingredients are perfect after cleansing to hydrate and refresh skin while providing antioxidant benefits.
Then find the right toner for your skin type. There are different ingredients in toners that address specific skincare needs.
If you have sensitive or mature skin for example, look for Rose or Chamomile water as an ingredient. Paired with aloe vera, they work together to soothe and calm sensitive/mature skin, while providing antioxidants that offer anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
Oily skin will benefit from a toner with botanical extracts like Willow Bark, which is a natural source of salicylic acid, or with aha's, that control sebum production and provide exfoliation properties.
Toners made with floral waters such as Lavender, Neroli and Sandalwood are great options as well. They contain antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and are a great choice for normal/combination skin.
If you suffer from dry skin look for toners with glycerin or Ha serum, which are humectants and will draw moisture into the skin, along with aloe vera juice and floral waters.
Although it has been said that toners shrink pores, that is simply not true. Our pores are genetically determined and do not change in size. However, using toner to remove any residue left behind after cleansing, thus deep cleaning pores of any debris, allows skin to tighten and minimizes the appearance of pores.
Toner is not for everyone; some people feel they just don't need the extra hydration, the active ingredients or the soothing effect that toners provide. Maybe they get all of these things from other skincare products with similar properties. There are so many products out there. But sometimes it gets confusing: which products are best for you, when is the right time to use them, what products shouldn't be used together etc.
This is why we feel you should say yes to toner; a simple way to provide skin with that extra boost of beneficial skin-loving ingredients. Toner is a natural second step in your skincare ritual. Apply it with a (reusable) cotton pad, or mist it on and let it soak in, or pat it into skin, whatever way you enjoy most!
One more reason we feel toner is necessary is; your serums and moisturizers will absorb better into skin prepped with toner. So give your skin another mist of toner and follow with your serum and/or moisturizer while skin is damp. We have a couple of different toners to choose from here.
We didn't even discuss the aromatic benefits of toners made with lovely, gently scented, floral waters. Just another added benefit to bring joy to your skincare ritual.
Let us know what you think about toners! Do you say yes or no? In the end it truly is a personal choice. We would love to hear your thoughts.
Stay wild!