5 Reasons to include face toner in your skincare routine

Is a face toner missing from your skincare regime? If you have never used one before, here are 5 reasons why a face toner is important for glowing skin.

Face toner is a runny, watery skincare product that was traditionally used to remove excess oil from the skin – specifically for those who have acne. These toners were often full of alcohol and were quite drying on the skin. Now, a toner is usually a lot gentler and contains soothing, anti aging and hydrating ingredients. A face toner helps remove the last bits of grime and impurities from the skin after cleansing, while also nourishing and replenishing the skin. Aside from hydrating and cleansing toners, there are also tanning toners that you can use to actively improve the appearance of your complexion. Here are top 5 reasons why toners should be a part of your every day routine. 

1. Removes excess makeup and grime

After cleansing, there can often be residual makeup and grime that is not entirely removed during the process. Use a face toner after cleansing by applying a small amount to a cotton pad and gently wiping over the face in circular motions. Any excess dirt or make up will be effectively removed, reducing the potential for breakouts due to clogged pores. When choosing the right toner for purifying the skin, you’ll need to be mindful of those with alcohol. Toner with alcohol content can dry out the skin even more, which in turn may contribute to oily skin. The best formula for a purifying toner is liquid that you use on a cotton pad rather than a mist.

2. Balances the skin pH

When you cleanse your face, you are removing any remaining traces of dirt and impurities. This helps to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing. As part of the cleansing process, oils in the skin are also removed. A toner helps to balance the skin's natural pH levels, which can be disrupted by harsh cleansers or products that contain alcohol.

This helps to maintain blemish free skin, as the skin does not need to overproduce oil to try and compensate for the changes in pH. Sassy Organics' favourite toner for balancing the skin is the Every Bit Organic Rose Water. Rose water controls and balances sebum production, which makes it perfect for both dry and oily skin. It can also balance and restore the skin's pH while helping tighten the pores.

3. Tightens pores

When washing the face, the idea is to use warm water and a natural cleanser to open and clean out the pores. After this step, using a toner helps to close the pores, which not only improves the skin's appearance but also stops the moisturiser from clogging pores. As mentioned, organic rose water can be great for regulating the pores. Organic rose water can be used on toner pads to gently cleanse the skin and help maintain your pores’ heath.

A face toner can also help to treat acne and blemishes. It does this by removing bacteria from the skin, which reduces inflammation and helps to reduce the appearance of blemishes. This is because some face toners contain ingredients that are antibacterial and astringent, such as witch hazel or tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic). 

The toner with witch hazel is the perfect solution for your acne prone skin. It will help to reduce inflammation and redness, while also helping to tighten pores and reduce oily skin.

4. Provides deeper hydration post moisturising

Toner is a great way to hydrate and nourish your skin. It provides hydration by replenishing the essential nutrients that have been lost from cleansing, while also helping to keep your skin looking supple and smooth.

Rather than applying moisturiser onto dry skin after cleansing, applying after using a toner allows the moisturiser to penetrate the skin more effectively. Moist skin helps the cream absorb rather than simply sitting on the surface. The bonus is that you will generally need less moisturiser when applied after toning versus on dry skin, making what can sometimes be an expensive item last much longer.

Some toners also contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid that are able to hold up to 1000 times their weight in water! This means that even though it's not technically considered an active ingredient because it doesn't do anything directly related with preventing wrinkles; it still has an important role in keeping you looking fresh faced all day long!
 

5. Refreshes & rejuvenates

Another benefit of toner is that it can be used at any time to refresh and hydrate. During the summer months, spritzing the face with a face mist toner throughout the day can be cooling and refreshing, while during winter months, a hydrating face mist can help to restore and balance skin that is feeling dry and tight from indoor heating. A face mist is a great way to take care of your skin throughout the day – protecting it from the extremities and hydrating it.

Toner is a great way to rejuvenate tired looking skin, revitalise dull skin, and help keep your complexion looking youthful and vibrant.

Rose water vs toner

There's a lot of confusion about toner and rose water - what they are, what they do, and how they work. We're here to clear things up!

Rose water is made from distilling rose petals in water. It can be used as a facial toner or skin cleanser because its rich flavour helps boost hydration in your skin. It also has antibacterial properties that can help fight acne and other skin conditions.

Toner is an astringent liquid that helps reduce oiliness by tightening pores and removing impurities on the surface of your skin. It helps prepare your skin for moisturiser or makeup application by ensuring that your pores aren't clogged with dirt or makeup residue.

If you are wondering whether you can use rose water as a toner - the answer is yes! Rose water is a great alternative to toner, as it contains antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties. It also helps to soothe and hydrate skin. If you're looking for an all natural option, rose water is the way to go!

Rose water toner is a great addition to your skincare routine because it contains anti aging properties and helps to reduce wrinkles. It also provides hydration to the skin, which can help improve its texture and appearance.

Best toner for dry skin

Dry skin is not fun. It's flaky, itchy, and it feels like you've been rolling around in sand. But dry skin can be so easily managed with the right products. Toners are a great way to hydrate your skin and prepare it for moisture. We recommend using a toner every morning and evening after cleansing your face. The best time is directly after washing your face because this will give you an extra boost of hydration before applying a moisturiser.

Choosing an alcohol free formula is a good place to start, as alcohol tends to dry out the skin even more. The best toner for dry skin is one with natural ingredients such as aloe vera and organic rose water as these help hydrate and nourish dry skin. We reckon the La Mav rose water spray is the best toner for dry skin as it’s full of superfoods and vitamin C.

Best toner for oily skin

If you have oily skin, a toner is an essential part of your skincare routine. Toner helps to remove excess oil from the skin and keep pores clear. This can be especially helpful if you have been experiencing breakouts or feel like your face is looking too shiny throughout the day.

The best toner for oily skin may contain willow bark, an excellent natural anti microbial that can help to prevent bacteria build up and breakouts. Witch hazel is another ingredient that may be used in toner for oily skin as it helps to close the pores, assisting at keeping impurities at bay. 

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that contains tannins, which help to reduce inflammation and redness. Witch hazel can also help to shrink the appearance of pores, as it's rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids that tighten skin cells by inhibiting their ability to release sebum (the oily substance secreted by your sebaceous glands).

The best toner for oily skin is one that is not too drying and stringent. Toners that contain alcohol can cause more breakouts by drying the skin and disrupting your skin’s natural oils.

Best toner for sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, toner is a great way to soothe and calm your skin. Toner helps remove any leftover makeup or dirt from your face and leaves it feeling refreshed. It also contains natural ingredients that help soothe inflammation, redness and irritation.

Acure toner for sensitive skin is made with natural ingredients like rose water, aloe vera, watermelon, eyebright and chamomile, which are known for their soothing properties. This means that they will help calm down any redness or irritation caused by other products or exposure to sunlight or pollutants in the air around us every day.

Also, Papaya Care Skin Aid Spray is a calming blend of papaya, calendula & licorice root extract to relieve discomfort, soothe inflammation & nourish the skin making it a great toner for sensitive skin.

Is face toner necessary?

No. You don’t have to use a face toner to clean your face properly. Removing makeup and cleansing with a cleanser twice a day is sufficient to keep your skin clean. However, a face toner can level up your skincare routine as it can help prevent things like clogged pores and acne by really purifying the skin.

Toner is a liquid that acts as a middle man between your cleanser and moisturiser, helping to remove any residue left on your skin by the cleanser and prepare your pores for the moisturiser.

A toner is also great for priming the skin for serums and moisturisers that come next – helping them work more efficiently to produce better results.

Alcohol based toners can dry out your skin, so they are not great for dry skin! If you have oily or acne prone skin, however, an alcohol based toner may be just what you need: they can help reduce oiliness while also helping to kill bacteria that cause breakouts.

Can I use face toner every day?

Yes! You can use a toner after you cleanse every day, but this depends on your skin type. If you have sensitive or dry skin, we recommend adding a toner every second day and building up towards daily use. If you have congested or acne prone skin, we suggest adding a toner to your morning and night routine. You can work up towards using a toner twice a day if you feel your skin responds well to it. You might also like to use a toning mist after you apply makeup and throughout the day to keep your skin clean and hydrated.

If you want to take your skin to the next level, try adding Eco Tan face water to your weekly routine. This face water is an organic liquid tanning solution that slowly tans the skin on your face and neck. Eco Tan water works like a regular toner and has a similar consistency. You can apply face tan water every couple of days to match your face to your body or to even your complexion and reduce the need for foundation and makeup.

Final thoughts

If you're looking to improve the quality of your skin, a good place to start is with a face toner. They can do everything from prevent acne, remove oil and dirt, and moisturise your skin, which will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth. It is important to select the toner for your skin type and needs, to optimise its benefits.

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