Let’s talk about toners. Are they really beneficial, or are they just one extra step to add to your skincare routine?
Well, here’s the thing- toners take pore cleansing to the next level. They can get deep into your pores to dissolve skin yuck in a way that your cleanser simply can’t. They can also tighten your pores so that they’re less susceptible to getting clogged with dirt and oil in the first place. Also, by tightening your pores, they make you look instantly fresh and rejuvenated, so believe me when I say you want the benefits of a toner.
Nonetheless, I recommend that you be careful when choosing your toner, as many contain harsh ingredients like alcohol that will do you more harm than good, so how then do you really find the perfect toner for your skin type? Read on to find out.
For Problem Skin
Choose an alcohol-free toner that can gently exfoliate your skin and can turn over your skin cells quickly. Getting rid of dead skin cells leads to clearer skin, at the end of the day. Look for glycolic acid, AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs in the products you buy, as they unclog pores, reduce oil, improve texture, and boost overall radiance.
We recommend Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner. The triple punch of naturally derived AHA, BHA, and PHA acids will help gently exfoliate as witch hazel and papaya extracts work to turn over your skin cells quickly.
For Sensitive Skin
Again, it’s absolutely imperative that you stay away from alcohol-based products, especially when you have sensitive skin. It’s too drying and harsh. But know that even some plant based ingredients and botanicals may be too harsh for you. For most sensitive skin types, choose a toner that contains some sort of humectant so that you know you won’t be over drying your skin.
We recommend Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore Tight Toner. It contains watermelon extract, which hydrates and soothes skin, as well as cactus water to seal in moisture.
For Dry Skin
Similarly to sensitive skin types, you want to choose something that can help lock in moisture as opposed to stripping your skin. If you can find a product with a ceramide, like hyaluronic acid, it will shield you from environmental skin pollutants while protecting you from dryness.
We recommend Fresh Rose + Hyaluronic Acid Deep Hydration Toner. This rosy toner will clear your skin of impurities without ever stripping it.
For Normal or Combination Skin
This skin type has a bit more flexibility when choosing a toner, so think about what your skin needs right now. Maybe you’re feeling the need for more hydration (look for humectants and ceramides), or you need a little help sloughing off dead skin cells in a gentle way (look for glycolic acids and AHAs).
However, if you’re looking for a good product to cover all your bases no matter what, we recommend Dermatologica Multi-Active Toner. It contains refreshing ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber extract, and vitamin C, and it comes in a spray bottle for easy application.
