Likely, you’ve come across them at your nearby drugstore – the sleek bottles holding clear or lightly tinted liquid. But for many who incorporate the best toner for sensitive skin into their skincare routine, the purpose of this peculiar substance isn’t entirely clear. We love routines, but we love discussing the best drugstore toner and what it does for your face even more.
Toners get a bad rap and for good reason. The toners from the past were harsh, drying, and stripped your skin of its natural oils. But times have changed, and toners have too. Nowadays, they’re designed to be more gentle on your skin.
So what’s the deal with toners? In fact, modern toners have come a long way from their old reputation. They now provide your skin with a dose of hydration and essential nutrients. Moreover, some toners even have targeted formulas that address specific skin concerns like acne or sun damage. So, don’t let the bad reputation of old-fashioned toners stop you from giving modern toners a try.
Defining Toners
Toner comes after cleansing and before moisturizing. It evens out your skin’s pH levels, which affects the acid mantle – a layer on your skin. This layer is naturally acidic with a pH of 4-5.5.
However, using harsh cleansers messes with this pH and makes it alkaline. That’s where you need the best toner for ph balance, it neutralizes your skin’s pH to help it stay balanced.
Why You Should Consider One
- A Deeper Cleanse
Get a deeper cleanse with toner. After double cleansing, use the best drugstore toner for a secondary cleanse. It will eliminate any remaining makeup that your cleanser may have missed. Also, toners are effective in eliminating excess oil and dirt that accumulated on your skin throughout the day or night.
- Boost Your Skincare Routine
Toners are your secret weapon for better absorption of products. When your skin is dehydrated, other ingredients won’t be as effective. But with a hydrating toner, the ingredients will penetrate deeper.
- Want Balanced Skin? Get A Toner!
Your skin has a natural acidity level of around 4.7, but some soaps and cleansers throw it off balance. This leads to problems like dryness, oiliness, and irritation. Luckily, the best drugstore toner will help quickly restore your skin’s pH levels and bring it back to its natural state.
- A Balanced Complexion
Toners do more than just cleansing. They help nourish your skin with essential nutrients that cleansers may strip away. This results in a balanced and smooth complexion, with the potential to help in reducing redness. However, it’s important to use a high-quality toner.
How To Use A Face Toner?
First, grab a cotton pad and put a few drops of toner on it. Swipe it all over your face and neck. Or, if you prefer, you may put a few drops directly on your hands and pat it on your face.
Let it dry and then follow up with a serum or moisturizer for maximum benefits.
Remember to use toner right after cleansing, when your skin is still damp, in both your morning and evening routines. This allows for better ingredient penetration.
If you find your skin feeling too dry, limit toner use to once per day.
Choosing The Best toner For Your Skin
Let’s break down the three main types of toners available today:
- Alcohol-based toners
- Glycerin or glycol-based toners
- Water-based toners
To minimize the chance of irritation, go for a fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and witch hazel-free water-based toner. And if you’re looking for the best skin toner for black skin, look for toners beneficial for hyperpigmentation properties. Being particular to the best toner for black skin, choose rose water.
Choosing The Best Toner For Combination Skin
Choosing the best toner for combination skin is a tricky balance to strike. You’ll want the best drugstore toner that has the ability to remove excess oil without drying out your skin. To achieve this, opt for a toner that contains vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, hyaluronic acid, or glycerin.
When shopping for other skin care products, focus on nourishing antioxidants and gentle acids such as hyaluronic, salicylic, and lactic acid.
Choosing The Best Toner For Dry Skin
Dry skin needs a toner that provides hydration to the skin, and that’s where humectants come in. Humectants are like magnets that attract water molecules to the skin. Avoid harsh ingredients like alcohol that will further dry out the skin.
Instead, opt for soothing and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and glycerin. Some great ingredients for dry skin include witch hazel, aloe vera, grapefruit seed extract, cucumber, and vitamin E. Witch hazel is the key ingredient to look for in the best skin toner for black skin.
Choosing The Best Toner For Sensitive Skin or Acne Prone Skin
If you’re dealing with pesky pimples or acne, you’ll need a gentle toner that won’t cause more irritation. Avoid alcohol-based ones at all costs!
Instead, opt for the best drugstore toner acne with lightweight formula with alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that will help remove dead skin and unclog pores.
Salicylic acid is a good choice in the best drugstore toner acne, but it is a harsh choice if you’re looking for the best toner for sensitive skin. Look for calming components like aloe vera and cucumbers if you have sensitive skin. This will also act as the best toner for black skin with sensitivity.
Choosing The Best Toner For Oily Skin
If you’re looking to combat excess oil, try a mattifying toner with salicylic and glycolic acid for exfoliation. To reduce the appearance of pores, look for a toner with niacinamide which is also good if you’re looking for toner for combination skin. If you have oily skin, consider using toners with sandalwood, willow bark, lavender, clary sage, or tea tree.
Choosing The Best Toner For Aging Skin
When dealing with sun damage or signs of aging, antioxidants are crucial. Vitamin C and E help shield your skin from environmental damage and reverse some of that damage, leaving you with a smoother, more even complexion.
If you’re in your 30s or 40s, look for a toner with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid provides essential hydration, while glycolic acid stimulates collagen production and exfoliates the skin.
How Do You Know Your Skin Toner Is Working?
When you start using toner, you will feel its benefits right away, with your skin feeling refreshed and clean. But after using it daily for 1 to 2 weeks, your skin will start feeling softer and smoother, with a clearer and brighter appearance.
If you have sensitive skin, a toner with skin-soothing ingredients will reduce redness over time. For oily skin, toners will help shrink pore size by removing excess oil and impurities. And if you have dry skin, toners with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid will provide hydration and plumpness.
Difference Between Toner Vs Astringent
Let’s break it down: toners vs. astringents. The main difference is that astringents have alcohol while toners may or may not have alcohol. Toners are usually milder and alcohol-free.
Astringents, on the other hand, will dry out your skin if used too much and are not ideal for those with sensitive skin. Astringents are often used for skin cuts, insect bites, and fungal infections. Examples of astringents include calamine solution, silver nitrate, witch hazel, and distilled vinegar.
Takeaway
In conclusion, while our advanced skin care solutions toners are a great addition to your skincare routine, it’s crucial to use them properly to avoid any adverse effects.
By selecting a toner that’s suitable for your skin type, like choosing the best toner for sensitive skin, and contains ingredients that work in harmony with your skin, you will enjoy the benefits of a toner without any irritation or dryness.