What Does Face Toner Do, and Do You Really Need to Use One?

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The lineup of products in our skincare routine seems to be growing by the day. However, it's safe to say that in the ever-evolving world of beauty where innovative product launches are popping up left and right, toner is always a part of the conversation. While some strike it from their arsenal, others swear by its skin-balancing effects. Post-application leaves skin feeling hydrated and clean, but the question remains: what does toner actually do?

We asked several skin experts to weigh in on the importance of this water-based solution, how it's uses have changed over time, and whether or not you should add it to your routine. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about skin toner.

What Is Face Toner?

Toners are a thin, water-like formula meant to be used in-between your face wash and other skincare steps to "prime" the skin for skincare. Previously, toners were used to remove excess oil from the face, but modern toners serve a variety of purposes. "Traditionally, toners were used to remove excess oil from the skin and were especially useful for people who had acne," says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner. "Those products contain high concentrations of alcohol and, therefore, were drying. Today's toners contain a variety of soothing, brightening, and anti-aging ingredients."

New York-based cosmetic dermatologist Sejal Shah agrees, adding that the new formulations of toners are completely different from their traditional counterparts. "Traditionally, a toner's function was to completely cleanse the skin, and often they were formulated to be very astringent to remove any traces of oil and debris," she explains. "While the newer generation of toners may still remove traces of debris, they're really meant to nourish and replenish the skin after cleansing and act as a primer for the rest of your skincare products."

What Are the Benefits of Face Toner?

We often hear that toners help balance the pH of the skin post-cleansing, but it turns out that that's not the only potential benefit.

  • Removes Impurities: "Toner removes oil and traces of dirt, bacteria, and makeup," says board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman. "It also removes the dust, pollution, and impurities that can still be lingering after washing with a cleanser."
  • Replenishes the Skin: Modern toners are often used to nourish the skin with moisturizing, brightening, or exfoliating ingredients after cleansing. The function depends on the toner—and today, all toners have different functions.

Do You Need to Use a Face Toner?

Toner is not necessary in a skincare routine—in fact, most people achieve the benefits of a toner through skincare products/steps they already have in their routine. If you're using an exfoliating toner, the same results can be achieved with a retinoid or exfoliating serum with glycolic acid. If you're using a hydrating toner, you could achieve the same benefits with a hyaluronic acid serum. And if you're using a brightening toner, you can usually get the same results from a vitamin C serum.

If you prefer to use toner, that's totally fine; almost anyone can use a basic, gentle, hydrating or moisturizing toner in addition to their normal routine. You can also use a toner that's specific to your skin concerns as opposed to a targeted serum. Where you can run into issues is if your toner contains active ingredients that are already in other products you use, which can lead to irritation.

Is Face Toner Suitable for All Skin Types?

It depends on your skin type and the type of toner used. As with any new skincare product, you'll want to be mindful when adding toner to your morning and/or evening beauty routine. "Ensure that the toner is not overly drying or irritating your skin," says Shah. Also, when it comes to sensitive areas of the face (think: near the eyes or creases of nose), be wary of not overdoing it. And according to Covert, always, always watch out for alcohol on the ingredient label. "Be sure to use a toner that is appropriate for your skin type and stay away from alcohol in toners since they tend to dry out skin," she says.

That said, modern toners are often gentler and more adaptable to your skin's individual needs. Tammy Yaiser, vice president of product development at Algenist gives us the lowdown on the shift in ingredients. "Many toners of today skip the alcohol and combine advanced anti-aging ingredients with gentle, natural ingredients and botanicals that purify and balance the skin, provide hydration, treat, and soothe all at once," she explains.

Byrdie Tip

For oily skin, opt for a toner that offers antibacterial and exfoliating properties meant to help absorb excess oil, remove dead skin cells, and prevent future breakouts.

How Do You Apply Toner?

According to Yaiser, toner is best used as your first step after cleansing, as she says it helps rid the skin of any residual impurities and leaves the skin refreshed and perfectly prepped for your subsequent skincare routine. Any creams, serums, or treatments applied post-toning might penetrate deeper and reap its full potential.

Toner is best applied by saturating a cotton round (ideally a reusable cotton round) with the formula and gently blotting the skin. Many toners are also available in spray form, which can help minimize waste (bonus points) and make for convenient, easy application.

How Often Should You Use Face Toner?

You shouldn't be afraid to make toner a permanent part of your routine, but it may take some trial and error. Shah explains, "The time and consistency of how often you use toner really depend on your skin type, skin concerns, and ingredients in the toner." She recommends using toners with active ingredients 2-3 times per week until you work up a tolerance to daily use. On the other hand, she says that "hydrating, calming, and soothing toners can generally be used twice a day."

Toner vs. Essence

You may be wondering what the difference is between toner and essence. Simply put, a toner is used more for cleansing and hydrating the skin and protecting it from pollutants, whereas essence is for accelerating skin cell turnover, leaving behind smoother, firmer skin. Essence can also be used as a primer, which helps to enhance the effects of beauty products you apply afterward (oils, serums, moisturizers).

According to Shah the inclusion of real rose petals and hyaluronic acid makes this a "soothing toner with both hydrating and toning ingredients" that addresses skin concerns such as dryness, dullness, and uneven texture.

"This is a very mild toner and good for sensitive skin," says Jaliman of this well-loved, non-drying cucumber-based option. It also counts allantoin among its herbal ingredients, which is helpful to smooth skin and reduce irritation.

This is Covert's favorite for its ability to "exfoliate, purify, and regulate excess sebum all while speeding up the natural exfoliating process and regenerating the epidermis. Skin is balanced and hydrated after use with a visibly smoother and even skin tone," she raves.

Loved for its dead skin-sloughing properties, Shah says that this salicylic acid-based toner is great for acne-prone skin.

For dry skin, Jaliman recommends this toner by Lancôme, which is chock-full of ultra-hydrating ingredients like glycerin and honey.

According to Zeichner, this is a great pick for oily-to-sensitive skin types, as it can help get rid of excess oil on the skin and offer balance to greasy complexions. We dig the low price point, too.

Shah says this power-packed toner is a gentle toner that contains both hydrating and soothing ingredients and astringent ingredients that have anti-aging and brightening properties. The result? Instantly refreshed skin.

Zeichner recommends this massively popular essence because of the "active ingredient, pitera," which is meant to help revive your overall complexion for a even, radiant look 

Zeichner approves this toner for its nutrient-rich formula that contains antioxidants and hyaluronic acid—both of which are touted in the beauty world as supercharged hydrators and brighteners.

The Takeaway

The drying, alcohol-heavy formulas we typically associate with toners have been phased out in favor of nourishing formulas, and formulas with varying active ingredients. And while toners certainly aren't a necessary step in a skincare routine, almost anyone can add a gentle, hydrating toner to their routine if they prefer. With toners containing active ingredients like exfoliants and vitamin C, make sure you aren't also using other serums or products that contain these ingredients, as doubling-up can lead to irritation.

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