What is Toner and How Should You Use It?
What is Toner and why should we use it?
Toner is skin product that comes in a form of lotion or tonic whose purpose is to clean your skin and shrink enlarged pores. It is mostly used for cleaning sensitive skin on person’s face. It is usually applied with the help of a cotton pad, but some toners can be sprayed onto your face or applied in a form of facial mask. Toner should be included into regular skin care regime in order to have a healthy and protected skin, especially face.
Types of Toners
Skin bracers or fresheners – are also known as “traditional toners”. They contain water, humectant e.g. glycerin and are usually not consisted of alcohol. Some traditional toners can have up to 10% of alcohol, not more. Humectants moisturize the skin and prevent water in outer layers from evaporating. This type of toner is gentle and kindest to your face. Great example of this type of toner is rosewater.
Skin tonics – unlike skin bracers or fresheners, they do contain alcohol (about 20%). Other ingredients of tonic include water and humectants. An example of skin tonic is orange flower water.
Astringents – are the strongest type of toner, and they contain a bigger amount of alcohol, between 20% and 60%. Other ingredients of astringents include water, humectants, and antiseptic ingredients. Their purpose is to cool off the skin and tighten the pores. Witch hazel is a great example of astringent.
Toners for Different Skin Types
Like always, in order to get the best out of some product you should use the one that is recommended for your own skin type. Every type of the skin requires suitable treatment, and using wrong products can cause irritations. Information about what toner you should use for your skin type is listed below:
Oily skin – if you have oily skin or you’re prone to blemishes, then you should avoid toners that contain a high amount of alcohol. Alcohol will irritate the skin, increase the growth of blemishes, and as the result your skin can produce even more oil. For this type of skin, tonics should be used. They contain low percentage of alcohol, but also they are consisted of humectants which will nourish your skin. Even though they contain alcohol, astringents can be used as well, but in order to prevent production of excess oil you should apply this product ONLY to affected areas (spots, or T-zone).
Dry and sensitive skin – if you have dry skin you have to be careful about toners you choose. Choosing wrong toner can dry out the skin. And people with sensitive skin risk irritations if purchase toners with high alcohol percentage. The best solution for these skin types is skin bracers or fresheners. They do not contain alcohol, but at the same time they will clean and soothe your skin. The level of humectants in these toners is high which means the water from the outer layers of the skin will not evaporate, and your skin will stay protected and moisturized.
Combination skin – is tricky. It is usually indicated by oily T-zone and dry or normal cheeks. You should use toners that contain low percentage of alcohol in order to normalize the skin on your face. Skin tonics are good for combination skin, they do not contain too much alcohol, but they’re stronger than traditional toners and softer than an astringent; which makes tonics perfect for combination skin.
Normal skin – is not prone to any skin condition, damages, or irritations. However, in order to keep it that way you have to take care of properly. Right toners for this type of skin are skin tonics and skin bracers or fresheners.
Difference Between Toners (Facial, Hair, And Skin Toner)
There are different types of toners (as seen above), but there are also different purposes of toners. For example:
What’s the difference between astringent and toner?
Astringent is a type of toner and their difference is in formula. Toners contain little or no alcohol at all; their formula is water-based. On the other hand, astringents contain up to 60% of alcohol. Their structure is stronger and they should be used only for oily skin or blemishes. Even then it is necessary to apply it onto the certain areas, like T-zone or spots in order to prevent it from drying out or irritating other parts of your skin.
Is it necessary to use different toner during summer and winter time?
It depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin at all times, then you should stick to traditional toners, however if you have any other type of skin and it gets dry during winter then you should switch from tonics to traditional toners. It is recommended to use toner all year long. They offer great protection during summer, and treat your skin during winter when cold temperatures dry out the skin.
Conclusion
Toners are versatile products that do everything from cleaning to nourishing our skin and should be included in skin care regime by choosing the right product bearing in mind type of the skin.