How to Choose the Best Toner for Your Skin Type
Not sure how to find the best toner for your skin type? Read on and discover how!
A skin toner—used after cleansing and before moisturizer—cleans, refreshes, smoothens, controls oil, and moisturizes the skin. Moreover, today's advanced toner formulas deliver active ingredients to the skin directly and provide tons of skin benefits.
Whatever your skin concern, whether it is sensitive and in need of soothing benefits, acne-prone and in need of oil removal, or dry and thirsty for moisture, the right toner will treat it accordingly. But how do you figure out which toner formula is right for you? Read this blog and learn all about choosing the right toner for skin type.
Identifying Your Skin Type
Trying to figure out your skin type? Let us help.
Identifying your skin type is an important part of your skincare routine. The majority of people already know what type of skin they have. However, for those who don't know, we have an accurate and quick way to find out. And once you know your skin type, you’ll understand what toner to use for your skin type.
- With a gentle cleanser and face wash, wash your face first.
- Let it dry without applying any product.
- Once you've left it bare for about 30 minutes, you can start your skin test. Is your skin tight, especially when you smile or make facial expressions? Is your T-zone looking shiny?
Dry Skin: It's most likely that you have dry skin if your skin feels tight or parched when you smile.
Normal Skin: The skin on your nose and forehead will shine slightly if you have normal skin.
Oily Skin: You might have oily skin if you have a lot of shine on your forehead, nose, and cheeks.
Combination Skin: People with combination skin get oily skin around the T Zone.
Sensitive Skin: Your skin may be itchy or red in tone if it is sensitive.
Acne-prone: As the name suggests, if your skin often breaks out, it is acne-prone.
How to Choose Skin Toner Based on Skin Type
The best toner is one suited to your skin type. Because alcohol strips the skin of natural oils, dermatologists recommend alcohol-free toner for all skin types.
1. Combination skin:If your skin has trouble making a decision (one spot is oily, another is dry), it can be quite frustrating. Toners that combat excess oil while providing high levels of hydration are ideal for combination skin.
For balancing your skin tone and soothing your entire face, look for a toner that contains calming ingredients like aloe vera, lavender, and clary sage.
2. Oily skin:
Using the right toner can exfoliate your skin and tighten pores if your skin produces too much oil.
Try toners that include tea tree oil, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), with low salicylic acid concentrations.
3. Normal skin:
Normal skin doesn't often cause problems, so we won't hold it against you if you gloat—or glow.
Simply use a natural rosewater toner to keep your skin in perfect harmony.
4. Dry skin:
A moisturizing facial toner without alcohol or astringents is best for dry and mature skin types. Hyaluronic acid, cucumber extract, vitamin E, and glycerin are among the ingredients that can help hydrate dry skin.
Additionally, glycolic acid toners can help hydrate and exfoliate at the same time.
5. Sensitive skin:
If you have a sensitive skin type, look for botanical ingredients that calm the skin, such as aloe vera gel, cucumber, chamomile, and lavender.
Toners without alcohol are especially harmful to sensitive skin.
6. Acne-prone skin:Those prone to breakouts may benefit from oil-free toners containing salicylic acid. Additionally, your dermatologist may recommend using a medicated toner in conjunction with medicated skincare products.
How to Use Face Toner Like a Pro
Are you ready to apply and reap the benefits of toner? Here are a few expert tips.
1. Apply it after cleanser
It is always advisable to apply toner immediately after cleansing. We need to restore our skin's pH balance after cleansing, and toner can do that.
The rule of thumb is to apply skincare products from lightest to heaviest (with the exception of sunscreen, which should always be applied last). As a result of its water-like consistency, toner should be applied right after cleanser and before moisturizers and serums.
2. Consider the ingredients when adjusting the frequency
The majority of super gentle toners that focus on hydration can be used every day. In contrast, if your toner contains stronger active ingredients like AHAs or BHAs, we recommend using it no more than twice a week.
If you are unsure about how often to apply the product, you should check the directions.
Clean cotton pads or cotton balls are the best way to apply toner (bonus points if they are reusable!). Using your pad or ball, saturate it with toner and pat it around your face.
The trick to using toner efficiently is to use it a little at a time. Start small and add more if necessary.
In case your skin is very sensitive or if the toner is extremely strong, you may wish to dilute it. Apply the toner to your cotton pad after it has been soaked in water. Once your skin adjusts to the formula, you can gradually phase out the water until you are applying the toner directly with a dry cotton pad.
Make sure that the toner you choose is alcohol-free by scanning the ingredient label. Alcohol always dries out the skin.
By disrupting and injuring the skin's natural barrier, it leaves the skin more susceptible to irritation, allergies, and environmental irritants.
The Bottom Line
Remember: While buying a toner, you should always read the label to avoid potentially harmful chemicals and to ensure that the ingredients are suited to your skin type.
Follow the step above, and choose a toner that does wonder for your skin.
Have any more “how to pick the best toner” questions? Drop them in the comment section below, and we’d be happy to answer.
