Toner is often thought of as the non-important part of your skincare regimen but it is the most essential. Toner is thought of as a secondary option mostly because its importance to your skin is often unclear. 

But the truth is, a wise choice of toner can improve your skin to a great extent. Toners come in many forms and are formulated for different skin types. 

But firstly, what is a toner?

Toner is a water-based liquid form that you can find in your nearest drugstore which is infused with soothing ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint, and aloe. You can find toners made according to your skin type. A toner refreshes your skin without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture.

A toner will not irritate your skin or make it dry. Toner prepares your skin for moisturizing after cleaning your face with a cleanser or skin treatment.

Toner removes dirt, oil, and impurities that remain stuck on your face after you have washed your face with a cleanser. You can apply toner either with your hands or a cotton ball. Dip the ball in the toner and sweep it across your face and neck every morning after washing your face and at night before going to bed.

There are some things that you should consider before buying a face toner to make sure it is best suited for you –

1. Oily Or Acne-prone Skin

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, then a toner that has exfoliating properties is the one for you. Toners that contain ingredients like glycolic acid and salicylic acid are considered the best face toner for sensitive skin as they help in dissolving dead skin cells and keep acne, breakouts, and excess oiliness far away from your skin.

It can do all this without drying out your skin.

For people having this type of skin, it’s best if you apply toner once a day that is at night. Overusing a toner can make your skin sensitive. Be careful and think before mixing toner with a separate exfoliant, physical or chemical.

If you have chosen a chemical exfoliant, use it only twice a week as it will have concentrations of glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

2. Sensitive Skin Or Have Skin Redness

If you have sensitive skin, then you must stay away from alcohol-based toners or exfoliate toners. All of this can prove to be very harsh on your skin.

Instead, go for a toner that is hydrating and has moisturizing ingredients and humectants like glycerine and aloe vera. All these ingredients will soothe your sensitive skin and hydrate it without irritating it.

3. Avoid Toners That Has Alcohol As One Of Its Ingredients

Astringents are those toners that include alcohol as one of their important ingredients. These tones were highly popular as they were thought to kill bacteria and get rid of excess oil effectively.

Although all alcohol-based products are not bad, they tend to dry out and irritate your skin. It’s best if you stay far away from these toners as they can damage your skin if you have dry or sensitive skin.

There are some steps that you should follow before buying a toner –

Step 1: Know Your Skin Type

• Dry skin – This skin has smaller pores, feels tight, and has a dull and rough complexion. During winter, this type of skin tends to become dry and flaky. This skin type is easily prone to cracking, peeling, redness, and itchiness.
• Oily skin – Oily skin is the opposite of dry skin as it has bigger pores, gives a shiny look from the excess oil retention on the face and when blotted with a tissue gives a visible oil residue.
• Combination skin – This type of skin is harder to handle than the rest of the two as it tends to have the qualities of both dry and oily skin or normal skin. This skin generally has large pores and is oilier in the T-zone area that is forehead, nose, and chin. However, areas like cheeks and face sides have smaller pores and are dry as compared to the rest of the face.
• Sensitive skin – This skin gets easily irritated, be it beauty products, touching, hot water, alcohol consumption, or spicy foods. Some of the characteristics of the skin include redness, itching, and burning of the skin.

Step 2: Choose Skin Toner According To Your Skin Type

• Hydrating toner – As mentioned above, if you have dry skin, go for skin toners that have hydrating properties. Go for products that have peptides, glycolipids, rose hips seed oil or jojoba oil, dimethicone, and glycolic acid. Avoid products that contain alcohol, sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate, mineral oil, petrolatum, etc as they tend to make skin drier.
• Refreshing toner – People with oily skin must go for toners that are refreshing and gentle on the skin. Toners with alcohol will make your skin dry which will force it to produce even more oil, so avoid buying alcohol-based toners. Use oil-free toners which have ingredients like sodium hyaluronate, sodium PCA, and AHA.
• Two different toners – People who have a combination of skin must choose two different toners: one for summer and one for winter. For summer use oil-free ingredients-based toner while for winter, use a hydrating toner that will moisturize your skin.
• Gentle toner – Toners that are free of alcohol and acids are best for sensitive skin types. Use products that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients. 

Step 3: Buying The Toner

• Check the ingredients – Always check the ingredients to see if they suit your skin type.
• Irrespective of your skin type, avoid toners that contain tough astringents like alcohol, menthol, witch hazel, etc. This can irritate your skin and strip the skin of its natural oils. Also, avoid any fragrances such as rose water or citrus fruits.
• When you think of buying a toner, don’t go too cheap. Visit a department store rather than going to a drugstore. The toners at drugstores contain a high amount of alcohol, which can irritate your skin.

Wrapping Up

Toner is one the best additions to your skincare regimen if you use it efficiently.