How does a skin toner work?
Skin toners are cosmetics that improve skin texture and complexion by shrinking the pores. They come in the form of lotions, sprays, and even gels. Skin toners are also called astringents, clarifiers, or skin fresheners.
The direction for using this cosmetic is pretty simple.
- Once you’ve washed the face, put some toner on a cotton pad.
- Use the cotton pad to spread the toner evenly over the face and neck.
- For even better results, spritz your face with a spray toner.
- Next, wait for some five minutes for the toner to dry before applying your serum or moisturizer.
Using a skin toner comes with a number of benefits. For instance, it improves skin moisture retention, it shrinks pores for an even complexion and texture. Toners also stabilize skin pH making it less habitable for acne-causing bacteria.
Which is the best toner for you?
There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right toner for you. Among other considerations, you should beware of the type of skin you are dealing with. Toner brands are designed specifically for oily or dry skin and anything in between.
For instance, if you have oily acne-prone skin salicylic acid-based toners are your perfect suit. Such toners enhance the exfoliation of the dead skin cells helping improve your skin tone and texture.
Toners with bentonite clay also work wonders on oily skin. The ingredient is known to inhibit sebum production thus regulating skin glow while also dissolving oily clogs from the pores.
For individuals with dry skin, toners with glycerin or essential oils are the best. They improve skin moisture retention also enhance sebum secretion.
If you have dry skin, alcohol-based toners are the last thing you want to imagine, let alone applying on your face.
If yours is a combination of dry and oily skin, then lactic acid toners are what to go for. Lactic acid is known to enhance skin moisture content, sebum secretion, and even improves skin tightness.
So, from the above mentioned, the choice of an ideal toner depends on the type of skin and the active ingredients.
The Common skin toner ingredients To Look For
- Lactic acid: Lactic acid is often in toners for those with a combination of oily and dry skin. The ingredient regulates skin moisture retention and sebum secretion. And because it does not thin the skin, this ingredient can also be used on sensitive skin. Research shows that use of lactic acid can lead to smoother skin, and less lines and wrinkles.
- Salicylic acid: The ingredient significantly reduces sebum secretion while maintaining skin moisture retention. It is thus, ideally suited for use in oily skins. Toners with salicylic acid are best for relieving acne symptoms. Salicylic acid is effective at treating skin disorders (source).
- Algae: A common ingredient in toners for those with sensitive skin. It is rich in amino acids that improve skin moisture and oxygenation. The amino acids also enhance the removal of grime, dirt and dead skin cells (source).
- Coenzyme Q10 and Hyaluronic acid: these ingredients are often used in toners for normal skin. Hyaluronic acid is a potent skin-hydrating agent while coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant.
- Aloe Vera extracts and Vitamin C: Aloe Veraextracts are rich in anti-inflammatory peptides that soothe skin inflammations. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is rich in antioxidants. These ingredients are often used in toners for mature adult skin.
What are the Benefits of using skin toners?
Wiping or spritzing your face with facial toners comes with many benefits. Skin toners help balance skin pH. Stable skin pH value keeps moisture retention and sebum secretion under tight control. That has the advantage of the skin not being oily nor dry, but adequately hydrated.
Some toners are also enriched with antioxidants that rid the skin of free radicals implicated in aging signs. Facial toners generally help unclog skin pores, remove toxins, dirt, and dead skins.
Some toners also work by shrinking pores and tightening the skin. They make your skin healthier, brighter, and with an even complexion. What’s more, skin toners are also used to manage and eliminate acne symptoms.
That said, below are some top-tier toners you may want to consider. These brands are from industry-leading manufacturers of quality skincare products. The collection constitutes the best toners, in our opinion.
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