How to Use Toner on Your Face
You’ve likely heard of facial toner, but you’re not alone if you aren’t quite sure what it does. Here is everything you need to know about how toner works and how you might benefit, based on your specific skin type.
What is Toner?
Because toner goes by many names, there is some confusion about what it actually is. Toner used to be called an astringent, but this commonly refers to an alcohol-based toner. Now, toner is generally made with a water-based formula and other gentle hydrating ingredients. It is also referred to as a facial spray, facial mist, or tonic.
Why is Toner Important?
Toner helps the skin appear moisturized and acts as a booster when cleansing the skin. It picks up excess dirt and oil that your cleanser missed. Toner also exfoliates the skin and removes dead or damaged skin cells to combat early signs of aging or congested skin that can lead to acne breakouts. Exfoliating the skin before applying moisturizer or other skincare products also boosts their effectiveness.
What Does Toner Do for Your Skin?
Toners visibly brighten, smooth, and refresh the skin. Different toners are made for different skin types, so you can easily find the right product for your specific concerns. People with dry skin can benefit from a toner with added hydration while people with oily or acne-prone skin can benefit from exfoliating cleansers that help dissolve excess oil.
Benefits of Toner
Toner is a versatile product with many benefits for your skin. Along with visibly hydrating the skin, some toners also have exfoliation benefits, revealing beautiful-looking skin with a smooth texture and beautiful glow. Toner also imparts nutrients and humectants that help the skin barrier and add moisture. It even temporarily minimizes the appearance of pores for added clarity and smoothness in your skin’s texture.
When to Use Toner
Toner can be used in the morning or at night as part of your daily skincare routine. Apply your toner after facial cleansing but before the application of moisturizer, serums, and other skincare products. Although it can be used twice daily, be careful not to overuse clarifying toners since that could cause the skin to dry out.
How to Use Toner for the Best Results
Toner is very easy to use, but there are a few ways to maximize its effectiveness. If you are using a spray, apply an even layer of toner across your face and neck and let it dry. You can also spray the toner into your hands and pat it on the skin, just make sure your hands are clean first. Bottled toner can also be applied with your hands or a cotton pad. Soak the cotton pad in the toner and gently sweep it across the skin in an upward motion. For areas that are particularly dry or have fine lines and wrinkles, following with a water-loving product with hyaluronic acid and a hydrating moisturizer will help you achieve a glowing look.
Types of Toner
Bottled toner is the most popular type, and it was the first kind available. Bottled toner is best applied with a cotton pad or your fingers. Spray-on toner is another option that is easy to use, especially on the go or if you don’t want to worry about disposable cotton pads.
Our Recommended Toners
At Epicuren Discovery, we specialize in clean skincare designed for specific skin types and skin concerns. These are some of our favorite toners for each skin type:
- Normal Skin: Protein Mist Enzyme Toner, Skin Conditioner Enzyme Toner, Rebalance & Rewind Vegan Collagen Toner
- Combination: Brazilian Propolis Mist
- Dry Skin: Colostrum Hydrating Mist
- Sensitive: Soothe Dermal Repair Mist, Refresh Aloe Cucumber Mist
- Acne: Clarify Exfoliating Astringent
- Oily: Brazilian Propolis Mist, Clarify Exfoliating Astringent
Frequently Asked Questions
- How should I apply toner to my face?
- The toner can be applied with a cotton pad, spritz bottle, or your fingers. Apply it in an upward motion after letting it sit on the face for a few seconds.
- What does toner do for your face?
- Toner visibly hydrates and brightens the skin while preparing it for other products.
- Can I use face toner every day?
- Most people can benefit from the everyday use of toner, but it’s important to choose one for your specific skin concerns and skin type. Do you put toner on wet or dry skin?
Toner should be used on slightly damp skin so that skin feels more moisturized.
Shop Facial Toners at Epicuren Discovery
At Epicuren Discovery, you can trust in our science-backed skincare made with high-quality, natural ingredients. If you’re considering adding a facial toner to your skincare routine, we encourage you to shop our collection today or take our online Skin Quiz to help you develop a customized skincare routine.