Toners have always been a part of a typical skincare routine. However, skin toners have become a category of their own. Infused with active ingredients like AHAs and BHAs, hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E, aloe vera, cucumber, toners are an essential step in your skincare routine. Here is everything you need to know about toners, how and when to apply toners and 9 natural skin toner recommendations.
What does a skin toner do?
Skin toners are usually the second step of a skincare regimen. Face toners prepare your skin for the next step i.e. day cream, serum or moisturizer. Toners also get rid of excess sebum (oil produced by our skin), dirt or leftover makeup on your wash while some even close your pores. However, they’re not a replacement for face cleansers.
In today’s day and age, most toners are water-based, pH balanced and often come with alpha-hydroxy acids along with cooling agents that help exfoliate skin and calm skin too.
Do toners balance pH?
The skin’s optimal pH is 5.5 – this is when your skin is healthy and can ward off harmful bacteria. However, a lot of harsh cleansers can dry out your skin, which is when your skin’s pH balance is out of order. This is where toners and face mists come in. Skin toners help balance the pH balance, amongst other things.
How do you apply toner?
You should apply a toner after washing your face, and before using a serum or moisturizer.
Apply toner on a freshly cleansed skin with the help of a cotton ball. You can use clean fingers to apply it.
Let it sit for 30-60 seconds and then move on the next step i.e. moisturizer.
What skin type should use toner?
All skin types should use a skin toner. Toners and face mists are now a category of their own in the world of skincare and there is enough variety of skin types and skin concerns.
Natural toner for sensitive skin should include rosewater, chamomile, aloe vera and calendula extracts. Best toner for combination skin should include antibacterial agents like tea tree oil that help reduce breakouts. You can also use natural skin toners with AHA-BHA acids along with cooling ingredients to reduce excess sebum, exfoliate chemically and keep your skin matte.
What is the best natural skin toner?
When it comes to skin toners and face mists, there are a variety of ingredients that make the cut. Keep reading to find out about natural ingredients that make for great skin toners and product recommendations!
Rosewater
Rosewater is a natural skin toner and is great for hydration. Find it in Kama Ayurveda’s Pure Rose Water. This is a 100% natural alcohol-free skin toner that hydrates skin and maintains pH balance. Kama Ayurveda’s Rosewater also makes for a great hydrating mist for skin and face that can be used any time of the day to refresh your skin.
Chamomile
Known for its soothing properties, chamomile works as a natural skin toner for sensitive skin. Find it in Plum’s Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner which calms and soothes skin. It’s an alcohol-free skin toner suited for natural and combination skin.
Tea Tree Oil
Great to fight oil and bacteria, tea tree oil helps fight bacteria and reduces excessive sebum produced by overactive glands. The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner is the best toner for combination skin. It helps minimizes the appearance of pores and leaves skin feeling clean, toned, refreshed and visibly clearer.
Aloe Vera
One of most commonly used ingredients in skin toners and face mists, aloe vera is a great ingredient that calms inflammation, hydrated skin and also reduces redness. Try Mario Badescue’s Aloe Vera Toner which is a gentle, alcohol-free skin toner ideal for dry and sensitive skin.
AHA
AHAs or Alpha-Hydroxy Acids are exfoliating agents derived from sugarcane or other plant sources, which is why they are often referred to as fruit acids. AHAs have an exfoliative effect, increasing the shedding of dead skin cells retained at the surface. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is pH balanced skin toner that hydrates and tones skin without irritation.
BHA
BHAs or Beta-Hydroxy Acids are oil-soluble and hence, penetrate deeper into the skin to ward off bacteria, dead skin cells and sebum. One such BHA is Salicylic Acid, which is one of the most commonly used ingredients in skincare. Nuetrogena’s Pore Refining Toner has both BHA, AHA and witch hazel is a non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic formula. This skin toner helps reduce the appearance of pores and gently refine skin, leaving it clearer, smoother and more even-toned
Witch Hazel
Found in northern America, witch hazel is a plant commonly used to make medicines since it helps with irritation and inflammation. Thayyers’ Witch Hazel Toner soothes skin and inhibits oil production too.
Calendula
Traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine, calendula flowers are known for their skin soothing properties. Try Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner, an alcohol-free skin toner that soothes and calms skin.
Cucumber
Widely known for its calming properties, cucumber is widely used in skincare products since it’s a natural astringent, lightens pigmentation, and refreshes skin. Find it in Biotique Bio Cucumber Toner is a gentle skin toner which has cucumber extracts, along with coriander, peppermint infused in Himalayan waters.
Now that you know everything about toners, make sure you choose the right one for your skin type and concern. Apply a toner immediately after cleansing and don’t forget to moisturise right after. If you’re using a toner with actives, remember to put SPF.
