Last time, I offered a basic four-step skincare routine and if this is all you have the time or desire to devote to your skin, you are serving it well.
I also promised that I would offer additional steps for those who are interested. So read on if you want to learn more about toners, which can be added to your routine on a daily basis.
When I first started using toners, they were billed as part of cleansing and a way to help prevent breakouts. I can still recall the smell of Sea Breeze from my teens as well as the burning sensation on my skin after application. This was due to ingredients such as alcohol and menthol.
Luckily, toners have evolved from what I had access to way back when. For the most part, they are not considered cleansing products, but rather a treatment lotion, which begins the repair and protection of your clean skin, even before you apply your moisturiser.
When to apply
Toner should be used once you have cleansed your face, morning and evening, and before you apply anything else to your skin. To apply, saturate cotton wool with the toner and then sweep it over your face, neck and décolleté.
To this end, it is important that your skin is completely clean before you apply toner. If you find make-up and dirt on your cotton wool after swiping your face, you have a cleanser problem. As in your cleanser is not working well enough for you and you need to find something more suitable. Cleansing oils are a favourite for me and a great option to ensure your skin is as clean as you need it to be. Other cleansing options are here, here and here.
Closing the pores and reducing their size?
Many people think toners will close pores or help to make them smaller. Alas, neither is true.
Your pores are always open, which helpfully allows moisturiser and serums to penetrate, along with some environmental junk you’d rather not have in your pores. This is why twice daily cleansing is so important to help avoid build-up of the stuff you don't want on or in your skin.
And I'm sorry to say that pore size is determined by your genetics. Nothing can change this. If you are convinced that your pores look smaller after using toner, it is likely because your toner contains alcohol, which has temporarily caused your skin to expand, making pores appear smaller. Unfortunately, the actual pore size hasn’t changed and the alcohol will dry out your face.
How to choose a toner
When you are choosing a toner, think about your skin’s needs. Are you trying to balance combination skin? Do you need extra hydration? Or maybe an exfoliation boost? Are you looking to help your moisturiser and serum penetrate more deeply? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can select a toner that’s right for you.
Personally, I like to keep a few in my bathroom cabinet to help with whatever my skincare need is at the moment. Generally I use a balancing toner in the morning and an exfoliating toner at night. I have a few spritzes to use if I need extra hydration, on the ground or while in-flight. And if my skin needs extra TLC, I add a few drops of a peptide-rich toner to my moisturiser to amplify it.
With many options available, toners are a great addition to your skincare routine and your skin will reap the benefits of the extra care you are giving it.