A toner, also known as an astringent, is an essential part of your daily skincare routine. It balances the pH level of your skin and acts as an extra boost to remove oil and grime from your face. If you’re still not sure why you need a toner in your life, here are five reasons to convince you that this simple product will improve your skin in the long run.
1) Stops oil production
Dry skin can be tough to manage but using a toner on oily skin doesn’t have to be. In fact, astringents are one of many useful products you can use to control oil production without drying out your skin too much. After cleansing and drying your face, apply an astringent onto a cotton ball and gently swipe across areas that tend to produce excess oil (forehead, nose and chin). This will help remove any remaining dirt or residue left behind after washing and close pores. Don’t overdo it! Overuse of toners with alcohol can actually dry out your skin and make matters worse.
2) Balances your skin
Toners are an essential part of any skincare routine. Formulated with astringents to remove excess oils and impurities, toners close your pores and balance your skin’s pH levels after cleansing. A good toner can help reduce redness, inflammation, and even acne breakouts. Most importantly, it ensures that products applied afterwards will be absorbed into your skin fully and effectively. This means you get better results from your moisturizer, sunscreen, serums, etc. (not to mention all those expensive ingredients). A toner is also helpful for treating issues like blackheads or clogged pores—but only if they’re formulated for that purpose! Just like how you wouldn’t use hand soap on dishes (and vice versa), different cleansers have different purposes.
3) Hydrates your skin
Sometimes your skin feels tight and dry after cleansing, because you’ve removed oil without replenishing hydration. Adding a toner back into your routine can give your skin a boost of moisture, which will keep it feeling soft. Even if you don’t have particularly dry skin, it’s still smart to use an alcohol-free toner—your body naturally produces enough oils throughout the day without adding to that layer. This is especially true for those with acne-prone skin, as excess sebum (oil) can clog pores and lead to breakouts. A good toner should leave your face feeling clean but not stripped or tight.
4) Treats acne without drying out your skin
Because many acne products include salicylic acid, it’s important to find an option that doesn’t strip away moisture from your skin. Luckily, there are many toners on the market today that do just that. One of our favourites is Pixi Glow Tonic. It contains ginseng and aloe vera, both of which naturally soothe and hydrate skin without drying it out or irritating sensitive complexions. Bonus: It smells fantastic too!
5) Can treat hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is a medical term for dark spots on your skin. But what are dark spots, exactly? They’re areas of skin that are either darker or more discoloured than other areas. They can be flat or raised, small or large, and anywhere on your body. Dark spots usually occur when too much melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its colour) is produced in one area of skin over time. This causes your skin to turn brownish black instead of its normal shade. Some common causes of hyperpigmentation include sun damage, acne scars, melasma (also known as the mask of pregnancy), hormonal changes, aging and even stress. Luckily, there are some products that you can use to help lighten up these dark spots. One such product is toner.
