1. Some toners are humectants, which means they attract moisture. So, if your skin is extremely oily and if you feel your toner provides enough moisture, you can definitely skip the moisturizer.
If all your products (serum, moisturiser, sunscreen etc) already have their fair share of antioxidants, you don't need an extra toner too. Dry skin: If your skin feels tight and dry during the day, you skin needs more moisture. You can either opt for a hydrating toner or a richer moisturiser. It's up to you.
That's not all! A toner also prepares your pores to absorb nutrients better. Whatever you apply after a toner to complete your skincare routine, be it a face serum, moisturizer, or night cream, it makes the skin more receptive and gives you better results. So, never skip this step before going to bed!
The Final Takeaway
If you already use the above alternatives, you can probably skip toner—that is, unless you love a routine with all the steps, because skincare is actually so indulgent. In that case, carry on.
According to her, it's okay to skip moisturizer when you don't need it, such as when you're in a humid environment that's already full of moisture. "You don't always have to use a moisturizer, especially if you have oily-prone skin or if you've just used an HA serum that helps moisturize," Dr. Cindy explains.
Many people tend to skip the toner in the morning. But it's actually a very important step because it balances the pH of your skin and preps it for moisturizing. Look for toners without alcohol, which can severely dry your skin.
Using a cotton pad, apply toner all over your face and neck. If you have a toner spray then spritz it all over your face, neck, and then wipe off using a cotton pad. Use a moisturiser according to your skin type after applying a toner. Take some moisturiser on your palm and apply dots all over your face.
In short, yes. "A daily moisturizer is necessary to maintain your skin's moisture barrier and to prevent environmental damage to your skin," Weinstein explains.
“No, toners are not necessary for skin health, so you don't need to use one” states Dr Sonia Khorana, GP with Special Interest in Dermatology and Cosmetic Doctor. “Toners were previously used to remove whatever was left behind of your make-up and dirt after cleansing and balance skin pH.
Dr. Zein Obagi, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of ZO Skin Health, says that using moisturizer could actually be detrimental to skin. “When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29.
It's not going to hurt you and it's definitely better than nothing. But there are some good reasons to consider using a separate moisturizer at night or even a more intensive night cream.
'The alcohol found in toners can be a trigger for rosacea, increase the risk of breakouts in acne-prone skin or exacerbate sensitivity,' reveals cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting. This means that regular use of toners could leave the skin irritated, inflamed and vulnerable to environmental damage.
Toners do not have any adverse side effects, as long as you avoid alcohol-based ones which may irritate your skin. Overusing a toner (more than twice a day) can also cause skin irritation.
Toners can help close pores and tighten cell gaps after cleansing, reducing the penetration of impurities and environmental contaminants into the skin. It can even protect and remove chlorine and minerals present in tap water. It acts like a moisturizer.
“In one day, the dryness you can experience is very, very minimal. But your skin can start to look a little flaky in two days, and after three days without a moisturizer, touching your skin can bring about red spots and that uncomfortable feeling.”
Your skin wants a layer of moisture, and if it doesn't have it the normal protective barriers and correct pH levels of the skin can be disrupted. This protective layer disruption can come along with dryness, redness, and an overall low level of inflammation in your skin.
If you're regularly washing your face — even just with water — you should be moisturizing too. If you have oily skin, skipping moisturizer won't prevent acne and will lead to premature signs of aging. If you have dry skin, skipping moisturizer will result in skin cracking, itching, flaking, and becoming tight and red.
Facial toner is basically the in-between skincare step. It's meant to be used after washing your face but before using your serum or moisturizer.
A toner help clean off the surface oil/dirt etc, hydrate and prep the skin for moisturizer.
It doesn't have to be dripping wet—just damp.” Rouleau says toner, serum, and moisturizer should occur within 60 seconds of cleansing to prevent moisture from evaporating.
When to moisturize
“It's good to put moisturizer on after you cleanse your face,” Jaliman says, which can be twice a day, morning and night. Plus, moisturizing immediately after bathing or showering will help seal in moisture.
If you're using a super gentle toner that focuses on hydration, you can most likely use it daily. However, if your toner includes stronger active ingredients like AHAs or BHAs, "it shouldn't be used more often than a couple of times weekly," Herrmann says.
Hydration aside, a skin toner can also help to brighten or smooth your complexion depending on its ingredients. On top of that, some toners may also contain astringents to help regulate sebum production.