"Toners containing alcohols or witch hazel remove excess oil from the skin and can actually help prevent breakouts for those with acne-prone skin," she says.
"Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, or for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products such as sunscreen," she said.
Toners can be beneficial for people with sensitive skin. Not only do they clear the skin of possible irritants, but they can also help keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Toners can be used even on sensitive skin that is particularly dry, oily or acne-prone.
'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.
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.
When to Pat: Almost your entire skincare regimen — toners, essences, serums, moisturizers, and eye creams included — should be patted into the skin, since liquids, creams, lotions, and gel-based offerings absorb best with this technique. Leave the (gentle!)
Go gentle if you're sensitive: Toners that contain alcohol can be very drying and irritating (even if you have oily skin), so it's best to steer clear of these.
"There are alcohol-free toners and most have it written on their packaging." Choose soothing ingredients. According to Wnek, allantoin is a great ingredient to look for for sensitive skin, as it moisturizes and soothes. Other good ingredients for sensitive skin are hyaluronic acid, aloe vera and rose water.
Vitamin C is generally pretty safe and well tolerated, but if you have sensitive skin, it might sting a little bit—especially if you use it in the same part of your routine as exfoliating scrubs or acids.
You definitely need to apply moisturizer after toner. Moisture is necessary for having healthy, wrinkle-free skin. After using a toner, your skin can absorb and retain moisture better than before; hence you should use a moisturizer.
Toner removes any last traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores after you wash your face. When added to your daily skincare routine and used regularly, it can have major positive impact on the appearance and tightness of your pores (hello, aging skin).
As glycolic acid molecules are so small, this skincare ingredient does have the ability to cause irritation in sensitive skin. If you're new to using this ingredient in your skincare routine, it's best to introduce very gradually; a good starting point is once per week, building up frequency from there.
How should I use it? As with any exfoliant, it's safest to start small if you have sensitive skin or are prone to irritation. A glycolic cleanser can get your skin used to it and allow you to see how well your skin tolerates glycolic acid without risking a severe reaction.
First Aid Beauty makes a “great” salicylic acid spot treatment that targets blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads and is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin, according to Garshick.
It treats certain skin conditions
Allawh says that rose water may help treat mild acne, eczema, psoriasis, and dry, flaking skin on the face. It's also safe for sensitive skin and can be used to soothe sunburns.
Directly Apply by Hand
Because the toner will absorb and work best when using clean hands. Similar to using cotton, the application of toner by hand is also enough to be gently patted so that the toner can be more absorbed into the skin.
Wet Or Dry? It's best to apply toner to a dry face, especially if you're using a pH balancing toner. To use toner properly, after cleansing, pat your face dry or dry it with a light towel. Then, place some toner onto a cotton pad and spread it over your face and neck.
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.
But, whether you get it in a toner, exfoliant, serum, or moisturizer, it doesn't matter. Just find a product you like and that works for you. If it's a toner, use a toner. If it's a serum, use a serum and skip the toner.
What is a natural face toner? A “natural” face toner is a toner without alcohol, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. Synthetic ingredients are those made in a lab. Instead, natural toners contain ingredients you're more likely to recognize, like cucumber, rose water, and witch hazel.