There seems to be an on going war between those who believe you should always use a toner and those who say no one should ever use toner. How do you determine if you need toner? What type of toner? How often should you use it? There is a LOT of information out there and it can become very confusing. Let's start with the very basics.
What is a cosmetic toner? A liquid used to cleanse skin. (simple right?)
How do you determine if you need a toner? This is an individual personal choice. If your skin feels clean and refreshed after using a toner and before you use a moisturizer then it is probably a good choice. If you skin becomes irritated, red, itchy or feels uncomfortably tight then it might be a good idea to stop using a toner or try to find the mildest toner on the market.
What type of toner? It depends greatly on your skin type: dry, oily, normal, sensitive, or combination. There are 3 types of toner: fresheners(mildest), tonic, and astringent(strongest).
Fresheners contain little or no alcohol, usually less than 10%, and is the mildest form of toner. It usually contains, water, a humectant (which helps to retain moisture), and a substitute for alcohol which may be caffeine or green tea oil. This is suitable for all skin types.
Tonics contain a little more alcohol, usually up to 20%, along with water and a humectant. These are formulated to be very well balanced and are ideal for normal, oily and combination skin types.
Astringents are the strongest of all toners with an alcohol content up to 60%, along with water, a humectant, and antiseptic ingredients. This is best for oily skin but be cautious because overuse can cause dryness and irritation.
How often should you use it? When using a toner based on your skin type, it is best to follow the product's instructions, advice from your physician, your Mom or what works best for you. Most recommend using during your morning and night time routines but if once a day or once a week works best for you then that's what you do.
Always adjust your routine as needed. I use a toner more in the summer than winter. In summer I use a stronger toner (due to oily skin) and a gentle toner in winter (due to drier skin).
Please note this is very basic information, for informational purposes only and to help you as a consumer to make the best choice for yourself. More detailed information can be found on the Internet or public library.
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