EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT TONERS

Cleanse, tone, moisturise: the Holy Grail of skincare. We know that cleansing our skin helps remove impurities, and moisturising keeps it soft and supple. That middle step, however, is perhaps one that many of us have pondered, and are probably guilty of throwing out the window. So, what is the idea behind toning, and is it really a worthy step in our skincare routines? We spoke with Dr Janet Mason, head of product development at Q+A Skincare, to find out…

DO I REALLY NEED TO USE A TONER?

“The three-step process is still a great basis for your essential skincare routine – and toning certainly shouldn’t be missed,” Dr Mason says. “A toner can minimise the appearance of pores and balance the skin. A toner also acts as a gentle exfoliator, removing any impurities, such as make-up or pollutants, that may have been missed when cleansing. This ensures your skin is as clean as possible before you apply a moisturising product. Many people are also unaware that a toner can increase the performance of moisturisers and serums, as it enhances the absorption process whilst balancing the skin.”

BUT WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

It seems toners have their place in our skincare routine – we certainly won’t be omitting this step ourselves anytime soon! But what are the benefits you can glean only from a toner? “For me, the main benefit of a toner is to balance the pH and oil levels of the skin. Our skin is naturally acidic, but its pH levels can be upset whilst cleansing owing to the alkaline nature of many cleansers; this may lead to the skin over-producing oil,” says Dr Mason.

WHAT TYPE OF TONER SHOULD I BE USING?

Now that you know the importance of incorporating a toner into your daily routine, you may be wondering what the most effective formula is. Dr Mason recommends looking for ingredients such as niacinamide, which acts as a magnet for dirt and oil, as well as natural hydrators like aloe vera, and moisturising and soothing ingredients such as glycerin; a great moisturiser that can prevent dehydration by providing a barrier against environmental damage. Be wary though: glycerin can be derived from animal fat or vegetable oil, so it’s important to check the origin of glycerin in your toner when working out if the product is cruelty-free or suitable for vegans. It’s also worth noting that while many people place an emphasis on the ingredients we should be looking out for in a product, we should also consider ingredients to steer clear of. Alcohol-based toners tend to dry skin out – even for those with oily complexions. Avoid parfums as well, as these often contain alcohol as well as potential allergens.

So, what’s the verdict? It seems that a toner is here to stay, as it’s a valuable step in our skincare routines. Use yours after cleansing and before your serum or moisturiser to see the best results; you can even use it throughout the day to refresh your skin on-the-go! Continuous use of a toner that suits your skin type can make a huge difference to the appearance of your skin, so stick with yours and you’ll have a radiant complexion in no time.