Why Do We Use Toners in Skincare and Are You Using the Right One?

In short, a toner is used to help refresh the skin after cleansing. Their formulas can range from alcohol to water-based, and the ingredients can vary. So, why do we use them? Believe it or not, cleansers used to have subpar formulations more often than not. In the past, they were made with harsh ingredients that weren't well-suited for the delicate skin on our faces. Many cleansers would even leave behind a film or residue that would occlude the skin and clog the pores. Yikes! Toners were then used as an extra cleansing step to help remove that layer of grime and restore the skin's pH balance.

However, skincare products have changed a lot in recent years. The cleansers of today are made with far better ingredients. And most of them don't disrupt our skin's pH levels as much either. Of course, this has caused toners to evolve as well. Nowadays, we have formulas for just about every skin concern. Some can help nourish and hydrate the skin, while others may target aging and breakout concerns. Toners have essentially become a jack-of-all-trades in skincare, and anyone can benefit from adding them to their routine. If you're still not sure where you stand on the toner debate, that's okay. Let's take a look at some of the reasons we use them.

Okay, toners aren't just a bunch of hocus pocus, but you could say they don't have one focus. With such a wide variety of formulas available now, they can serve a wide number of purposes. Here are a few ways a well-balanced toner can help you elevate your skincare routine.

1. They help boost the penetration of your other skincare products, leading to even better results. When our skin is properly cleansed, it becomes easier to absorb the ingredients in the products that follow. Who wouldn't want to get the most out of their skincare?
   
   
2. They can pick up any dirt or makeup left behind by your cleanser. I get it, sometimes you don't want to spend a long time washing your face. Your toner can act like a safety net, making sure your skin is free of debris. (Though, I still highly encourage you to wash your face at least twice a day for two minutes each time. Read my blog to learn more about the best method for cleansing.)
   
   
3. Toners will help restore your skin's natural pH. Remember what I said earlier about cleansers? Well, sometimes when we double cleanse (even with a gentle formula) or use an active cleanser, it can still disrupt our skin's natural pH balance. Using a toner will ensure your skin stays at an optimum pH level. Ideally, our skin should be somewhere between 4.5 and 5.5 on a scale of 0 to 14.
   
   
4. They can offer an extra opportunity to incorporate beneficial ingredients. Many toners are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and other essential components that can help nourish the skin. Some toners even feature mild chemical exfoliants. With so many amazing ingredients, it's like adding another potent serum to your routine.

Clearly, toners have come a long way since the early days, and they’re no longer one-size-fits-all. So how do you find the best option for your skin type? Well, most toners can be categorized into groups. There are nourishing toners, hydrating toners, active toners, and hydrosols. To simplify things, I've broken down each category and chosen a few of my favorite formulas for each one. Quick note: some toners will fit into more categories than one, especially in the nourishing and hydrating categories.

Nourishing toners are loaded with ingredients that help support healthy barrier function and encourage healing. As we know, inflammation and oxidation play a huge role in premature aging. This is why it’s important to include plenty of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients in your routine. Nourishing toners can offer an extra chance to incorporate these ingredients, and they can also help boost the efficacy of the serums that follow. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Le Mieux Essence Toner helps nourish and hydrate the skin. It contains bioactive peptides, 10 botanical extracts, moisture-binding hyaluronic acid, and healthy-aging minerals to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
• Skin Script Cucumber Hydration Toner is perfect for all skin types. An array of hydrating ingredients help to reduce irritation and balance surface lipids. Despite being hydration focused, the soothing and nourishing aspects are what I love about this toner.
• Face Reality Calming Facial Toner is a gentle formula that helps soothe dry and sensitive skin types. Aloe and rose distillate help the skin stay hydrated while calming inflamed acne.

Generally, you'll want to use your toner immediately after cleansing, and before any of your other skincare steps. While there are a variety of ways to apply your toner, I highly recommend ditching the cotton pads. Regular cotton balls and cotton pads soak up more product than they deposit onto your skin, which means you're wasting a lot of toner with every use. I don't know about you, but I want as much of my toner to end up on my skin as possible! This is why I recommend using our 2" Gauze Toner Pads. These woven pads won't soak up as much product as a regular cotton ball, and the rough texture provides gentle exfoliation. They're medical grade as well, so they are high quality and sanitary.

If you want to take it a step further, you can use your MBK Wave to help drive all these great ingredients further into the skin. This all-in-one skincare device comes with a toner pad attachment to help boost product penetration and ensure you're getting the most out of your toner. I highly recommend adding this step to your routine, because these toners are made with some really amazing ingredients. While it might be tempting to swipe the toner pad over your face once and be done with it, your skin will really benefit from the extra time taken to apply these formulas.

Given that toners have had such a rocky history, I can't blame you for feeling skeptical of their legitimacy. However, just as our cleansers and night creams have evolved, so too have our toners. Now they can offer an extra chance for us to introduce nourishing ingredients to our routine. Additionally, they can ensure our skin is properly cleansed and ready to take on the rest of our skincare products, which means better results in the long run. If you ask me, toners are as necessary as our SPF. So, if you want your skin to look its best, adding a toner to your routine is an amazing idea.