When it comes to a skincare routine, most of us know the basics—cleanse, moisturize, and protect. However, many people overlook the importance of using a facial toner.
While it may seem like an unnecessary extra step, facial toners offer a wealth of benefits that can enhance your skin’s health and appearance. As the Cleveland Clinic has reported, these products can hydrate, restore your skin’s pH balance, and even make your pores look smaller.
Since 1949, Doctor Eckstein has been helping customers craft the ideal skincare routine. If you’re new to toners, or even if you’ve used them before but aren’t convinced of their benefits, this guide will help you understand their value.
What Is the Purpose of Facial Toner?
Facial toners are liquid products designed to be used after cleansing but before moisturizing. Their main job is to remove any remaining dirt, oil, or makeup residue that may be left behind after your facial cleanser.
But a facial toner is more than just a last-minute step—its unique properties allow it to provide specific, targeted benefits that can contribute to your overall routine.
Let’s discuss what this type of product can do for your skin.
The Benefits of Facial Toner
The benefits of a facial toner depend on the toner’s formulation and ingredients. At Doctor Eckstein, for example, we have different toners, each one specialized for a specific skin condition.
For those with dry skin, a skin type specific toner can help to hydrate and restore moisture, providing an extra layer of hydration before applying a moisturizer. For oily skin, the right toner can help balance excess oil on the skin, tighten pores, and refine the skin’s texture without stripping away necessary moisture. Here are some of the potential benefits of a toner:
1. Hydrates and Refreshes
Not all face toners are the same. A good moisturizing facial toner will leave your skin feeling refreshed and more hydrated.
Toners can contain ingredients like fructose, urea, or silk protein, which attract moisture to the skin and help it retain water. This is especially beneficial for people with dehydrated skin that can dry out quickly or feel tight after cleansing.
2. Can Visibly Minimize Pores and Tightens Skin
If you’re dealing with visibly enlarged pores, toners can help minimize their appearance. The astringent properties of certain toners can help to refine pores, leaving your skin looking smoother and more even.
3. Soothes and Calms
After cleansing, your skin might feel irritated or inflamed, but a gentle toner specialized for sensitive skin can calm redness and provide instant relief. If you have very sensitive skin, look for face toners that are alcohol-free and enriched with calming ingredients like beta-glucan, allantoin or bisabolol to help reduce irritation and refresh your skin.
4. Prepare Skin for the Next Steps in Your Routine
Using a toner prepares your skin for the next skincare products in your routine, such as serums and moisturizers. By clearing away residue, toners make it easier for the products that follow to penetrate more effectively, enhancing their benefits.
Some FAQs:
Do You Need a Facial Toner?
We often hear this question from those just starting out in skincare or with minimal routines. The answer is a yes, especially if you want to maintain balanced, healthy looking skin.
While a hydrating facial toner might seem like an unnecessary extra step, it can be a huge bonus to your skin’s overall appearance. This is a gentle way to address specific skincare concerns without causing further irritation or excessive dryness.
How Do You Use a Face Toner?
Using a toner is easy for everyone. To incorporate this kind of product into your usual skincare routine, just follow these simple steps:
- Clean your skin thoroughly using a gentle cleanser suited to your skin type.
- Pour a small amount of toner, suited to your skin condition, onto a cotton ball or pad and gently swipe it across your face and neck, avoiding the sensitive area around your eyes. You can do this during both your morning and night routines.
- Give your toner a few moments to absorb fully into your skin before proceeding with other skincare treatments like serums, oils, or moisturizers.
By adding a toner to your daily regimen, you’ll elevate your skin care game and help ensure your skin is properly balanced and prepped for the rest of your routine.
In Summary: The Power of Facial Toners
Whether you're just starting out or are a seasoned skincare enthusiast, a facial toner is a powerful addition to your regimen. The benefits of facial toner—including either hydration, pore minimization, or calming—can help your skin look and feel its best.
Explore Our Facial Toners
If you’re looking for a face toner that delivers any of the benefits mentioned, you’ve come to the right place. All of Doctor Eckstein’s toners are designed with advanced skincare technology to offer safe, gentle, and effective products suitable for your specific skin type, even those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The right toner can help bring your skin back to a healthy, glowing state. Let us help you find the right one.
Ready to embrace the power of using a toner in your daily skincare routine? Browse our product line today. Your skin will thank you!
Wishing you Happy Skin,
Dr. Verena Eckstein (ND) and the Doctor Eckstein Team
