Skin Toner Basics

You might have heard that skin toner can do a number of things. Most confusion about toner stems from the fact that the term "toner" can be used to refer to several different types of beauty aids, including traditional toners, astringents and fresheners.

Traditional toners consist of moisturizers, oils and extracts that help soothe your skin. Astringents, which are generally alcohol-based, tighten the skin and pores and remove oil. Fresheners work similarly to astringents by tightening the skin, but they are made of ingredients like caffeine and green tea instead of alcohol. Because all of these different products can fall under the toner umbrella, it's easy to see why toner is touted for tightening and moisturizing the skin -- as well as maligned for drying it out. You may have heard a lot about toner working to balance the skin, particularly after using a cleanser that can throw off your pH balance. In all actuality, toner is not really necessary here, and your skin should balance itself out.

Depending on what product you're actually using, it can do any of these things. In order to choose the right toner for your skin, look at the product ingredients carefully. Alcohol, for example, is a dead giveaway that you're dealing with an astringent. To get the results you want from your toner, you've got to know how to use it properly. Read on to learn how.

After learning about skin toner's benefits, you might think using it is a bit of a no-brainer; however, depending on your existing skin care regimen, incorporating skin toner requires a bit of thought.

No matter what, you'll want to start by washing your face with a cleanser. This cleanser should work with your particular skin type, so pay attention to whether your skin is dry, oily or a combination of both. Also, if your skin is particularly sensitive, you should be sure to use only products marked for sensitive skin. You should also stay away from bar soap (the kind you use on your body) because it can be too harsh for the soft skin of the face.

Use a towel that's soft and clean to dry your face. It's a good idea to have a particular towel devoted just to your face, as bacteria can thrive in towels. Next, you'll want to have some cotton balls, cotton rounds or facial tissues on hand to apply your astringent or liquid-based toner. Start swiping toner across your t-zone, or your forehead and nose. These are the oiliest spots and will benefit most from the astringent. You can then lightly brush it on your cheeks as well as other areas that may be oily. Stay away from any dry areas, as the alcohol in astringent can dry them out even further. (If you find your skin very dry, stay away from astringent-type toners all together.) Let your skin dry before applying any lotion or makeup. If you're using a creamy moisturizing toner, you can apply it with your fingers. Start with your cheeks, and gently massage it in throughout your face. Concentrate on any dry areas and only lightly cover your t-zone.

You're now an expert on the various types of toner and how to use it, so you can bring the spa to your own bathroom. To learn more, check out the links on the following page.