Have you noticed that skincare seems to have become a little complicated? Not only are there so many products that you’re supposed to be using, but there’s also a crazy long list of skincare ingredients to weed through. When it all gets a little overwhelming, it’s nice to take a step back to the basics. In the world of skincare, this means to cleanse, tone, and moisturize.

Of these three steps, it’s the toner that many of us still don’t completely understand. We have a vague idea of the how and why of using a toner, but there’s still a bit of mystery that surrounds this supposed essential skincare step. How exactly do facial toners work? Let’s take a look.

How Does a Facial Toner Work?

Like every other skincare product, the specific answer to this question depends on the unique active ingredients the toner contains. However, there is a simpler, general answer to this question we can explore.

Toners should assist in making your skin as healthy as possible by balancing the skin’s pH, depositing beneficial active ingredients and helping improve the efficacy of any products that follow, such as serums or moisturizers.

The beauty of a high-quality toner is that it can accomplish all these things without stripping away skin oils to the point that it dries out your skin and creates problems.

Toners also contain ingredients that help to loosen the “glue” that holds dead skin cells to the surface. OZNaturals Ocean Mineral Toning Mist contains glycolic acid which acts as a gentle exfoliant to help lift those dead skin cells off the surface. This enhances the appearance of skin that can sometimes be dull or lifeless looking.

When you use a facial toner that’s formulated for your skin type, you’re also benefiting from additional ingredients that are meant to enhance the health and appearance of your skin, such as antioxidants. And because toners help clear away dead skin cells and extra debris, these healthy skin ingredients are better absorbed through the skin’s surface where they can really get to work.

Is There a Difference Between a Toner and an Astringent?

Toners and astringents are a little like fraternal twins – similar enough that people often get them confused but also different in so many ways. If you think back to your days of adolescence and antiseptic smelling cotton balls when you hear the word “toner”, what you’re actually recalling is an astringent.

Astringents are formulated with solvent alcohols and other harsh ingredients that are meant to “cut through” oil and reveal a clean, fresh face underneath. You’ll find astringents on the shelves of your local drug store but honestly, they really aren’t well suited for any skin type. The alcohol and other harsh ingredients they contain are just too drying.

Good toners are alcohol-free and contain ingredients that treat and support individual skin types, even for those with oily and acne-prone skin.

Best Time to Use a Toner

How often should you use a toner and is it better to use one in the morning or at night? Ideally, the toner you use should be formulated to your skin type so that it can be integrated into your regular daily skincare routine both morning and evening.

A well-formulated toner can be used twice daily between cleansing and moisturizing. As always, when you’re trying a new product, or if you’ve noticed a recent shift your skin type, it’s best to start out slow. Try using a new toner once every other day until you know how your skin tolerates it.

A toner can also serve as a refresher for the skin during the day, as well as to help set makeup. And what’s good for your face is also good for the skin on your body. Many fans of OZNaturals Ocean Mineral Toning Mist enjoy using it as an all-over refresher after a shower or bath.

Beautiful, Radiant Skin – Every Day

When you look in the mirror, do you love what you see? Each and every one of us should be proud of the reflection that looks back at us. Taking good care of your skin is one step helping your natural beauty shine through. A high-quality facial toner can play an important role in this process. When your skin looks and feels radiant, so do you, and that’s the “you” the world wants to see.

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