Toners can be beneficial when incorporated within your skin care routine and used correctly. However, applying them too often, or using toners with ingredients that are not suitable for your skin type can have detrimental effects. Incorrect use Don’t use alcohol and soap-based toners that may irritate and dry out your skin. Similarly, avoid toners with exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid, as they may lead to further dryness and irritation. Oily skin

If you have dry skin and suffer from issues like eczema and rosacea, it's best to avoid products with added fragrances that can further irritate your skin. "Sensitive skin is almost universally found in the same people who may experience rosacea, eczema, dry skin, allergies and asthma," says board-certified dermatologist Shari Marchbein, M.D. "For those with skin sensitivities, I recommend using fragrance-free products and being cautious with any product or chemical/ingredient that may exacerbate irritation or inflammation." Dry skin can be problematic as it can cause your skin to respond by over-producing oils. This, in turn, can lead to acne breakouts or overly oily skin. The first (and most important) difference between the two products is how they affect your pores. The primary goal of a toner is to clean and tighten the pores on your face. This gives your skin a smooth, tight appearance and makes for a smooth surface to apply makeup to.Celleno, L. (2018). Topical urea in skincare: A review. Dermatologic Therapy, 31(6), e12690. doi: 10.1111/dth.12690 A good place to start when selecting your toner is determining your skin type. Common skin types include: Soothing ingredients: Dry skin and sensitive skin also go hand-in-hand, so it’s a good idea to choose formulas that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients along with hydrating ones. “Vitamin E, chamomile, and rose water can all help calm the skin,” explains Michele Farber, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Philadelphia. Our favorite toner for dry, sensitive skin is the Renee Rouleau Moisture Infusion Toner. Toners should not be used as a replacement for your cleanser. While they are able to remove impurities from the skin, they are most effective when used as a follow up to your cleanser. Sensitive skin

A toner should be used after cleansers because it’s water-based,” he advises. “Sometimes, toners come in a spray form, so you can mist it onto your face directly. Sometimes, they’re applied with a cotton ball, swab or round.” You may not see an immediate difference. It’s over the course of a few years that you’re not seeing your skin age,” he notes. How to use toner

Use toners with anti-inflammatory and clarifying properties. Aloe Vera and niacinamide are beneficial ingredients that can soothe the skin, while providing clarity to your complexion. Nope, shortcuts like dabbing your face mist across your face won't have the same impact as using a toner before you moisturize. Your patience with finding the right products and using them regularly as part of your skincare regime will protect your skin in the long term. While face mist can be used multiple times throughout the day, we don’t recommend that you do the same with your toner. As we mentioned above, toners often have some drying agents in them. If you use them too often, they can contribute to dry skin or even cause topical inflammation. Because exfoliation might leave your skin more susceptible to solar response soon after usage, a toner with AHAs that exfoliate the skin should be used at night. If you do decide to use a toner in the morning, make sure you follow up with sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. Endly, D. C., & Miller, R. A. (2017). Oily Skin: A review of Treatment Options. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 10(8), 49–55. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/

This will help to re-hydrate your skin with a bit of moisture, ensuring that your skin doesn’t become dry or irritated. Treatment toner - The pivotal use of treatment face toner targets specific skin concerns and provides spot solutions. Some of the types of treatment toners are brightening toners, soothing toners, and anti-aging toners. One of the major ingredients of treatment toner is Vitamin C, Zinc, and retinol.Restore skin’s pH balance. “We use acids like alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, lactic acid, salicylic acid and glycolic acid in moisturizers,” he adds. “So toners can definitely help to restore the pH balance of your skin.” I use this toner to calm down my skin after a sweaty workout, prior to reapplying my sunscreen. Instantly cools me down, and doesn't irrate my skin, which is very sensitive.

If you're in your 30s or 40s, a toner with antioxidants and moisturizing elements might be worth considering.

Ingredient Glossary

Tip 5: Lastly, for healing acne and blemishes, look for ingredients which have Glycolic acid or Salicylic Acid. For fading acne marks, components like Niacinamide will be extremely beneficial. Use a toner in the morning and in the evening after cleansing. Apply in the morning to help remove oils that have built up on the face overnight. In the evening, the toner will help to remove any lingering makeup, impurities and residue.