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Toner, is there a point?

18 posts, 18 members
adelewarburton
53 posts
Good morning beauties, I have a question about toner. Is it a necessary step in my skincare routine or not? I have combination skin, normal around chin and forehead but tend to get quite dry around the nose and cheeks. There I was last night to in gay and I thought should I be doing this for my skin type, is it better for oily skins ?. What does toner do and are there different ones for skin type? I use the antipodes ananda toning water which does feel really nice on my skin. Your advice and recommendations are gratefully received.
thanks Adele
BeautyCutie
130 posts
If you're going to be using toner, then Antipodes probably provides one of the best toners you can get! I'm a huge fan of their brand and know that their natural approach to skincare is also one of the most effective.

However, I personally don't see the point in using toner. I have tried several different brands, and none of them having any effect on my skin whatsoever. Although they can work well on some skin types, for me they just add extra hassle in my routine.
Manda129
419 posts
The main point of a toner is to bring your PH balance back to normal after using a cleanser, which is great for oily skin,

I have dry skin and find that a toner just doesnt work for me, maybe because I use a creamy cleanser which doesn't strip the skin like a cleanser for oily skin would

Its really your choice whether you use one or not, a lot of skincare companies don't believe in toners. :)
chikoboo
3402 posts
I have dry/comb skin and mainly use my toner to help tighten up my pores to prevent them becoing clogged which would result in blackheads and spots.  I've found since starting to use a toner my skin has a balance where I'm not too oily in the t-zone as I normally am, but still hydrated in the dry areas, this is probably due to the type I use, which is witch hazel and aloe vera toner.  I wouldn't skip it now but I guess its a personal preference, if you have normal skin that doesn't require it =)
sunelizabeth
410 posts
My skin is on the dry side and I have used a toner for about 2 years now. Really unsure if I actually need it but it's just a habit now. I got another one from the BR vault too.
KimberleyMarie
16 posts
If you are using a good cleanser, it shouldn't throw off the pH of your skin and therefore you shouldn't really need a toner, because all they really do is balance your skin's pH. However, if you have a product that really works for you or something that a dermatologist/doctor has prescribed you and it is quite akaline then using a toner is probably a good idea. Toners generally are acidic so there's no need to use one if other products you're using are already pretty acidic. 
brushandbullet
395 posts
The way I understand it is that toners used to be quite astringent -- lots of alcohol, very drying, made for wiping off remaining cleanser.

These days there are different types for different purposes. Like everyone else has mentioned, there's the pH balancing thing. But it's also another step where you can customise it to suit your skin or needs. For example:

Dry skin: moisturising toner that contains ingredients like glycerin to help retain moisture. It also helps to apply your serum/moisturiser while the toner is still damp on your skin.

Oily/acne-prone skin in need of pore cleansing: something containing salicylic acid (this cuts through oil in your pores)

If you need exfoliation: something containing AHAs like lactic or glycolic acid.

I find that if I apply serums or moisturisers on top of toner while it's still damp helps lock moisture in (generally moisturisers contain occlusives which seals in the moisture). I also end up using less because it spreads easier!
Hollie
320 posts
I've always wondered this too. I liked the Comfort Zone toner I had tho, as it did seem to soften my skin with a sort of tightening effect, without drying. I have found the Shiseido softening toner has a similar softening and tightening effect. Not sure if I'll bother buying again tho, with all the serums etc i have now.
Farmers-Wife
2052 posts
I haven't idea what toner is meant to do. All I can say is what I experienced :)

I have had 2 samples. I have dry sensitive skin. Once I have washed my face with cleanser, I put toner on the face cloth (I no you're meant to use the other wee things)
when I put it on, I do one side first. I always notice how the redness vanishes and the pores demand to "close" I only use it a couple of times a week.

My face seems to feel cleaner, less red, and slightly smoother. The evening moisturiser seems to sink in even better as well :)
tannygirl
3392 posts
I second Antipodes' Ananda Toner. It's my current fave, it's pricey but it has helped my skin when it was oily and when it was dry. So it's a good all round toner and hasn't irritated my skin either or been really astrigent plus because it has nice gentle fairly neutral ingredients it provides a nice base for pimple creams and serums and anything that would have stronger ingredients like retinol or gycolic acid.
Kaitlyn343
268 posts
I've never used a toner before but have just started too to balance out my skin more. I think a toner is meant to remove the last traces of make-up that the cleasner has missed from your pores. It's a personal preference really :) I would also like to hear what other people have to say about this!
Rhiannon135
74 posts
Toners tend to have 5 important functions:

Balance the pH level of the skin after cleansing
Soften the texture of the skin
Moisturise the skin
Prepare the skin for your moisturiser (it helps the moisturiser to penetrate more deeply
Gently remove dead skin cells (if using a cotton pad to apply)

Just make sure you pick the right toner for your skin, some are better suited for oily skin, while others might have added moisture in them too.
 
Paggy
4 posts
This is why I really love BR, I can find the answer to everything and it comes from the very personal experience from everyone on here! I actually have a question about toners... I use toner as part of my daily skincare routine, but is it necessary to apply toner before you put on a mask (for example, Origins overnight leave-in mask)? I have done the mask with and without toner beforehand and haven't noticed any dramatic differences... Any advice please? :)
100_percent_ash
488 posts
I can't live without my toner now. I couldn't go back to just cleansing and moisturising it makes a definite difference in my skin's feel and appearance. Alcohol free is a must though, for me at least
HouseOdBanana
350 posts
I used to think that too, but after some research, what I got out of it is that toner takes the final bits of dirt of your skin. It can also do other things like tighten your pores and oil control. I now can not do my daily routine with out my holy grail LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner!
nemesisroxx
506 posts
I never used to use toner when I was younger. It was just straight wash my face with water and hope for the best. It's taken me years to get into a routine of cleanse tone n moisturise. For me, when I cleanse with the Nubian African Black Soap; it cleans my skin soooo good that even when I do use toner, the pad comes away clean. I still use it hoever as I feel it tightens my pores. 
AliciaMarie
31 posts
Hmmm yes the world of toners.... Can be a tricky one!

Yes there is some belief with some skincare ranges that they dont believe in a toner, the cleanser should be doing all the work in the way of cleansing the skin and mantaining the structure. I personally have worked with brands that dont believe in toners and others that do.

It is very dependant on the brand you choose, your skin type and the beliefs of the brand.. Some brands or more supportive of some techniques over others. They do try and cater for all skin types/ conditions but it is all about belief system within the brand.

Toners can be great for an oily skin as they can reinforce the cleanse and they have specialised ingrediants to support your Ph level, ensuring that it is at a normal state. Then some toners can be great for a dry skin as it can help to sooth and skin and help the moisturiser, that you apply after be absorbed into the depper layers of the skin. These are facts that I have learnt from being a Beauty Theapist and there for working with cosmeaceuticals not cosmetics, which there is a great difference.

My best advice is to go and see someone who knows the brand really well and get them to walk you through the range so that way you can see if their belief systems are going to cater to the needs of your skin. This may come at a price, depending on where you go. But trust me! Its so worth it!

Hope this was helpful :) xx
franallison
1 posts
I have oily combination skin and I use toner everyday. I find that it helps my skin feel more normal after cleansing

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