Your skin care routine is personal and somewhat ritualistic. It’s a daily chance to care for yourself — and your skin — in a calming, soothing way. That said, the skin care products you choose are majorly important, especially for your skin’s overall health.
Some skin care products are a given in any routine, like cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. Any products branching outside these core steps may seem unnecessary. Arguably, the first to go when eliminating skin care steps (and products) is usually toner — but should it be?
Toner is an oft-misunderstood skin care product that may seem like a waste of money. While creams and serums can feel luxurious, toner often feels like water. And why pay for fancy water when you get it from the tap?
Well, toner’s a lot more than just a refreshing spritz after cleansing. If you aren’t a believer in toner, you may want to rethink your stance, and here’s why.
Dermatologist and Sajic Skin Science founder Dr. Dusan Sajic has noticed the recent questioning of toners, saying many dermatologists and customers have begun viewing toners as “superfluous or even harmful.”
“The fear is that toners might strip the skin or cause dryness. This largely stems from their historical use in counteracting highly alkaline, drying cleansers,” Dr. Sajic says, referring to those alcohol-based products of the past. “Toners were but one part of an antiquated multi-cream system. Modern cleansers, however, are formulated to be gentle and balanced while many all-in-one or multi-purpose products have integrated most common toners into the product — without using the word toner — thus diminishing the perceived need for toners.”
Reframing your idea concept of toners — from counteracting agents to ingredient-rich tonics — may shift your perception of the product’s overall value in your skin care routine.
Dr. Sajic says, “The term toner has a much wider definition and can be used for any product that freshens, softens, balances the skin or act as a skin freshener, tonic, balancer or even adaptogen.”
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