In a world of cleansers, serums, and moisturisers, is there still room for a toner? When it comes to shopping for skincare, toners tend to take a backseat. Many argue, that toner isn’t even essential for your skincare routine. But others suggest that the answer lies in finding the right toner for your skin type. We look at what a toner does for your skin and why experts still suggest it is essential in skincare.

What exactly is a toner?

When people think of toners, they imagine the outdated alcohol-based formulas that often led to dry or irritated skin. That’s simply not the case with new age toners!

A toner is a lightweight lotion or spray that is meant to be applied to the face after cleansing it. While historically toners have been known to be immensely drying, today they come in various forms and contain ingredients that are especially great for the skin.

The best part? As toners can enhance the skin’s surface and make it look fresh and more hydrated, they can be used across pretty much all skin types! You do need to shop intelligently and buy products based on what you want to address for instance acne, oily or sensitive skin.

What does a toner do for my skin?

You may think of toners as cleansers, but they are quite a bit more than just that! Toners come in various forms and are loaded with skin-enhancing ingredients that make a massive difference to your complexion.

The primary role of a toner is to replenish moisture after the skin has been cleansed. Buy a quality product and it will also prime your skin to better absorb the rest of the products that follow. Some toners also contain skin balancing ingredients such as salicylic acid and can help with acne and breakouts. Have sensitive skin? Steer clear of toners that contain salicylic acid and instead choose something that contains soothing and hydrating components.

What ingredients make a great toner?

Now that you are in the habit of reading labels, be careful about the toner that you buy. Ingredients such as cucumber, aloe or rose make great additions to any toner. For instance, Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater has a gentle and non-irritating formula that instantly soothes tight dehydrated skin and leaves it refreshed and comfortable.

As mentioned earlier, salicylic acid-based toners are especially useful for those that have oily or acne-prone skin. The Shiseido Eau De Carmin De Luxe Toner contains mattifying powders to remove oil and shine. It comes blended with zinc gluconate that is great at eliminating excess sebum as well as salicylic acid to unclog pores.

If you have dull skin or want to address large pores, seek toners that contain AHAs such as Glycolic or Lactic Acid that help exfoliate dead cells and brighten up the skin. The CosMedix Purity Balance Exfoliating Prep Toner is a hydrating tonic that contains lactic acid and salicylic acid and provides respite for oily or sun-damaged skin.

Should you want to address ageing skin instead, opt for toners that contain antioxidants and hydrating formulas such as Hyaluronic Acid. The highly coveted SK II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion features a lightweight and watery texture that penetrates into the skin surface. Formulated with AHA and proprietory Pitera, it exfoliates dead skin cells and impurities to prepare the skin for the rest of your skincare regimen.

What to avoid when buying a toner?

Alcohol in a toner is worth losing entirely! Aside from that anything that can flare up your skin such as menthol or artificial fragrances should be ideally avoided. The chances of your skin reacting to synthetic fragrances are high, especially if you have sensitive skin. For those with dry skin should look for formulas that contain hydrating properties and act as soothers, not irritants. If you are still wondering what toner to use on your skin type, start from the lowest irritating option – those that are clearly formulated and labelled as suited to sensitive skin. Once you work your way through different ingredients, you will be able to experiment and adapt to stronger formulas. Either way, a toner will only enhance your skincare routine!