Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It DoesIngredients and FormulationsIn Skin Care RoutinesHair Toners Are Different
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Does
Ingredients and Formulations
In Skin Care Routines
Hair Toners Are Different
Understanding the role of toners can be confusing. Questions often arise about what toners are, why they’re important, and the best methods for applying them.
This article will explain the role of facial toners, including how toner ingredients can help enhance the skin’s appearance.
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What a Good Facial Toner Does
Facial toner is a liquid skin care product applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. Quality facial toners are absorbed quickly and leave behind no greasy residue.
It is a good idea to speak to a healthcare provider such as a skin specialist (dermatologist) to determine the best skin care products for your skin. The primary function of facial toners depends on the formulation but generally include:
The benefits will depend on the ingredients in the toner, such as hyaluronic acid for hydration, witch hazel for astringent properties, orsalicylic acidfor acne-prone skin.
Toner Ingredients and Formulations
Facial toners can contain various ingredients, and formulations are often tailored to address specific skin concerns.Common ingredients and formulations found in toners include the following:
Hydrating Ingredients
Astringents and Pore Minimizers
Exfoliants
Antioxidants
Formulations can be alcohol-free, suitable for sensitive skin, or may contain a small percentage of alcohol for those with oilier skin types. Talk to your dermatologist to determine the optimal toner for your skin.
Toner Application Order in Skin Care Routine
The order in which products are applied in a skin care routine is key. This is true of toner, which is applied after thoroughly cleansing the face.
Here’s how it can fit into a daily regimen:
How to Use Facial Toner
An effective technique for applying toner involves saturating a cotton pad or ball with the product, then delicately sweeping it across the face, neck, and chest. For optimal results, perform this step immediately after washing your face and before proceeding with other skin care products.
What About Hair Toners?
Hair toners and face toners serve very distinct purposes and cater to different areas of the body. When applied to the face after cleansing, face toners may help to balance the skin’s pH, remove residual makeup or residual impurities, and prepare the skin to better absorb subsequent skincare products.
A hair toner, on the other hand, is primarily used in hair care to adjust or neutralize the undertones in bleached or colored hair. It helps achieve a certain hair color or tone and counteracts brassiness. Hair toners often contain ingredients that target the hair’s pigments, such as violet or blue dyes to counteract yellow or orange tones.
Summary
A facial toner is a liquid skin care product applied after cleansing and before moisturizing. It can have many benefits, such as restoring the skin’s pH balance, removing residual impurities, and prepping the skin for better absorption of subsequent skincare products. Specific benefits depend on the ingredients in the toner. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the right toner ingredients that are right for your skin type and condition.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anurukvorakun O, Numnim S.Development and clinical efficacy evaluation of facial toner containing houttuynia cordata thunb. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5):133. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics10050133Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth & George Karakiulakis (2012)Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology, 4:3, 253-258, DOI: 10.4161/derm.21923J.W. Fluhr, R. Darlenski, C. Surber,Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions, British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 159, Issue 1, 1 July 2008, Pages 23–34, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643Liu X, Goldberg J, Senna M, Chun Wang EH, Gosto S, Zheng Q. 42138.Effect of a novel witch hazel formula on skin barrier health. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(3):AB153. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.07.614Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A.A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatology. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.xWiegmann D, Haddad L.Two is better than one: The combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid on acne‐related disorders. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(9):2349-2351. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13387Algiert-Zielińska B, Mucha P, Rotsztejn H.Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds.Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(3):374-379. doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14202Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ.Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1.Gianeti MD, Mercurio DG, Maia Campos PMBG.The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: Not only an antioxidant active ingredient: The use of green tea extract in cosmetics. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(3):267-271. doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2013.01552.xGehring W.Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.xNorthwestern Medicine.Do you really need a skin care routine?Gunderson Health System.Why you should add toner to your skincare routine.Magtiza A. Hair colour for hairstylists.Formulating the toner. February 19, 2021.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Anurukvorakun O, Numnim S.Development and clinical efficacy evaluation of facial toner containing houttuynia cordata thunb. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5):133. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics10050133Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth & George Karakiulakis (2012)Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology, 4:3, 253-258, DOI: 10.4161/derm.21923J.W. Fluhr, R. Darlenski, C. Surber,Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions, British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 159, Issue 1, 1 July 2008, Pages 23–34, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643Liu X, Goldberg J, Senna M, Chun Wang EH, Gosto S, Zheng Q. 42138.Effect of a novel witch hazel formula on skin barrier health. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(3):AB153. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.07.614Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A.A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatology. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.xWiegmann D, Haddad L.Two is better than one: The combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid on acne‐related disorders. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(9):2349-2351. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13387Algiert-Zielińska B, Mucha P, Rotsztejn H.Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds.Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(3):374-379. doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14202Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ.Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1.Gianeti MD, Mercurio DG, Maia Campos PMBG.The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: Not only an antioxidant active ingredient: The use of green tea extract in cosmetics. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(3):267-271. doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2013.01552.xGehring W.Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.xNorthwestern Medicine.Do you really need a skin care routine?Gunderson Health System.Why you should add toner to your skincare routine.Magtiza A. Hair colour for hairstylists.Formulating the toner. February 19, 2021.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Anurukvorakun O, Numnim S.Development and clinical efficacy evaluation of facial toner containing houttuynia cordata thunb. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5):133. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics10050133Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth & George Karakiulakis (2012)Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology, 4:3, 253-258, DOI: 10.4161/derm.21923J.W. Fluhr, R. Darlenski, C. Surber,Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions, British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 159, Issue 1, 1 July 2008, Pages 23–34, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643Liu X, Goldberg J, Senna M, Chun Wang EH, Gosto S, Zheng Q. 42138.Effect of a novel witch hazel formula on skin barrier health. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(3):AB153. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.07.614Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A.A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatology. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.xWiegmann D, Haddad L.Two is better than one: The combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid on acne‐related disorders. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(9):2349-2351. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13387Algiert-Zielińska B, Mucha P, Rotsztejn H.Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds.Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(3):374-379. doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14202Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ.Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1.Gianeti MD, Mercurio DG, Maia Campos PMBG.The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: Not only an antioxidant active ingredient: The use of green tea extract in cosmetics. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(3):267-271. doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2013.01552.xGehring W.Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.xNorthwestern Medicine.Do you really need a skin care routine?Gunderson Health System.Why you should add toner to your skincare routine.Magtiza A. Hair colour for hairstylists.Formulating the toner. February 19, 2021.
Anurukvorakun O, Numnim S.Development and clinical efficacy evaluation of facial toner containing houttuynia cordata thunb. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5):133. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics10050133
Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth & George Karakiulakis (2012)Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology, 4:3, 253-258, DOI: 10.4161/derm.21923
J.W. Fluhr, R. Darlenski, C. Surber,Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions, British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 159, Issue 1, 1 July 2008, Pages 23–34, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08643
Liu X, Goldberg J, Senna M, Chun Wang EH, Gosto S, Zheng Q. 42138.Effect of a novel witch hazel formula on skin barrier health. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2023;89(3):AB153. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2023.07.614
Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Bagherani N, Kazerouni A.A review of applications of tea tree oil in dermatology. Int J Dermatology. 2013;52(7):784-790. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05654.x
Wiegmann D, Haddad L.Two is better than one: The combined effects of glycolic acid and salicylic acid on acne‐related disorders. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(9):2349-2351. doi.org/10.1111/jocd.13387
Algiert-Zielińska B, Mucha P, Rotsztejn H.Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds.Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(3):374-379. doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14202
Al-Niaimi F, Chiang NYZ.Topical vitamin C and the skin: Mechanisms of action and clinical applications. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017 Jul;10(7):14-17. Epub 2017 Jul 1.
Gianeti MD, Mercurio DG, Maia Campos PMBG.The use of green tea extract in cosmetic formulations: Not only an antioxidant active ingredient: The use of green tea extract in cosmetics. Dermatol Ther. 2013;26(3):267-271. doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2013.01552.x
Gehring W.Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x
Northwestern Medicine.Do you really need a skin care routine?
Gunderson Health System.Why you should add toner to your skincare routine.
Magtiza A. Hair colour for hairstylists.Formulating the toner. February 19, 2021.
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