When to Use Face Toner for Maximum Skincare Benefits!

Are you unsure of when and how to use face toner for maximum benefit? You're in the right place!

Sure, those fancy face toners out there look like a nice luxury item to add to your daily skincare routine - but do they really make that much of a difference?

Well... if you use them correctly, then yes! In this post, we'll share with you our wisdom on the dos and don'ts of using a toner so you can maximize all its benefits. Your skin will thank you for it later.

Keep reading to learn more about all things face toner and when you should use it for all skin types!

What is Face Toner?

Toner is, simply put, a skin-care product used to cleanse and refresh the skin after cleansing.

It can often have added benefits such as hydration and exfoliation in addition to its main purpose of removing dirt and oils that may have been left behind from your regular cleanser. Toners come in both sprays or liquids that you apply to your face with a cotton ball or pad.

Most toners contain humectants like glycerin which help bind moisture into the skin's outer layer.

Toners also often include additional ingredients such as astringents like witch hazel and alcohol, anti-inflammatory compounds like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, antioxidants like vitamin C, antiseptics such as tea tree oil, or even exfoliators like alpha hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid or glycolic acid to help slough off dead skin cells.

Using toner on your face helps to shrink pores and balance out pH levels within the skin by restoring its natural acid mantle so it can better protect against bacteria while still maintaining hydration - leaving you with healthier looking complexion!

Not only does it effectively remove any leftover dirt just missed during washing but it also prepares your face for moisture afterwards - allowing products applied afterward to work more effectively for maximum absorption

So, now that you know what toner is, when should you tone. Follow these guidelines:

Tone After Cleansing

The most common and recommended time to use a toner is immediately after cleansing your face. Cleansing removes dirt, excess oil, and impurities from the skin, but it can also disrupt the skin's natural pH balance.

Applying toner after cleansing helps restore the pH level of the skin, ensuring it remains slightly acidic, which is important for maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

Gently patting toner onto your skin with a cotton pad or using your fingertips allows it to penetrate and deliver its benefits.

Tone Before Applying Serums and Treatments

Another optimal time to use toner is right before applying serums and treatments.

After toning, the skin is prepped and primed, creating a clean and slightly damp canvas that enhances the absorption of subsequent products.

By lightly dampening the skin with toner, you create an environment that allows serums and treatments to penetrate deeper and work more effectively.

This step maximizes the benefits of your targeted products, allowing them to address specific concerns like fine lines, hyperpigmentation, or acne.

Tone Before Moisturizing

Using toner before applying moisturizer is a common practice in skincare routines. After cleansing and toning, the skin is hydrated, balanced, and ready to receive moisture.

Applying toner first ensures that the moisturizer locks in the hydration provided by the toner, promoting a healthy and nourished complexion.

This step is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or dehydrated skin, as it helps prevent moisture loss and keeps the skin supple throughout the day or night.

Spritz Throughout the Day as a Refresher

In addition to its primary usage after cleansing, a hydrating toner can be used throughout the day as a quick refresher.

If your skin type tends to become oily or you're exposed to environmental factors like pollution or air conditioning, a spritz of toner can help rejuvenate and invigorate oily skin and even acne prone skin.

Simply misting toner over your face can provide a burst of hydration, soothe sensitive skin, and restore its balance. This on-the-go refreshment can be particularly useful during hot summer days or long hours spent in dry environments.

Tone After Removing Makeup

If you wear makeup, using toner after removing it can help ensure a clean and residue-free complexion.

Makeup removers and cleansers may leave behind traces of makeup or cleanser residue that can clog pores or irritate the skin.

Applying toner after makeup removal helps eliminate any remaining residue, refresh the skin, and restore its pH balance.

This step prepares the skin for your regular cleansing routine, allowing subsequent products to penetrate effectively.

Should You Tone Both Morning & Night?

The simple answer is yes, you should use a skin toner both in the morning and at night.

Using skin toner in the morning and evening is one of the simplest and most effective strategies for keeping your skin healthy.

In the morning, it helps to remove any remaining traces of dirt or oil that accumulated on our face overnight while we were sleeping, preparing our skin for whatever comes next in our skincare routine.

In the evening, toner serves as a way of removing all traces of makeup and any other product residue so that your skin can absorb everything you put on later since a clean slate is ideal.

Toners also allow topical products to further penetrate into deeper layers of your dermis; this increases their efficacy because it helps active ingredients reach where they are needed most, resulting in more powerful results from your moisturizers or anti-aging serums!

To get an even greater benefit from using toners twice daily, look for something specifically designed for each occasion. Try an exfoliating toner with AHA/BHA acids blended into its formula when used in the AM (to help stimulate cell turnover) and a hydrating mist containing calming essential oils at night (which helps prevent dry skin).

This allows you to customize your skincare ritual according to different needs throughout day and evening – ultimately leading to a healthier looking and feeling complexion!

Skincare influencer Iona Francis reveals her toner routine in this TikTok video:

Optimal Toner Timing for Optimal Results

Toner is a versatile and beneficial skincare product that can be used at various stages of your skincare routine.

From restoring pH balance after cleansing to preparing the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturizers, facial toner plays a crucial role.

Additionally, using toner as a refresher throughout the day or after removing makeup can help maintain a fresh and balanced complexion even if you have sensitive skin.

By incorporating toner into your skincare regimen, you can enhance the effectiveness of your other skincare products and achieve a healthier, radiant, and well-hydrated complexion.

We highly recommend you remember to include this step in your daily routine morning and night!