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Ah, the great facial toner controversy! Is it a pointless, unnecessary step in elaborate skincare routines — or the secret to flawless skin?
The answer might surprise you. Read on to find out how this great beauty debate was settled once and for all.
Traditionally, toners were astringent products formulated to remove excess oil from skin. They were particularly useful for people who had acne, but often contained high concentrations of alcohol and could be drying.
These days, there’s a new generation of toners that still remove oil and dirt, but they’re also meant to nourish and replenish freshly cleansed skin. Bonus: they also act as a primer for serums, moisturizers, and the rest of your skincare products.
Made with a variety of brightening, hydrating, and anti-aging ingredients, today’s toners are very different from their traditional counterparts.
When choosing the right face toner, your best bet is to steer clear of formulas with harsh ingredients that can irritate your skin or cause existing issues to flare up. Here’s a short list of ingredients to avoid:
Skip any personal care products with alcohol as a main ingredient. While alcohol can give products a quick-drying finish and feel weightless on skin, the long term consequences aren’t pretty. Alcohol can have a serious drying effect and it depletes vital substances needed for healthy skin.
There is one exception here: hand sanitizers. These products require at least 60% alcohol (ethanol) to kill illness-causing viruses and germs. Soap and water is preferred when possible, but when it’s not, hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
The term “fragrance” is often used on product labels to represent an undisclosed mixture of various scent chemicals and ingredients. This is a problem, since it doesn’t actually tell you what’s in the product.
Another problem: fragrance formulas have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential negative effects on the reproductive system.
Steer clear of products with high amounts of “fragrance,” “parfum” or “perfume” on the ingredient list. There are many amazing natural ingredients for skin that smell great (think rose, cucumber, shea butter).
Phthalates are low-cost preservatives that are generally used to extend shelf life and help ingredients penetrate the skin. The problem? These chemicals have been linked to obesity, infertility, reduced sperm count, reproductive malformation, breast cancer, and cardiovascular events. If you are using a product with fragrance, do make sure the fragrance is phthalate-free.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural toners for face care that are ideal for a radiant, refreshed look — without the toxins.
Years ago, toners were limited to treating acne and oily skin. Those products contained high concentrations of alcohol and developed a bad rap as being too astringent, overly drying, and generally unnecessary.
These days, the purpose of facial toners is very different. There are toners on the market to help address almost any skin concern, whether you’re dealing with oil, wrinkles, dark spots, or even dryness.
The benefits of toner are vast, but it’s all about finding the right one for your skin type and skincare concerns. Here are some top natural toner ingredients to look out for:
Most facial toners are designed to work by removing oil and dirt to minimize the appearance of pores. Skin is temporarily tightened to create a smoother overall appearance, leaving skin refreshed and perfectly prepped for the rest of your skincare routine.
How to Use Toner:
Botanical beauty buffs, listen up: the benefits of toner can make a significant difference in how your skin looks and feels. Plus, adding a facial toner to your daily routine is quick, easy, and affordable.
It might not have as much clout as a cleanser or moisturizer (yet!), but facial toner has proven staying power when it comes to skincare — and it could be the one product standing between you and clear skin.
So what does face toner do, exactly? Here are 10 reasons it can bring your skincare game to the next level:
1. SHRINKS PORES: Facial toner helps minimize the appearance of pores for a smoother, more even complexion. By unclogging pores to remove dead skin cells, dirt, makeup, and excess oil, toner leaves skin looking smooth, soft, and clear.
If you’re looking to add a natural facial toner to your routine, check out our lineup of natural toners for face! And stay tuned to our Botanical Blog for the latest on non-toxic ingredients and clean skincare trends.
