When recommending an at home skin care regimen to clients they often question is a toner really a necessary step...well indeed it is! So, what does a toner really do? First and foremost if you can find a toner that is designed to keep your skin at a neutral pH or pH balanced which is roughly 5.5 this will ensure your skin is functioning the best it can, retaining its moisture and being protected from microorganisms and environmental pollutants that could cause irritation, possibly infection and even kick start the aging process! Second, toners are a wonderful way to get water back into the skin. We all have a specific balance of oil and water in our cells depending on our skin types...every skin type will benefit from more water. Skin that is well hydrated looks plumper, fine lines and wrinkles will be less apparent and the skin will have that wonderful "dewy healthy glow". Third, and the most unknown but most useful fact about toners is they help prepare the skin for the next phase of your regimen. Visualize your skin layers are like a sponge, when a sponge is dry it is unable to effectively absorb anything but if you moisten the sponge and "bring it to life" it can absorb things more efficiently...this concept translates to your skin. If you apply a product like a serum or moisturizer to skin that has been treated with a toner first the skin cells in all 7 layers of your skin are "awake' and can absorb the ingredients to the maximum giving you the best results...good for your skin and your wallet! Toners are also great to set make up and quickly refresh your look if you are in a rush.
Now how do you make a choice for which one may be best for you: this all depends on your skin type and its needs(if you are unsure of your skin type it is a great idea to book a facial treatment). Typically skin that is dry(lacking oil) and/or dehydrated(lacking water) will benefit from toners that are Alcohol free, based in water, Aloe Vera or Witch Hazel with other active ingredients like Latic Acid, Cucumber and Rose. If the skin tends to be more combination, oily and/or acne prone look for a toner based in Alcohol(pharmaceutical grade) Tea Tree, Peppermint, Lemon Balm or any fruit acids, this is will eliminate excess oil production and calm the over productive oil glands.
There is no wrong or right way to "use" a toner in terms of application. I like to both apply it to an cotton round a swipe over my face and neck as well as spritz it all around! I will say this if you are someone who is has chronic acne and the skin is in a state of being open and exposed avoid swiping the cotton over the open skin to spread bacteria use more of a patting technique.
Here are some of my beloved facial toners and tonics:
http://www.skin-one.com/norskinlotno.html
http://www.qoriintiherbals.bigcartel.com/product/vetivert-shamanic-hydrosol
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=319507&catid=185625&aid=338666&aparam=319507
http://www.bkamins.com/en/kits.aspx
http://isunskincare.com ***really love all the toners she offers***
http://www.pangeaorganics.com
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