Over the past few years, skincare routines have been the talk of the beauty world. With the advent of new ingredients, technologies, and innovation, beauty enthusiasts are always on the lookout for the most effective products to incorporate into their routines. One such product that has sparked a lot of interest lately is the toner. While some may argue that it is an unnecessary addition to their skincare routine, there are many benefits to using a toner that everyone should know about. In this article, we will be discussing the benefits of using a toner in your skincare routine.
To begin with, toners help in restoring the skin’s natural pH balance. Our skin’s pH scale is naturally slightly acidic (from 4.5 to 5.5), which helps maintain a healthy skin barrier and prevents bacteria and viruses from penetrating into the skin. However, some cleansers on the market, particularly those high in surfactant, can mess with that balance by making the skin overly alkaline, which can cause dryness and irritation. Toners can help by lowering the skin’s pH level and restoring it to its natural state. This helps the skin to remain healthy and hydrated.
Another benefit of using a toner is that it helps reduce the appearance of pores. Many toners contain ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that exfoliate the skin and remove any excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that are clogging the pores. This will lead to smaller-looking pores and more even skin tone.
Additionally, toners can help you improve skin texture. By removing excess oil and dead skin cells, toners leave skin smoother and glowing. Moreover, certain toners contain antioxidants, which help protect the skin from environmental stressors that cause premature aging such as pollution, UV and blue light. Antioxidants such as vitamin C also help brighten the skin giving it a radiant glow.
When it comes to hydration, toners are an excellent addition to your skincare routine. Unlike some traditionally balanced, alcohol-based toners that leave the skin feeling “tight” and dry like a shine-reducing liquid astringent, new generation toners contain humectants (ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, urea) to help retain moisture levels in the skin. By hydrating the skin, it helps deliver and retain key skincare actives such as serums and moisturizers in the skin, so they can work more efficiently.
Lastly, toners can help prep the skin for better absorption of other skincare products. This is because when the skin is hydrated and exfoliated, it’s better able to absorb active ingredients in other skincare products, such as serums and moisturizers. Essentially, the toner helps increase the permeability of the skin so that any other products you apply afterward work more effectively.
In conclusion, toners have a lot to offer in terms of skincare benefits. From restoring the skin’s pH balance to reducing the appearance of pores, improving skin texture, hydrating, protecting from damage to helping with the absorption of other skincare products, toners are an excellent addition to any skincare routine. So if you aren’t already using one, consider adding a toner to your daily skincare regimen and start reaping the benefits today.
