For years and years, toner has been the problem child of the skincare world. Old-school toners used to be those nasty astringent skin strippers loaded with alcohol, leaving your skin feeling dry, stinging, and dehydrated of its oils. Well, times have changed, and the toner of the present day has officially gotten a huge glow-up!

Instead of being a useless undertaking, your face toner actually is the ultimate prep squad for your skin. If you’ve been applying the toner with little thought or not at all, it’s time to utilize the full benefits of a much-needed hydration and absorption assist. This is how to get the most from your toner application.

Why Toner Should Be Included in Your Skincare Regimen

If you think of skin like a dry sponge, when you put thick and rich soap (your serum or moisturizer) on dry skin, it might just sit on the surface. However, if you dampen this dry sponge a bit, this rich soap would immediately absorb into it.

A face toner works on the same principle. Its primary roles are to:

Balance pH levels: Sometimes, in a state of being too alkaline, toner helps in balancing pH levels to their natural state.

Remove lingering impurities: It removes any microscopic dirt or makeup that the cleansing product may have left behind.

Prime for absorption: It calms the skin, enabling your skin to absorb deeper.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Proper Application

The key to getting the best out of your product is all about timing and proper technique. For a professional finish, follow these steps:

The 60-Second Rule

Use toner almost immediately after washing. Make sure that your skin is not bone-dry. Use toner within 60 seconds of patting your face dry with a towel.

Choose Your Delivery Method

There are two major means of application, and whether the “right” method is being followed depends on your goal:

The Cotton Pad Method: This method should be used if using an exfoliating toner or to ensure that dirt is completely removed from the face. This method should be used by sweeping the pad outward from the center of your face.

The ‘Press and Pat’ Method: Ideal for hydrating and soothing toners. It is effective in minimizing waste and preventing friction on the skin. All you have to do is rub it between your hands and pat it onto your face.

Don’t Forget the Neck

Your neck and décolletage are among the first areas to show the signs of aging. Despite this, your décolletage area is the most neglected. Try to extend the use of your toner to areas below the jaw line.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-exfoliating: If your toner has active acids, it is important that you do not use it twice daily, so start using it 3 times a week, especially if your toner contains active acids.

Rinsing it off: Toner is a ‘leave-on’ product. Just make sure it is fully absorbed before you proceed with using a serum.

Ignoring the Sting: A tingling is to be expected with certain acids, but a burn is a warning sign. If it hurts, wash it off, as you could already have a compromised lipid coating.

Conclusion

A face toner, when used properly, is not an additional step that’s unnecessary; rather, it’s an intermediary that brings clarity between washing and nurturing the skin. Using the right face toner and applying it to moistened skin will surely result in smoother skin, better hydration, and actually create a glow.