To Tone or Not to Tone

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There has been a long-standing debate in the skincare industry for years: To tone or not to tone… that is the question!! Some professionals swear by this protocol while others claim it is a waste of money. Let's examine who could benefit from a toner and who might skip this step in their skin care regimen.

In the past toners were very astringent, alcohol based products used to remove the heavy film left on the skin after using a cold cream to "cleanse" the skin. If you didn't remove the remaining cleanser product, your skin would feel very greasy and there would be a fair amount of makeup still on the skin. Years ago there were not many options for different skin types or conditions. Today it is very different and currently there are a myriad of toners for every skin type and every budget. Cleansers are often pH balanced and don't leave that greasy film on the skin.

Today, toners often add an element of treatment rather than finishing the cleansing process. If you have healthy, normal skin you are welcome to skip the toner. But you might be skipping an opportunity to add essential moisture or extra antioxidants to boost your skin health.

Those with combination skin, oily skin, acne prone skin, or dehydrated/dry skin will benefit greatly from a toner. This step will ensure that the cleansing process is complete, and add active ingredients that treat acne, minimize fine lines and wrinkles and supply topical hydration to the skin.

We recommend using an alcohol free toner so that the pH of the skin is not irritated. Alcohol based toners tend to strip the skin and as a result the skin produces a sudden rush of oil to restore better balance. This creates a vicious cycle of feeling oily, using an excessively strong toner, and then feeling the need to remove the surge of oil production with more toner. Focus on gentle products that can be used once or twice a day for maximum benefit. Look for a toner that fits your skin type and condition- not a "one size fits all" product.

Here are some popular toners and a guideline of who would benefit from their use:

    1. Oily and acne prone skin will love Murad Clarifying Toner. This witch hazel based formula will soothe the skin and leave it fresh and clean.
    2. Dermalogica All Over Clear treats acne with .5% Salicylic Acid while controlling shine and reducing inflammation.
    3. Dry/Dehydrated skin that wants a boost of hydration will be pampered by TRUE Essential Soothing Tonic. It contains Sodium Hyaluronate which binds 1000 times its own weight in moisture (and it smells great!).
    4. If you have sensitive skin, it doesn't get gentler than Phytomer Rose Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion.
    5. If you are looking for a boost to your anti-aging regimen, then check out HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Brightening Toner which stimulates cell regeneration, triggers collagen formation and uses Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline) to inhibit muscle contractions that cause wrinkle formation - WOW!
    6. Combination skin will love the balancing boost of antioxidants from Obagi C Rx System C- Balancing Toner. Healthy skin is beautiful skin.