Different Types Of Toners

What Is Toner?

To put it simply, toner looks like water and acts like water. But it's not water. It's packed with so much more than hydrogen and oxygen. Depending on the toner, it also can contain acids, glycerine, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories. 

If you want to talk science, a toner is a fast-penetrating liquid that delivers skin a quick hit of hydration and helps remove some dead skin cells off the surface of the skin. On a makeup related note, toner is like a primer for the rest of your skin-care routine likes serums and moisturizers. Toner preps your skin for make up, it brings your skin back to its natural acidic state, sweeping impurities away and helping your skin absorb your skincare products. Your skin is like dried-up sponge. If you put a thick cream on a brittle dry sponge, it won't accept it and isn't prepped for moisture. But if you wet the sponge the cream will sink in more easily.

Uses & Benefits Of The Different Types Of Toner

• Cleansing - A toner is used as a second step in the cleansing process, it helps remove any impurities and removes excess oil or excess dirt your cleanser may have missed.
• Hydration - Toners help to hydrate and replenish the skin. These types of toners can improve the appearance of dry and dull skin.
• pH Balancing - Some toners are used for adjusting the skin's pH.
• Soothing And Calming Effect - These types of toners contain ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile, which can help to sooth and calm the skin after exposure to the sun or other irritating factors.
• Skin Tightening - Facial toners with astringent properties can help to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and give the skin a more toned appearance.
• Exfoliation - Some toners contain fruit enzymes and acids derived from food, such as alpha hydroxy acid, which can help to exfoliate the skin and brighten the complexion.
• Anti-Inflammatory Benefits - Helping to prevent premature aging with ingredients such as Vitamin C & E by scavenging free radicals and environmental damage.
• Anti-Bacterial Properties - Toners help to fight acne- causing bacteria.
• Lastly, toners help prepare your skin for the next steps in your skincare routine. 

Types Of Toners

Now that we know all about the benefits of using a toner let's look at the different types of toners available on the market.

1. AHA/BHA Exfoliating Toners

Exfoliation toner primarily targets oily, combination, blemished skin. These toners contain chemicals that exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation toners contain various active ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acid ( glycolic acid and lactic acid), beta hydroxy acids ( salicylic acid ). These products help to minimize blemishes, acne, texture, and discoloration and promote a healthy, even skin tone and complexion.

2. Hydrating Toners 

Hydrating toners add moisture to dull skin. They contain humectants such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, urea, soy extra, etc+. These ingredients help to bind moisture to the skin and hydrate the skin. These toners are best suited for dry and sensitive skin or mature skin types.

3. Astringent Toners

Astringent toners are also known as toners for oily skin. They help to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup from the skin. They also help to tighten pores and give the skin mattifying effect. Astringent toners usually contain alcohol or other drying agents, such as witch hazel, which can help to control oil production. This type of toner is best suited for oily skin types and combination skin types.

4. Treatment Toners/ Toners With Skin- Restoring And Healing Properties

These types of toners are known as treatment or healing toners. These toners have the ingredients below.

• Antioxidants : e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Green tea.
• Anti-inflammatories : Soothing ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Chamomile. 
• Antibacterial : Such as tea Tree tea oil, Cinnamon.
• Skin Brighteners : Such as Kojic Acid, Arbutin, Niacinamide, Liquorice.

These toners help sooth and calm the skin while providing various benefits. This type of toners is best suited for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin types or irritated skin.

Toners Based On Skin Type?

Toners should be suitable for skin types; let's discuss the best types of toners for each skin type below.

1. Toner For Oily Skin Types

You should use astringent toner to remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup from your face. Astringent ingredients such as witch hazel help to mattify the skin, help control sebum production, and reduce the appearance of enlarged pores. Use AHA, e.g., glycolic acid toners, and BHA, such as salicylic acid toners, for exfoliation. Ingredients such as niacinamide also help with oil control, so don't be shy to grab a toner with this ingredient listed.

Suggested Brand: 

• mCaffeine BHA-2% Salicylic Acid 2in1 Toner
• Pilgrim Tea Tree & 2 % Niacinamide Face Toner
• COSRX BHA/AHA Clarifying Toner
• Plum Green Tea Alcohol Free Toner
• Rose Water

2. Toner For Acne Prone Skin

Look for a toner containing some active ingredients, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, and tea tree oil to help fight off acne. Salicylic acid will help exfoliate the clogged pores, while benzol peroxide and tea tree oil are antibacterial.

Suggested Brand:

• Re'equil Pore Refining Face Toner
• Plum 3% Niacinamide Alcohol-Free Toner With Rice Water
• Dot & Key Cica Calming Skin Clarifying Toner
• Minimalist PHA 3% Alcohol Free Face Toner
• Rose Water

3. Toners For Combination Skin

You should look for a hydrating facial toner that contains ingredients such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera. These ingredients will help to bind moisture to the skin and prevent dehydration. you may also want to use an astringent property to help control oil production and exfoliating toner to help remove dead skin cells and improve the appearance of the skin.

Suggested Brand:

• Bio Effect EGF Essence 
• Glow Pixi Toner
• Origins Balancing Toner
• Rose Water

4. Toners For Aging Skin

The best types of toner for anti-aging are hydrating toners, brightening, and toners with peptides and amino acids. For a hydrating toner, look for ingredients such as glycerine. It is a natural ingredients with humectant properties. It helps to keep the skin hydrated by drawing moisture from the atmosphere. Other humectant for extra hydration are hyaluronic acid and soy extract; Vitamin C will help brighten skin. AHAs for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Suggested Brand:

• Sephora Ultra Glow Toner With Vitamins C + E 
• L'Oreal Paris RevitaLift 
• Rose Water

5. Toner For Dry Skin Types

The best types of toners for dry skin are the moisturizing toners with high concentrations of water-attracting ingredients to treat dry skin problems, toners with ingredients like aloe vera or glycerine, hyaluronic acid or oils like jojoba oil or avocado oil. These ingredients help to replenish moisture in the skin, which can help to reduce the appearance of dryness, flakiness, and line lines or wrinkles. 

Suggested Brand:

• Minimalist Glycolic Acid Toner For Glowing Skin
• Dot & Key Hydrating Toner With Hyaluronic
• Pilgrim Alcohol Free Red Wine Face Mist/Toner
• Plum Vitamin C Toner 
• Mamaearth  Vitamin C Toner
• Rose Water

6. Toner For Normal Skin 

Look for alcohol-free, hydrating toners with ingredients such as glycerine or hyaluronic acid. Add toners with antioxidants to help protect the skin against environmental damage.

Suggested Brand:

• Kiko Milano
• Rose Water 
• Plum Vitamin C Toner
• Dot & Key Hydrating Toner With Hyaluronic

7. Toners For Sensitive Skin 

If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid toners with alcohol, it has a drying effect on the skin. You should also look for fragrance free and no harsh chemicals toners too. in addition, look for anti-irritant ingredients in your toners, such as green tea for calming and soothing effects.

Suggested Brand:

• Plum Green Tea Alcohol Free Toner
• Rose Water
• Kiko Milano 

How And When To Apply Face Toner?

Apply toner after cleansing but before moisturizing. Face toners can be applied with a cotton ball or pad or sprayed directly on the face. Be sure to follow the directions on the face toner bottle and avoid eye contact.