AudreyNicole
Well-known member
I am looking to find a new skin care routine for my face, and realized that I really don't know what toner does
Can someone enlighten me please?
What does toner do for your face?
- Thread starter AudreyNicole
- Start date
pumpkincat210
Well-known member
From what I know.. toner shrinks up your pores and soothes your skin. You'll also may be a little less oily over time.
Wattage
Well-known member
I think the original purpose of toner was to tighten the skin through the application of alcohols. Alcohols are drying because they evaporate easily, taking water from the surface of the skin. When the skin is dry, it becomes tight (as we all know!).
As skin care has evolved, there are more toners that include many other ingredients without alcohol. I love my toner, but only use an alcohol free one. I hate the way they make my skin feel when they have alcohol. If you have even moderately dry skin or sensitive skin, I would encourage you to stay away from them. They actually make your skin oiler (in most cases) because they dry you out and your skin produces more oil to compensate for the loss.
Oil is there to protect your skin, so you dont want to get rid of all of it. The more you get rid of it, the more it will produce. I have suffered from bad acne my whole life and have been through every product and medication you can think of. I have finally controlled my skin extremely well in my adulthood by not being so mean to it. I remember I used to scrub my face in the shower with Clinque's 3 step system (the bar of soap and a face cloth). I just cringe thinking about it now. Then I would get out and wipe their alcohol laiden toner all over my face and try to compensate with the lack lustre Dramatically Different cream. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Now, I dont even use a face wash (unless I wear heavy makeup). I use Proactive's wash periodically (probably every 2nd day) and alternate with an at home microdermabraision kit. I use the proactive toner (which has a minute amount of alcohol). I moisturize very well and my skin has never been clearer.
I guess what I am trying to say is just be careful with your skin. I regret all the things I did because I thought I was supposed to do it. I thought I was supposed to scrub the livin daylights outta my skin because it would make my acne go away. I have premature wrinkles from all the creams, medications and drying things I used. I know alcohol based toners are not the only reason I have them, but it definitely contributed to my skin problem.
In all honesty, I really think the less you put on your skin, the more your skin will thank you for it.
HTH!
- sorry about the tangent!
As skin care has evolved, there are more toners that include many other ingredients without alcohol. I love my toner, but only use an alcohol free one. I hate the way they make my skin feel when they have alcohol. If you have even moderately dry skin or sensitive skin, I would encourage you to stay away from them. They actually make your skin oiler (in most cases) because they dry you out and your skin produces more oil to compensate for the loss.
Oil is there to protect your skin, so you dont want to get rid of all of it. The more you get rid of it, the more it will produce. I have suffered from bad acne my whole life and have been through every product and medication you can think of. I have finally controlled my skin extremely well in my adulthood by not being so mean to it. I remember I used to scrub my face in the shower with Clinque's 3 step system (the bar of soap and a face cloth). I just cringe thinking about it now. Then I would get out and wipe their alcohol laiden toner all over my face and try to compensate with the lack lustre Dramatically Different cream. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Now, I dont even use a face wash (unless I wear heavy makeup). I use Proactive's wash periodically (probably every 2nd day) and alternate with an at home microdermabraision kit. I use the proactive toner (which has a minute amount of alcohol). I moisturize very well and my skin has never been clearer.
I guess what I am trying to say is just be careful with your skin. I regret all the things I did because I thought I was supposed to do it. I thought I was supposed to scrub the livin daylights outta my skin because it would make my acne go away. I have premature wrinkles from all the creams, medications and drying things I used. I know alcohol based toners are not the only reason I have them, but it definitely contributed to my skin problem.
In all honesty, I really think the less you put on your skin, the more your skin will thank you for it.
HTH!
mspixieears
Well-known member
I agree with wattage above, toner with alcohol in it is probably not so good for your skin. I do use toner now, free of alcohol, and find it helps moisturiser sink in a bit better? They sort of calm the skin down a bit, and helps keep it less oily, at least in my case.
lovejam
Well-known member
I dunno... I used to use toner all the time, and it was fine, but ever since I started using a daily exfoliator, I find I don't really need toner. I think it would be an unnecessary extra step now.
See, it used to be that toner would keep my skin from getting bumpy or getting the occasional blemish, but my microfoliant has done a better job of it, so I've stopped using toner. I suppose I could try using the toner after exfoliation, but it doesn't seem necessary to me.
See, it used to be that toner would keep my skin from getting bumpy or getting the occasional blemish, but my microfoliant has done a better job of it, so I've stopped using toner. I suppose I could try using the toner after exfoliation, but it doesn't seem necessary to me.
d_flawless
Well-known member
for me, it makes my pores seem smaller since my skin is cleaner. it can make my skin feel "tight" but usually it doesn't make me too dry. if i'm breaking out, i'll use it, since it helps clear me up a little (i use some w/ salicylic acid), but usually i avoid it and just use moisturizer after cleansing
user3
New member
I agree with wattage and Pixie.
I use a micro spary water toner by DHC. Seems silly but helps to refresh my skin.
If you use a more harsh toner it can strip your skin. Typically people use it to feel clean and refreshed or treat a problem. Keep in mind if you use a toner to treat a problem like acne the toner is probably going to be harsh and should not be used everyday.
I use a micro spary water toner by DHC. Seems silly but helps to refresh my skin.
If you use a more harsh toner it can strip your skin. Typically people use it to feel clean and refreshed or treat a problem. Keep in mind if you use a toner to treat a problem like acne the toner is probably going to be harsh and should not be used everyday.
sunsational
Well-known member
i use neutrogena alcohol free toner
Treejewel19
Member
Quote:
Yeah same here. I used to use Oil of olay toner all the time. I love the feeling. However, I was recently told by a skin care expect/friend that toner is not necessary. So I stopped using it, why spend the money?
Originally Posted by lovejam
I dunno... I used to use toner all the time, and it was fine, but ever since I started using a daily exfoliator, I find I don't really need toner. I think it would be an unnecessary extra step now. See, it used to be that toner would keep my skin from getting bumpy or getting the occasional blemish, but my microfoliant has done a better job of it, so I've stopped using toner. I suppose I could try using the toner after exfoliation, but it doesn't seem necessary to me. |
Yeah same here. I used to use Oil of olay toner all the time. I love the feeling. However, I was recently told by a skin care expect/friend that toner is not necessary. So I stopped using it, why spend the money?
semtexgirl
Well-known member
I swear by Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner (blue bottle)....I used the formula containing alcohol when I was in my teens/early twenties but had to switch to the alcohol-free version a few years ago because my skin has become somewhat drier now that I'm almost 30. The alcohol-free formula is what I use right after I wash my face (morning and night). I'm really not sure if it makes my pores appear smaller. I just use it because it gently removes what my cleanser may have missed. If you have reallly dry skin or sensitive skin, however, you're better off skipping toner altogether.
lipshock
Well-known member
Quote:
I love the ProActiv toner! It's so good especially because it has Glycolic Acid in it. I use the ProActiv system, too! It's fantastic.
Other toners that I've tried and LOVED, LOVED:
(1) Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
(2) Nivea Moisturizing Alcohol-Free Toner (this is my favourite!)
Those are the only two that I would use against the ProActiv toner. Everything else just doesn't compare to those three.
| Originally Posted by mzreyes
I've always wondered what toner was for. haha! all I know, is that I use it because it's in my proactive set. And I love it
|
I love the ProActiv toner! It's so good especially because it has Glycolic Acid in it. I use the ProActiv system, too! It's fantastic.
Other toners that I've tried and LOVED, LOVED:
(1) Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner
(2) Nivea Moisturizing Alcohol-Free Toner (this is my favourite!)
Those are the only two that I would use against the ProActiv toner. Everything else just doesn't compare to those three.
xiahe
Well-known member
i heard toners with alcohol are good for oily skin. of course you don't want to get rid of ALL the oil in your skin because that'll just trigger more oil production which will lead to more breakouts. i use clinique's clarifying lotion #3 and personally my skin has look fantastic since i started using it! a lot of people don't like the clinique toner's because they have alcohol in them but personally i love mine...i replaced proactiv's toner with the clarifying lotion (but i still use proactiv's facial cleanser) and there's been a huge difference
yummy411
Well-known member
i felt that toner, removed some of the soap residue left behind by my facial wash and it soothed my skin (think the sprays fix+ etc from mac) toning the skin.
i love queen helene's non alcohol toner.. right now i'm using some left over neutrogena alcohol free toner in the blue bottle until i buy more queen helene.... my mother calls it women's after shave... not that we are shaving, but the soothing properties of after shave.. okay.. nevermind
i love queen helene's non alcohol toner.. right now i'm using some left over neutrogena alcohol free toner in the blue bottle until i buy more queen helene.... my mother calls it women's after shave... not that we are shaving, but the soothing properties of after shave.. okay.. nevermind
