Did you know the skin is the largest body organ? Yes, body organs don’t have to be on the inside only. Adults have approximately 3.8 kilograms of skin, almost 22 square feet! These days, skincare routines are done by both men and women because taking care of one’s skin is not a gender-based activity.
The perfect skincare routine is usually the simplest. You don’t need a ton of products to apply to your skin. If you cleanse, tone, and moisturize, you’ve done more than enough to nourish and enrich your skin.
Cleansing your skin allows you to get all the grime and dirt out. This includes sweat and dead skin, which clog your pores and may lead to pimples. The next step is toning. You need a proper toner that will help balance your skin’s pH. Toners come in various types depending on factors such as skin type and what ingredients they contain.
Lastly, moisturizing keeps your skin hydrated and supple. It’s the most crucial step of your routine so take extra precaution with the products you use.
Why And How To Use A Face Toner?
Our focus today lies in the second step of your regimen— toning. Having a great face toner is essential for our skincare routine. A toner can do a lot of things apart from the ones listed above. Some of which are:
- Prevent skin inflammation and redness.
- Get rid of blemishes.
- Rid your face from bacteria and dirt.
- Repairing damaged skin.
- Prevents the occurrence of breakouts.
Using a skin toner is pretty straightforward. Simply pat your face dry with a clean towel after exfoliating with an appropriate cleanser such as Lotion P50. Dab a cotton ball or pad in your alcohol-free toner, and apply it to your face.
Apply a little bit of pressure, so the tonner gets deep in your pores. Let it dry, then proceed with the rest of your skincare routine.
But how do you choose what toner to use on your face? Well, below are a couple of tips you could employ when selecting a toner.
Choose a Toner That Matches Your Skin Type
When seeking out any skincare product, knowing your skin type will help you make an informed decision. You don’t want to be buying an incompatible skincare product. That will be a waste of money and time, especially when you realize it’s not working for your skin because it wasn’t meant for it.
Finding out if you have normal, oily, dry, or sensitive skin is the first step of your journey towards improving your skincare routine. If you have oily skin, you’re in luck. It can handle almost all types of skincare products, but for sensitive skin, taking that risk could mean a worse skin reaction than what you were remedying it for.
There are many toners available in the market, and you can easily find one that suits your skin type. The various skin types out there include:
- Dry Skin – People with dry skin have tiny pores, and their skin feels rough and tight. In cold temperatures, their skin may get flaky and dry, and they often experience peeling, redness, and dry patches.
- Normal skin – People with this skin type have the perfect balance of dry and oily skin. They rarely experience any changes in their skin, and it feels clean and smooth.
- Oily skin – This skin often feels moist, greasy, and coarse. It’s more prone to acne and breakouts than any other type of skin. Most people have oily skin. It tends to shine, especially during midday.
- Sensitive skin – This skin type gets easily irritated. It’s prone to reactions with the wrong kind of products. It may feel dry and rough sometimes, especially during the night or noon.
- Combination skin – This skin type is neither dry nor oily. It’s a mixture of both, with some of your areas being oily (usually the T-zone area) while the rest of your face remains dry.
Keep an Eye on the Expiry Date and Active Ingredients
Having an idea of the type of ingredients your skin agrees with will allow you to select the best toner for it. Please read the label of the skincare product you plan to buy and check for the active ingredients it contains. Typically, all the ingredients are listed in descending order of their concentration.
As a general rule, the first five ingredients should be what you look out for, as they account for 80% of the entire mixture. Ensure the ingredients you want are in this top five category.
Also, when scanning the active ingredients, have a glance at the expiry date. Different products have different shelf lives. Some last for 12 months, while others go up to 36 months after you open them up. It would be a shame if you bought a toner that would expire in a couple of months.
Don’t Jump On The Bandwagon
Skincare influencers may easily affect your toner purchase, even if that product doesn’t suit your skin type. Don’t get easily carried away by obnoxious reviews and biased recommendations meant for the masses.
Instead, only do what is best for skin by selecting products that work for it and not going with trends. That’s the only way you’ll get optimum results from the toner you choose.
Steer Clear from Harmful Ingredients
You already know what ingredients work best for your skin and what product ingredients to look for in your skincare products. But what about those that should be anywhere close to your skin, or face for that matter?
Well, for starters, avoid ingredients such as formaldehyde, paraben, fragrance, and sulfate. The list is endless, but if a product has some of the ones listed above, go the other way —literally.
Don’t Purchase a Product without a Patch Test First
When you’re buying your toner from the store, you must do a patch test first. Don’t compromise on the patch test because it will give you a rough idea if the product is effective. If it clogs up your pores or irritates your skin, the product is not for you— easy as that.
You could apply a little bit of it on the backside of your hand as a patch test and have a feel.
Conclusion
Getting healthy skin is a process of trials and errors. It requires patience before you start seeing any quantifiable results. Do your research before starting a skin product, and be sure to consult your dermatologist for guidance.