Toner, a necessary part of your skincare routine or not?

Toner is one of those products that many of us have in our cabinets, and maybe it’s even part of your daily routine. In fact, most people treat them as one of the most necessary parts of an ideal skincare routine. But you still might be asking yourself, what does toner do? Is it really a necessary beauty product in my skincare routine?

Here’s the scoop, let’s start from where it was born.

Toner in the Past

Toners were initially designed to get rid of soap scum from the face when lye-based soaps combined with hard water left an unpleasant residue on the face post cleansing. Signs you have hard water include having mineral deposit streaks on your dishes after washing them or buildup on your shower head.

Toner in the Present

Nowadays, few people use lye-based soaps and that water also got cleaner, with an array of options of gentle and low-pH facial cleansers available, the need for “double cleansing” is no longer necessary.

Besides, toners now are more sophisticated, where each formula is different and the role of toners have become more diverse, too such as: moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant or exfoliating purposes:

1. Alcohol-based astringent: often contains ingredients (e.g. alcohol, witch hazel) that are often labelled "tightening the skin" or to help reduce excess sebum production.

2. Acid-based toner: often contains exfoliating acids in light concentrations (e.g. glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid) which are often labelled purifying and brightening.

3. Water-based toner: often contains hydrating ingredients (e.g. glycerin, hyaluronic acids) and antioxidants that can help soothe and replenish hydration of the skin.

Why is toner not necessary in your skincare routine?

As water and oil are what the skin truly needs, giving the skin sufficient water-based and oil-based products will be enough to restore your face to its healthy state and allows it to function as it naturally does.

However, the high concentration of water in the formulation of toner impedes the possibility of adding a high amount of effective and active ingredients into it, to really provide skin what it needs or that it may not be enough to sustain the results.

When would be a good timing to use toner?

There are 2 circumstances that would make the application of toner a plus:

Apply right after cleansing:

Choose the toner that is alcohol-free with hydrating ingredients (e.g. hyaluronic acids) which can help optimize the stratum corneum of your skin to make it more efficacious for absorbing the sub subsequent skincare products, and also cutting down the amount of your water-based products (serum / moisturizer)

Seasonal Change & Stress:

When skin is feeling unstable or prone to sensitivity, toners that contain simple yet soothing ingredients (such as organic rosewater, aloe vera, cucumbers) may help calming down the irritated skin and make the subsequent skincare routine a smoother path. 

That being said, skincare can also be an important part of self-care and mental well-being, so if toner makes you feel good and really gives you that relaxing, spa-like experience, maybe there’s no need to chuck out your favorite product just yet. However, it is important to be familiar with the ingredient of the product before purchasing. 

Know More: Greenvines’ FAITH Formulation Standard

Know more the meaningful elective: Awakening Toner

A soothing toner like no other, the Know More Awakening Toner contains micro-molecule organic rosewater, olive leaf extract and hyaluronic acid that truly work and leave the skin feeling hydrated and rebalanced. No more distress and irritated skin.

Know more about Awakening Toner

In conclusion

So, is toner necessary? Technically, no. But the right one, when used under recommended situations, can definitely be a meaningful elective that help improve your skin.