My understanding is that it closes the pores. A dermatologist told me that cold tap water splashed on the face was a good toner.

 

Is toning really that necessary?
I cleanse every day, exfoliate twice a week and moisturize every day, but what is the importance of toning? My skin has really improved since I've started just this basic routine, but i hear all the time about toning.

Can it be avoided?

Thanks

Do you mean, using a toner?

I don't think a toner is necessary.

When skin care started to boom, many years ago, toners were always included in a skin care system. People were told that the toner was necessary to help "rebalance" the skin after washing and "prepare it for the application of other products". Although this was true, to a degree - many cleansers are alkaline - it was more about using the toner to remove any reside from the cleanser that remained on the skin after rinsing. Cleansers then, were notorious for leaving reside; many today, still do.

Skin care companies did not always put enough emulsifiers, or water-soluble ingredients, in their cleansers, and the residue that was left on the skin, caused many problems, so toners became a skin care company's "insurance" that the products worked and never caused issue.

Today, with the increase in knowledge about skin health, and companies taking a serious interest in better formulations, there really is no need for a toner.

If the toner contains something specific for your skin care needs, or if you find that the average moisturizer and serum sold, feel too heavy on and you prefer the lighter feel of a toner to moisturize with (many with oily skin, prefer toners as their moisturizing form) then, you can surely, use a toner.

 

Yes i did mean the use of a toner.
Thanks for the replies. It just seemed a little unecessary after I was having such good results with basic cleansing and moisturising.

Thanks again.

 

I thought it was also good to use a ph 5.5 ish toner to reestablish the skins ph after washing?

 

A toner and a white cotton ball is a good way to check if your cleanser does what it's suppose too. Many cleansers really don't remove all makeup that well. Some need a second round to dissolve every thing depending on your makeup and finishing off with a toner leaves skin cleaner and fresher.

It's true what BirdLover says. Makeup a generation or three ago was very heavy oil based, (well there was different types available then too, it's wrong to generalize). Many modern makeup types are rather hard to get off too, like water resistant, and those who promise to stay in place all day no matter what. In the 1960's Elizabeth Arden's makeup remover was a big pink jar with a sort of petroleum jelly cream you massaged into your face. It did a really good job of dissolving makeup but you needed something extra to get it of the skin; a gentle dampened pink cotton velvet face cloth, and then a cotton ball dampened with a toner containing a slight amount of alcohol.

Today you still find this type of cleanser, almost exactly the same ingredients but they are liquified and come in a bottle. Many if not most of the cleansers for water resistant makeup are of this type, but more easily removable than the 1960's version. They are very gentle on the skin.

Erno Laszlo had a range of skin care products from the 1930's based on natural ingredients. He was a guru of his time and insisted on a careful soap and water ritual finished off with a toner. He was a dermatologist and had a kind of scientific approach to his skin care. He made a big point about the importance of correcting PH with a toner after cleansing. His approach to skin care lives on in many skin care lines today and for a good reason. He really knew what he was doing and it worked. His cleansing bars and toners are still available.

Today I suppose the toner is not considered that important. Cleansers you rinse with water comes off very easy these days and they are suppose to be skin's own PH. Many experts have the opinion that rinsing with water is enough whatever you use, PH is quickly normalised naturally by the skin. However many cleansing lotions and creams can with advantage get some help with a cotton ball and toner as a finishing touch. Just take a look at the cotton ball after !!!!!

 

Hi there,

I think that toning of the complexion is incredibly important.

Toning clarifies the skin to reveal smoother, naturally glowing complexions. It evens out the skin tone and leaves the skin looking healthy.

Refreshing your skin in this way really does improve the way it looks but always choose a toner that is free of alcohol,

Best wishes,

redrose

For a Complimentary Skin Care Report go to Health and Beauty Secrets to Make You 5, 10, 15... Even 20 Years Younger

 

Thanks for the replies

 

Hi i'm kinda new lol but I heard that toners also stabilizes the Ph in the skin which allows other products that are used after to work optimally.

 

Yes for instance vitamin C serum.

 

I know I found out ages ago that a toner was supposed to mop up any left over cleanser, and rebalance the skin, but my derm told me that the skin's ph adjusts automatically after washing within a short space of time so its unnecessary. However I do use Rosewater, simply as my mother used it, her mother and so on, and it really helps me to lift my spirits so its more of a psychological thing.

 

could i make my own toner by infusing some distilled water with essential oils?

 

Make your own rice toner! Its an ancient chinese practice asian women used to achieve that beautiful glowing skin they have. Its simple,fantastic for the skin and a total money saver.

Here's a youtube video explaining the simple process:
YouTube - Rice Water For Healthy Skin

 

My belief is, if your cleanser does what it's supposed to and is formulated at the right pH, you shouldn't need a toner. An exception would be if your toner has a specific purpose (contains an exfoliant, etc.) or if you're looking for a lighter moisturizer than your standard cream/lotion.