Skin Toner

Do you want your skin to look fresh, healthy, and ready to absorb the maximum from other products? Choose the right skin toner!

Face toner: What exactly is it?

Face toner (or skin toner) is a light fluid used right after skin cleansing. It tones and helps cleanse skin, balances pH, refreshes skin and prepares it for other steps such as serum or face cream. Some toners can soothe, hydrate, tighten pores or fight against acne. It just depends on what your skin needs at the moment.

What does skin toning mean?

Toning is a step which restores your skin's balance after cleaning. Washing can disrupt it – especially if you use tap water which tends to be hard. A toner balances skin's pH, soothes it after cleansing and enriches it with the effects of the contained active ingredients.

Choose the best face toner

There is not a single best toner for all people. It depends on what your skin is struggling with at the moment.

The best toner for your skin according to its intended use

What effects are you looking for?

• A hydrating toner restores moisture to your skin, leaving it soft and supple. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or glycerine are amazing.
• A purifying toner for acne and blackheads has antibacterial effects and tightens pores. Look for ingredients such as salicylic acid and tea tree oil.
• An brightening toner gives skin a healthy glow and balances its tone. It often contains vitamin C, AHA acids or liquorice extracts.
• An exfoliating toner helps remove dead skin cells and improves skin’s texture. The most effective ingredients include glycolic acid, lactic acid or mandelic acid.

The best toner by skin type

Every skin type needs something a little different, and that applies to toners too.

• A toner for oily skin regulates sebum production, tightens pores and refreshes skin.
• A toner for dry skin hydrates, soothes and restores skin's protective film.
• A toner for combination skin balances oilier and drier zones without dehydrating or clogging.
• A toner for problematic skin has anti-inflammatory effects, soothes redness and helps with imperfections.
• A toner for sensitive skin is gentle and free of alcohol and perfumes – ideally with aloe vera or chamomile. Sometimes , though, it can be beneficial for sensitive skin if you stop using a toner altogether.

If you have normal skin, choose a face toner according to the desired result – hydration, brightening or reducing pigment spots. If you have sensitive skin, feel free to leave face toners alone altogether. Unlike cleansing, creams and SPF, they aren't absolutely indispensable in skincare.

The best face toner by ingredients

For oily and problematic skin, a toner with salicylic acid which cleans pores and helps against blemishes is popular. If you prefer natural cosmetics, you will definitely enjoy a natural toner with extracts from herbs, flowers or fruit. Always choose a face toner without alcohol (alcohol denat). It used to be a common ingredient, but today we know that it dehydrates unnecessarily, and often does more harm than good.

How to use toner properly?

Use a face toner in the morning and evening (or just in the evening) after skin cleansing. Apply it to a cotton pad, and pat it gently into your face. Do not rinse. Let it be absorbed for a few moments, and continue with serum, cream, and in the morning SPF.

Face toner: Frequently asked questions

Why use a face toner?

Because it completes skin cleaning, refreshes, balances pH and prepares skin for more products.

What's the difference between a skin toner and a face toner?

A face toner is intended more for cleansing, a skin toner nourishes. In practice, though, the differences are very subtle.

What's the difference between a serum and a toner?

A toner prepares skin, a serum is highly concentrated and targets a specific problem – for example wrinkles, pigmentation or dehydration.

What's the difference between micellar water and a toner?

Micellar water is intended more for cleansing. It removes make-up and impurities well. A toner is used afterwards – for soothing and toning.