To get the most transformative skincare regimen, you need to use the right products at the right times. So when you have all your products lined up on your shelf, are toners part of the picture? According to Dr. Schultz, they should be. That’s because toners are both essential to get the best results from your other skincare products, and they’re easy to take with you on the go. Knowing when to use a toner at three pivotal points in your day will help you maintain the fresh, glowing skin you want all day long.
Use a Toner After Cleansing
Using a toner after cleansing is essential for fully and completely cleansing your skin. From decades of helping 100,000+ patients how to cleanse correctly, Dr. Schultz says, “I recommend using both a cleanser and toner to get the maximum synergy of removal of dirt, oil, sweat, dead cells and debris, without irritation.” To get the best results out of your other products and even your makeup, you need a completely clear surface on your skin. If a cleanser was strong enough to remove all of the dirt itself, it would be irritating to your skin. So using a toner helps pick up whatever your cleanser missed, as well as remnants of the cleanser itself. It’s a complete refresh, making your skin feel softer and helping it to absorb other products better (which makes those products work even more effectively). Toner makes sure your skin is free and clear of any pore-clogging dirt and debris that could get in the way of your flawless skin.
Use a Toner to Refresh Midday
Another essential time to use toner is whenever you need to freshen up. Taking a break to refresh your skin midday might seem cumbersome, but using toner is quick, easy, and doesn’t require a sink. Simply throw your toner and some makeup remover pads in your bag. Dr. Schultz advises, “When you need refreshing, stop for a moment, put some toner on a pad, and gently wipe your face. You’ll see hues of gray, yellow, or even tan appearing on the pad as the toner extracts all the sweat, oil, dirt, and debris that are causing your need for a refresh. Use a second one if needed and wait a few seconds for any residual toner to evaporate from your face.” Just spritzing and swiping toner midday can completely refresh your skin and there’s no limit to how many times you can use this trick throughout your day.
Use a Toner Before You Work Out
One of the best times to use a toner is actually before a workout. This might sound counterintuitive. After all, you want to remove that post-workout sweat, right? While you definitely want to use a toner after your workout to remove any sweat and excess oil that built up on your skin, Dr. Schultz says that applying toner before working out is key. That’s because “the toner will remove the acne-causing debris on your skin before you sweat and rub it into your pores, causing clogs and pimples.” Consider your toner a preemptive strike against the excess dirt that might clog your pores during your workout.
Using a gentle toner throughout your day is the best way to keep your skin feeling fresh and free from dirt, debris, and excess oil. Just one spritz and swipe, and you’ll be on your way to healthier skin from morning to night.
Good article