ACNE, SKIN SCIENCE

WHY USE A FACE TONER?

by Neutrogena, January 5, 2023

You've definitely seen them in the skincare aisle at your local drugstore — those slim bottles filled with clear or lightly tinted liquid. Toner for the face is a curious product. Many people who use one don't even realize why other than because of habit. We're big fans of habit, but we're even bigger fans of sharing the best reasons to use toner and what it does for your face.

Face toner is a secret skincare weapon. It comes in a water-based liquid form that may be infused with skin-soothing ingredients like eucalyptus, peppermint and aloe. You can often find different formulas made especially for your skin type. A toner's job is meant to gently refresh your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. This means toner won't irritate sensitive skin or cause excessive dryness. Toner also prepares the skin to drink up your post-cleansing moisturizer and any other skin treatments that you may apply.

Now, you may have seen or heard of products that are labeled "astringent" instead of toner. Astringent is commonly mistaken for toner, but they're two slightly different products. The main difference is that astringent typically contains alcohol, which is an ideal ingredient for those with oily skin. Astringents are especially good at helping to control oil.

What Does Face Toner Do and When Do I Use It?

Toner removes any last traces of dirt, grime and impurities stuck in your pores after you wash your face. When added to your daily skincare routine and used regularly, it can have major positive impact on the appearance and tightness of your pores (hello, aging skin). Toner also restores your skin's pH level, smooths skin by refining rough patches and improves skin tone. So many benefits!

As for application, you'll want to soak a cotton ball with the toner and gently sweep it across your skin after cleansing every morning and before you go to bed at night. This should be your second step so it preps the skin to absorb your moisturizer (third step) and skin treatments (fourth step).

Who Should Use Face Toner?

Everyone! But if you have oily skin, are prone to acne or wear makeup, you may especially benefit, because toner goes the extra mile to clean out and close-up pores. For acne-prone skin, we suggest trying Neutrogena Rapid Clear® 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Toner because it contains salicylic acid. For oily skin, try Neutrogena® Alcohol-Free Daily Toner. This one’s designed to keep your oil production in check.

When it comes to glowing, healthy-looking skin, toner is a key step in your routine. To check out the variety and shop all of Neutrogena^® face toners, visit our Toners page and find the right one for you.