I’m sure most women are familiar with the age-old mantra when it comes to skincare: Cleanse – Tone – Moisturise. So, we all grow up thinking we have to follow this 3 step skincare programme. But have you really thought about the middle step – Tone? The texture of a toner is usually clear and liquid and you are advised to soak a cotton pad with it and then to wipe it all over your face.
I found a good article on About.com that addresses this issue of whether Toner is really necessary. Although they give the yes-sayers and no-sayers to whether toner is necessary, their conclusion is that toner is not really a necessary step – not in the way we were taught anyway.
I was told that using a toner was an important second step after cleaning, as it helps remove whatever residual dirt there is on the face, while helping the skin close the pores. I have tried many toners over time, from Simple to Estee Lauder andhonestly, I never saw a need for this second step.
I figured after a while, that if the cleanser was not doing a good job cleaning my face of the dirt, it can’t be a very good cleaner anyway! Also, I wasn’t quite sure about the pores opening and closing like a swing door. So, I decided to skip this step. It did not help that the many toners I tried made my skin feel squeaky clean and dry, and I felt I had to apply on thick moisturiser to restore the moisture. Most toners contain some level of alcohol which contributes to the drying effect, and helps it dry out faster on the skin. I found that even though I skipped the toner step, I did not end up breaking out more than I should. So, I decided to leave it out.
In Japanese skincare however, you will notice that they too have a middle step of a watery liquid. This however, does not perform a “toning” function as promoted in western brands. The Japanese have a regime of double-cleansing and double-moisturising. Double-cleansing usually involves using a cleansing oil followed by a foaming cleanser. Then, they recommend double-moisturising, which is the watery liquid lotion followed by a cream/liquid moisturiser.If you have tried Japanese skincare, you will notice that the lotion (mistakenly referred to as a toner by many) actually makes your skin feel hydrated after applying, unlike toners that usually have a drying effect.
However, as pointed out in the About.com article, don’t throw away your toner just yet. If you find that it works for your skin, by all means continue using it. Maybe something in it works for you.
The only concession to a “toner” that I presently use is the apple cider vinegar toner to control my spots and occasional breakout. Its the best remedy I’ve found thus far, and the cheapest too!
So tell me: Do you do the whole cleanse-tone-moisturise regime or are you like me and only cleanse-moisturise?
geekchic says
July 26, 2007 at 10:01 amWouldn’t be without my dermalogica multi active toner 🙂 I don’t think it helps with removal of residue/dirt but I think it helps with locking in of extra moisture from the moisturizer. It’s kinda ironic that my toner costs more than my moisturizer but because the combo works, i say to hell with it 🙂
I sometimes pinch my mom’s dior puresnow hydrating toner. i absolutely ADORE that. (not too sure about the whitening power because i would wish it didn’t whiten my skin, honestly) but it made my skin oh-so-soft and velvety. I cannot stop touching my skin. But it’s too expensive. I’ll get it when I hit jackpot 😀
PB says: If it works for you, that’s absolutely great! 🙂 Maybe I just never found the right toner. I think these companies should stop calling it “toner” though because its not “toning” anything right?
domestic rat says
July 26, 2007 at 11:35 amFunnily, as the article suggests, my dermatologist also strongly advised me to not use toner which in his opinion, does nothing for sensitive skin except to irritate and dry it further. In fact, he thinks on normal days when we do not wear makeup, washing with water alone is good enough. Let the skin breathe per se.
PB says: Thanks for coming by! I guess whether we should use toner depends on our skin condition and what we want. I’m glad to read your experience.
YogaJess says
July 26, 2007 at 12:20 pmDang, I think I need to have discipline when some to taking care of my face. I do Cleansing + toning occasionally unless I put on make-up. But never miss out on Moisturising.
PB says: Welcome. Cleansing and moisturising to me are the 2 most important steps of skincare. The rest is just extras. 🙂
S-Kay says
July 26, 2007 at 12:24 pmi used to be able to buy a dior tone for Rm80 only thru employee price but now..no more. And I have to use toner…if never use, i feel mcm uneasy..like something missing and it’s not clean or smooth enough for moisturiser.
PB says: wah! thats cheap! I guess if it works for you that’s great!
rbj says
July 26, 2007 at 1:30 pmI skipped the 2nd step and did not see any changes to my skin. Sorry for Clinique’s faithful users.. 😉
Cleanser + SPF-moisturiser shud b enuff for me
PB says: Welcome! Yeah, I don’t follow Clinique’s recs either heh… SPF is important. Glad you are using that!
yung . says
July 26, 2007 at 1:32 pmhi, I use only cleanser and toner, didn’t use mosturizer because my face is allergy to erm.. over moist kua I don’t know. Toner is quiet important to me as it helps to close the pores and prevent them from dirt. Without toner, I will feel my face just isn’t right.
PB says: Welcome! Have you tried any moisturisers for sensitive skin? They do say that moisturiser is important to keep moisture levels in the skin balanced because sometimes, even oily skin can be dehydrated. At least toner is working for you.
Lily says
July 26, 2007 at 2:51 pmI tried the Amway toner for oily skin(I have combination skin) and for the first few weeks my face have a lot of breakout and it was dry. I ussually soak the cotton pad in water first before pouring the toner on the cotton pad because of the toner strong astringent properties, but heck my face still have many breakout. I discontinued using the toner after a few weeks and my skin have far less breakout.
In the end I realise toner with alcohol content does not always fix the problem with oily skin.
PB says: I think people have the impression that alcohol helps dry out the oil which isn’t true. Glad you worked it out quickly
prettybeautiful says
July 26, 2007 at 6:21 pmHmm i do use toner, in fact i have been using it for all my life. but i agree that some toner which contains alcohol will dry up the skin, so, i only keep to alcohol free toner. but sometimes, i am just too lazy to use toner, and honestly, it does not make any difference at all. but i wonder why am i still using it. probably because the fact that it is still there and i don’t feel like wasting my money
PB says: LOL… if it works for you, then stick with it.
S-Kay says
July 26, 2007 at 9:46 pmDun use toner for oily skin when u have combination skin. Apparently, combination skin are mostly sensitive skin. Use hydrating or toner for sensitive skin. Simple works well for me..no alcohol. Even when your skin is oily, u dun necessary need to use the oily skin range. I learnt it the hard way coz i ended up finding out that my skin was dry-combination so in any case, if the face is not superbly oily all over (like oil factory), go towards dry-normal range. But I dun guarantee it tho =P
PB says: Thanks for the info S-kay!
doris says
July 26, 2007 at 10:24 pmI feel incomplete without using a toner leh – esp. my Aesop toner. It works pretty well for me so far 🙂
PB says: Ooh I’ve always wanted to try Aesop but never did.
Lily says
July 27, 2007 at 10:03 amThank you all for your advice.
I have since shift to a non-alcohol toner and it works fine for me.
PB says: Glad to hear that!
Tine says
July 27, 2007 at 11:00 amMy beauty regime’s not complete without toner. My workday regime’s as follows: double-cleanse -> tone -> moisturise (serum and moisturiser) -> eye cream.
Anything to keep the skin looking young eh? (getting old ady. Sigh).
PB says: Yep- anything that works for us is a must! And you aren’t older than me so pfbtt… 😛
sesame says
July 27, 2007 at 2:34 pmI was quite lazy with the toning process but lately more diligent. I think it helps in controling the oil in my case.
PB says: That’s good to know. I guess it works differently for different people, and different products work differently too
Jeni - Savvy Skin says
July 27, 2007 at 6:32 pmI don’t think toners are really necessary, but I use one sometimes when I have extra time. I like Nivea Moisturizing Toner because it smells good and doesn’t contain alcohol, so it actually moisturizes my skin, rather than drying it out! And it’s only like $4.
Lindsey says
November 14, 2010 at 3:54 amI am 20 years old and I have dry to normal skin. I find toners to be dehydrating and unnecessary. I just use a gentle cleansing cream wash and a rich moisturising day dream. At night I used baby aqueous cream, which makes my skin feel amazing when I wake up. I am thinking of getting a proper night cream though.