…or Hurting Your Skin?

Let’s be honest—toner is one of those skincare steps that’s either absolutely essential… or completely forgotten. And if you’ve ever used one that made your skin sting, burn, or dry out? You’re not alone in wondering if toners are even necessary.

But here’s the thing: a good toner can be a game-changer. It can prep your skin to absorb moisture, soothe irritation, and rebalance your skin’s pH—if it’s formulated well.

So how do you know if your toner is helping or hurting your skin?

Let’s unpack it.

What Should a Toner Do?

Once upon a time, toners were harsh astringents—mostly alcohol-based—and used to strip away oil. Thankfully, skincare has evolved. Today’s toners are more like nutrient-rich mists that hydrate, balance, and support your skin barrier.

A good toner should:

• Restore your skin’s natural pH (especially after cleansing)

• Add a layer of hydration

• Prep your skin to better absorb serums and moisturizers

• Provide antioxidants or calming botanicals

It’s not a harsh “extra step”—it’s a gentle foundation.

Signs Your Toner Might Be Hurting

If your toner leaves your skin feeling tight, dry, or inflamed, it’s a red flag. Even toners marketed as “natural” can contain irritating ingredients.

Common culprits:

• Alcohol (SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethanol)

• Synthetic fragrance or “parfum”

• Witch hazel with alcohol as a base

• Menthol or camphor

These ingredients can disrupt your skin barrier, increase sensitivity, and cause redness or breakouts—especially if you already struggle with dry or reactive skin.

What to Look For Instead

The best toners are gentle, hydrating, and packed with skin-loving botanicals. And, sometimes….they’re actually called Tonics! That’s where we come in! We formulate a unique style of toner, called Tonic. It’s like a toner, but different. We use moisturizing, hydrating, active ingredients that benefit skin instead of stripping skin.

At Simple Body, we’ve created toners and tonics that do more than just feel good—they support real skin function.

Here are two favorites:

✦ Brighten + Boost Botanical Skin Tonic

Formulated for sensitive or compromised skin, this tonic features:

• Gotu kola & peony extract to calm inflammation

• Chamomile floral water for gentle hydration

• Bilberry extract & sodium lactate to support barrier repair

It’s a soothing, antioxidant-rich mist that hydrates while strengthening the skin.

Perfect for: Redness, dryness, irritation, rosacea-prone skin.

✦ Clean Sweep Toner

This is your go-to for acne-prone, oily, or combination skin. It includes:

• Witch hazel + aloe vera juice to purify without stripping

• Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree to balance skin

Great for those who want a clarifying toner without the burn.

Perfect for: Breakouts, oily zones, post-workout refresh.

Pro Tip: How to Use Toner the Right Way

Mist the Brighten and Boost directly onto your skin or, for the Clean Sweep, use a cotton round. It may burn if you get it directly in your eye, so it’s best if you avoid eye contact. Then, while skin is still damp, apply your serum or moisturizer to lock in the hydration.

This one small change can make a huge difference in how your products absorb and how hydrated your skin stays throughout the day.

Final Thoughts

Toner isn’t just a throwaway step—it’s a powerful way to prep, protect, and pamper your skin. The key is using one that supports your skin, not one that strips it. If your current toner stings or leaves you feeling dry, it’s probably doing more harm than good.

Want help choosing the right one for your skin type? We offer free consultations (in-store or virtual) to walk you through it.

Try Our Toners: