The Benefits of using a Facial Toner
Toners have made a comeback in a big way in the last few years. But, not all of them are created equal, making it difficult to know which one to use. Well, we are here to help! Let’s discuss how toner can improve the health of your skin, where to include a toner in your skincare routine, and how to know which one is right for you.

Benefits of using a Facial Toner
Toners are liquids applied to the skin as a facial mist or with a cotton pad immediately after cleansing your face. In the past, people used toners to remove residue left behind from harsh soap-based cleansers. Nowadays, most companies formulate facial cleansers to remove dirt, makeup, and oil without leaving a residue. So, are toners even necessary anymore? Yes! Today, the ingredients in toners can benefit your skin tremendously. A good toner will tighten pores, provide extra hydration, restore and balance pH, and remove dirt and oil that your cleanser may have missed. And they create a clean surface for your moisturizer and increase its ability to absorb into the skin.

How to Choose the Right Toner
Most often, toners include astringent ingredients, meaning that they cause tissues to contract or tighten (move closer together). Floral waters or hydrosols from flower petals and bark extracts that have astringent properties make fantastic all-natural skin tonics. Simple Body offers two toners, Rosewater Facial Toner and Clean Sweep Toner. Both work to cleanse and tighten pores at varying strengths to accommodate different skin types.

Rosewater Facial Toner

Beneficial for all skin types (use caution with Sensitive Skin)

Simple Body’s Rosewater Facial Toner is an infusion of Rose Rosa damascena petals. Rose has several therapeutic benefits for the skin. In fact, it has been used as far back as the late 7th century A.D. in Iran for its’ physical, emotional, and spiritual effects. As an anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and analgesic (pain-reducing), Rose can be used to calm and relax our nervous system. Believe it or not, Rose is high in vitamin C, making it a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. All of these benefits, as well as its’ astringent quality, make rosewater the perfect tonic for all skin types.*

When do I use Toner

So, where does toner fit into your skincare routine? Close your eyes and mist Rosewater Facial Toner on your face, neck, & décolleté area immediately after cleansing your face with Foaming Face Wash. Then, apply Daily Face Cream in the morning and Nightly Face Serum in the evening. Wash->Tone->Moisturize.

Clean Sweep Toner

Benefits

Simple Body’s Clean Sweep Toner deep cleans pores without overdrying your skin. One of the ingredients in this toner comes from the bark of the witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) shrub. It’s terrific at balancing oil, healing wounds or blemishes, and reducing pore size. Additionally, with hydrating aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) and essential oils with antimicrobial properties, this Clean Sweep removes excess oil, unclogs pores, and kills bacteria that can lead to breakouts.

Who should use Clean Sweep Toner

We recommend using Clean Sweep for occasional breakouts, combination skin, acne-prone skin, and oily skin.* Most often, other skin types find this toner to be a little too drying. Unlike the Rosewater Facial Toner, you should apply Clean Sweep Toner using a cotton pad since it contains essential oils that could get into your eyes. First, wash your face with Foaming Face Wash, and then apply Clean Sweep using a cotton pad. Also, you may think that applying moisturizer to oily skin is counterintuitive. However, a moisturizer with butters and oils resembling sebum can calm inflammation, balance oil levels, and provide much-needed nutrients. So, apply Daily Face Cream in the morning and Nightly Face Serum in the evening after your Clean Sweep Toner.

Finding a Balance

One more thing, did you know that you can tailor your skincare routine to your specific skin? For example, if you have combination skin (dry on the cheeks, oily in the T-zone), skip the cheeks and just apply Clean Sweep to the oilier areas. Also, if you have relatively normal skin but struggle with oil and acne during your menstrual cycle, switch from Rosewater to Clean Sweep for those few days a month. Or, you can use Rosewater Toner in the morning and give yourself a deep Clean Sweep before bed.

Hopefully, I’ve cleared up any doubts about how a toner can benefit the health of your skin. As always, feel free to stop by or contact us with any skincare questions.

*We recommend a skin patch test before a complete application, especially for people with Sensitive Skin:
Apply a small amount of the product in the crook of your elbow and allow it to remain for 24-48 hours. Clean the area immediately if irritation occurs.

References:

Boskabady, M. H., Shafei, M. N., Saberi, Z., & Amini, S. (2011). Pharmacological effects of rosa damascena. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences, 14(4), 295–307.