Many people these days are not using a toner. Toners are a
hugely important part of our skin care routine but unfortunately toners have
gotten a bad rap. Toners used to serve a totally different purpose. Back in our
parent’s days, cleansers were made from mineral oil and the only way to get it
off was an alcohol-based toner. This alcohol-based toner was so commonly used
that it became what we all think of as a toner.
What most people don’t know is that toners serve up a ton of
very important benefits.
- They boost the moisture content of
your skin keeping it from being dehydrated. Today so many people drink
caffeinated beverages and don’t drink enough water. So often I see dehydrated
skin because of this. Dehydrated skin can often be confused with oily skin because
it appears to be shiny. Dehydrated skin is shiny but not oily. Dehydrated skin
is also confused with dry skin. Dry skin needs oil. Whereas, dehydrated skin
needs water.
- Removes leftover cleanser and oil.
Let’s face it, some of us don’t spend a lot of time washing our face and there
can still be a residue left over. If you use a toner after a treatment or
masque, the toner will make sure the product has been removed from the skin.
- To calm and freshen the skin with
natural plant botanicals. This is great for sensitive skin. Many sensitive skin
types will be pink, red and irritated after cleansing. Aloe Vera, chamomile,
tea tree and lavender are just some of the plants that help calm and freshen
skin.
- To introduce water soluble active
ingredients to our skin. This is the amazing part! If you use a toner
prior to applying a moisturizer, you can trap water, aloe vera, and all kinds
of wonderful water soluble ingredients next to you skin all day long! Most toners will help bind moisture to the
skin.
- A toner also helps your other products
to absorb evenly. After you’ve toned and you’re ready to apply your
moisturizer, you should only need a small, pea sized amount. If you skip the
toner you’ll find you need to add more moisturizer to get the same result.
- It rebalances your skin’s PH. Our skin is naturally acidic, normally with a
pH balance of between 4 and 5. After cleansing, due to the alkaline nature of
cleansers, the pH balance of skin gets disturbed. When this happens your skin
needs to work overtime to restore the balance (and that may result in oil), but
using a toner helps to restore this balance quickly. Your skin will restore itself on it’s on but
it will take about 20 minutes. Who wants to wait 20 minutes to put on their moisturizer?
This also works with any other treatment. A chemical exfoliant will change your
skin to be more acidic and a toner used right after will make sure the product
is neutralized and will restore the PH Balance.
There are many different toners these days and they’ve seriously evolved
the last few years. Since we now know that we can put just about anything water
soluble in them, we can deliver all sorts of benefits. The new generation of
toners is here. Here are some ingredients that you’ll find in some of today’s
new toners and what they can do for you:
Antioxidants
are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and enzymes (proteins inside your body)
that can help to prevent and repair damage to your body's tissue. Antioxidants
do this by slowing or preventing the effect of free radicals, which start
oxidation -- a process that causes damage from oxygen that can lead to cell
dysfunction. If you've seen a peeled apple turn brown, you've seen oxidation in
action. As antioxidants block the effects of free radicals, they end up being
oxidized. This is why it's important to constantly replenish your supply of
antioxidants. Vitamin A, C and E in particular have great benefits on the skin. Vitamins A and C also encourage cell and tissue growth,
helping the body to repair itself. This is very helpful to the skin, which is
constantly shedding and re-growing cells.
·
Toners containing glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids can
help to prevent ingrown hairs, so it also aids in grooming. Glycolic
Acid is an exfoliator. It safely removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on
the surface your skin, bring fresh new skin to the surface. This is beneficial
for those who are looking for ingredients that help with anti-aging. Glycolic
acid can also help lighten discoloration of the skin, such as sun spots or age spots.
It can also help those with acne-prone and blackhead-prone skin by getting rid
of congestion and keeping pores clean.
·
Toners containing
Hyaluronic Acid. This is a mega performing ingredient that holds a 1,000 times
its own weight in water and is dynamic for hydrating the skin.
·
Natural plant
botanicals will calm and freshen skin. They will also hydrate and are great for
sensitive skin types. Some can actually work below the skin to block
inflammatory triggers. Some plant botanicals can also eliminate excess oil or
remove it all together.
Here’s a
list of toner’s that I think are excellent. I’ll also mention which skin types
would benefit from them and also which skin concerns or conditions would be
helped by them.
Murad Hydrating Toner
Cost:
$27
Normal
or Dry Skin Type, Anti-Aging
This refreshing
toner balances, hydrates and neutralizes surface impurities. Lecithin helps
lock in moisture and restores suppleness. This is a perfect way to prepare skin
for treatment.
Additional features and ingredients:
•Witch Hazel
tightens pores
•Chamomile and
Cucumber Extract soothe irritation and soften skin
An essential in
any skin care regimen to hydrate and tone skin. After
using the skin cleanser of your choice, apply this skin toner to
hydrate, tone, and neutralize any impurities on the surface of your skin.
You’ll also return your skin to its normal pH balance and soften and soothe
your skin. This toner not only leaves your skin with improved tone and texture
but it also feels refreshing while being applied. This is also a perfect skin
care product to use in winter weather or high temperature dry summer whether
when skin tends to dehydrate.
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
Cost: $35
Normal, Dry, Combination Skin
Light facial toner spray hydrates and
refreshes. Help condition the skin and prepare for proper moisture absorption
when you spritz over skin after cleansing, and before applying your prescribed
Dermalogica Moisturizer. Refreshing facial spritz hydrates while smoothing the
surface with moisture-binding humectants plus soothing Lavender, Balm Mint and
Arnica. Formulated without artificial fragrances and colors.
Benefits:
·
Helps
even out skin porosity.
·
Optimizes
moisturizer absorption.
Murad Essential-C Toner
Cost: $28
Normal, Dry,
Combination Skin, Acne, Anti-Aging
Bitter Orange
Flower and Coneflower Extract strengthen skin's natural defense system while
natural moisture factors gently condition and hydrate skin. Essential-C Toner
re-establishes normal pH level so skin is receptive to treatment and gives
environmentally stressed skin a refreshing, hydrating lift any time of
day.
Additional features and ingredients:
·
•Witch
Hazel tightens pores without drying skin
·
•Amino
Acid Complex provides building blocks for healthy skin
·
•Sodium
PCA helps attract and bind water to the skin
An essential and
refreshing component of any skin care program, this skin toner is packed with
Vitamin C and antioxidants to refresh and hydrate skin while also fighting free
radicals and improving skin’s appearance. Whether you’re using an acne treatment product or an anti-aging skin product as your primary skin care regimen, this
toner can be a welcome break to any day. Simply apply it to your face and neck
after using your favorite skin cleanser. Not only does Essential-C Toner from
Murad hydrate and moisturize skin while fighting the aging signs brought on my
environmental damage, it also strengthens your skin’s natural defenses. You’ve
read about the importance of an antioxidant rich diet in creating perfect,
beautiful skin. Antioxidants are just as important in topical use, and you can
treat your skin to an antioxidant rush with this vitamin rich toner.
Dermalogica Ultracalming
Mist
Cost: $34
Any skin
type, Perfect for sensitive skin
A soothing, hydrating mist to calm redness and
sensitivity. Use post-cleanse to lock in hydration and prime skin for treatment
with UltraCalming products. Lightweight mist helps create a shield against
environmental assaults, and synergistically relieves and restores skin while
fighting future flare-ups. Our exclusive UltraCalming Complex contains Oat and
botanical actives that work below the surface to interrupt inflammatory
triggers that lead to sensitization, while helping to minimize discomfort,
burning and itching. Soothing Aloe helps calm while correcting the moisture level
imbalance that can provoke sensitized skin. Formulated without artificial
fragrances and colors.
Benefits:
·
Quickly relieves inflammation and
discomfort.
·
Helps condition skin.
·
Can be used after waxing or
exfoliation for soothing benefits.
Murad Clarifying Toner
Cost: $22
Oily Skin, Acneic
Skin
Clarifying Toner
eliminates excess oil and restores balance to acne-prone skin with a refreshing
blend of natural botanicals. Problem skin is purified without drying or
irritation as Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract regulates oil production
and Witch Hazel removes oil while tightening pores. Skin is left clean,
refreshed and balanced.
Additional features and ingredients:
•Allantoin calms
and soothes redness and irritation
•Antioxidant rich
Grape Seed Extract and Vitamin E protect against damaging free-radicals
•Use throughout
the day to refresh skin, reduce oil and shine
Dermalogica
Antioxidant Hydramist
Cost:
$40
Anti-Aging
A refreshing peptide toner that creates a
hydrating, antioxidant shield over skin to help reduce fine dryness lines and
prevent the signs of aging. Mist over skin after cleansing and throughout the
day to help firm, rehydrate, and minimize skin-aging triggers.
Benefits:
·
Hydrates to reduce fine lines
associated with dryness.
·
Creates an antioxidant shield against
free radicals.
·
Refreshing mist can be spritzed on
skin throughout the day.
Dermalogica Breakout Clearing All Over Toner
Cost:
$19
Oily,
Acneic Skin
This unique mist-all-over purifying toner
controls excess oils and helps eliminate breakouts on the face and body.
Refreshing extracts help cool and revive skin.
Benefits:
·
Salicylic Acid combined with Sesame
Seed Extract helps minimize the surface oils that cause breakouts.
·
Formulated with 12 gentle botanicals
including Lavender, Camellia Sinensis and Argan, known to minimize redness and
skin aggravation triggered by breakouts.
·
Lemongrass and Bitter Orange refresh,
energize and revive skin.
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xoxo
Violett
Doing a giveaway this week for a Murad Rapid Results Starter Set. I love these products. Everyone has sun damage whether you can see it or not and these products protect you from future damage and fix any damage you have. Love Vitamin C! Everyone could use some Vitamin C in their lives!!