Toners - does everyone actually need one in their skincare routine?

Some would say that toners have gotten a bad rap for being overly drying and stripping, especially for those with oily skin. The truth is, this skincare step is a great way to give your skincare routine a major boost and can help you reach your skin goals faster!

In this blog post, our Beauty Affairs team delves into the world of toners and reveals the mystery behind this underrated skincare step. Plus, we’ll help you find out what the best toner is for your skin type and needs!

If you're a skincare enthusiast or just starting your skincare journey, we’ve got you covered. This article is packed with useful insights and recommendations to achieve healthy, balanced skin. Let's get glowing!

What Does Your Toner Do?

Toner is a crucial step in skincare that often gets overlooked. Its primary purpose is to prepare the skin after cleansing, removing any remaining impurities and residue while restoring its pH balance. However, modern toners do more than just that these days

Toners can be formulated with ingredients to fade dark spots, tighten pores, and even soften the signs of ageing, making them an incredibly versatile skincare product to add to your routine. Toners are often confused with essences - and sure, there is some overlap, but there are also some key differences between essences and toners, too!

How Necessary Is A Toner?

I know what you’re thinking - you left using a toner in the nineties, right? Toners have come a long way since then. We have noticed that using a toner can be pretty divisive within the skincare community - but we’re in the pro-toner boat because they can do so much for skin!

Toners are designed to balance skin pH, prepare it for your skincare routine, and provide targeted benefits, depending on their formulation.

Specialised toners can combat acne or soothe sensitive skin while exfoliating toners can improve skin texture. I mean, if getting these benefits is as easily as swiping a cotton pad on my skin… I’d be game to add one to my routine!

What Are the Different Types of Face Toners?

There are a few different kinds of toners out there - from hydrating to oil-controlling, and even skin-soothing toners for sensitive skin. Here’s a quick run-through of some of the common types of skin toner that you’ll find.

Hydrating Toners

Hydrating toners are a saviour for dry, dehydrated, and mature skin. They’re more commonly found in Japanese and Korean skincare brands, where the ethos is more about gently supporting your skin with multiple, effective layers of skincare.

These skincare products are usually formulated with humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid that attract and retain moisture, providing a boost of hydration and giving your skin a plumping effect. Another common ingredient in hydrating toners is glycerin. Natural ingredients you’ll find in a toner for hydration include Aloe Vera Extract and even Oat Extract, which works double-duty to soothe skin as well.

One of our favourite hydrating toners is the Murad Hydrating Toner ($60). Formulated with Urea, one of the most effective humectant ingredients out there, it instantly increases skin hydration.

Hydrating toners can be used every day, morning and night to maintain healthy skin. While they bring the most benefit to those with dry skin, they can be used by all skin types to support optimal skin hydration!

Murad Hydrating Toner
Murad Hydrating Toner helps to rebalance upset pH levels and increase your skin's hydration with a carefully chosen blend of ingredients proven to lock in moisture and improve your skin’s softness.

Click to Buy Murad Hydrating Toner

Exfoliating Toners

Exfoliating toners are excellent for addressing skin concerns such as dullness, uneven texture, and clogged pores. They contain alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that gently remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and promote cell turnover.

AHAs include skincare ingredients such as Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and less commonly, Mandelic Acid. Their benefits include smoothing skin texture, unclogging pores, and improving skin’s radiance.

The most common Beta-Hydroxy Acid is Salicylic Acid, and it’s effective for reducing the look of pores, mattifying skin, and reducing severity of breakouts.

Because exfoliating toners have a stronger effect on skin, it’s best to use them twice to three times a week. Overuse of this kind of face toner can lead to irritation, redness, and stinging - the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve with skincare!

A top exfoliating toner at Beauty Affairs is the Medik8 Press & Clear ($64). Formulated with Salicylic Acid, this toner helps to target visible pores, blackheads, and oil production.

Medik8 Press & Clear
Say goodbye to dull and congested skin as Medik8 Press & Clear works its magic, leaving you with a refreshed and radiant complexion.

Click to Buy Medik8 Press & Clear

Traditional Toners

A traditional toner is one that has been formulated with Witch Hazel, an astringent ingredient that helps to cleanse and purify skin. These formulas are meant to be swiped on skin right after cleansing to help sweep away any lingering particles and balannce your skin’s pH.

One of our best-selling toners is the Clarins Purifying Toning Lotion ($46). Alongside classic Witch Hazel, it features Seaweed and Meadowfoam Extracts to nurture skin.

Click to Buy Clarins Purifying Toning Lotion

Best Toners for Different Skin Concerns

Now comes the exciting part—finding the best toner for your skin type. We've curated a list of top-performing toners that cater to different skin types, highlighting their key features, ingredients, and benefits. Whether you're looking for a toner to reduce breakouts, soothe dryness, or balance oil production, we've got you covered with a range of options to suit various budgets.

Best Toner for Oil Control: Murad Clarifying Toner

This toner from Murad is formulated with Witch Hazel, a natural skincare ingredient that effectively reduces the appearance of pesky pores and helps to regulate your skin’s natural oil production. Murad Clarifying Toner ($48) is also formulated with Cucumber Extract, a naturally hydrating ingredient to ward off dryness and ensure skin stays balanced.

Click to Buy Murad Clarifying Toner

Best Toner for Dry Skin: Yehwadam Artemisia Soothing Moisturizing Toner 

When it comes to dry skin, you need all the hydration you can get! This K-Beauty toner has Panthenol and Niacinamide to help boost skin’s water levels, while natural skincare superstar Artemisia Extract soothes skin and helps to maintain a naturally hydrated equilibrium. Yehwadam Artemisia Soothing Moisturizing Toner ($55) boosts your skin’s hydration for a dewy glow. Pro tip: pat this one into skin with your hands, instead of a cotton pad!

Click to Buy Yehwadam Artemisia Soothing Moisturizing Toner

Best Toner for Easily Irritated Skin: Dr Jart+ Cicapair Toner

If your skin flushes red easily and stings when doing your skincare routine, you might need something soothing to put that fire out. The Dr Jart+ Cicapair Toner ($57) is formulated with Centella Asiatica, a powerful naturally soothing skincare ingredient that helps to manage visible redness and strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier. This toner is perfect for sensitive skin!

Click to Buy Dr Jart+ Cicapair Toner

Best Toner for Mature Skin: Yehwadam Heaven Grade Ginseng Rejuvenating Toner 

Mature skin has unique needs; it has to rely on skincare ingredients to help maintain moisture levels and support skin elasticity more than ever. Yehwadam Heaven Grade Ginseng Rejuvenating Toner ($75) is formulated with ultra-potent Ginseng. This is a natural skincare ingredient that helps to support your skin’s natural collagen levels and improve the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.

Click to Buy Yehwadam Heaven Grade Ginseng Rejuvenating Toner

Best Toner for All Skin Types: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner

If you’re looking for an all-rounder, you can’t go wrong with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($40). It’s alcohol-free, making it truly ideal for all skin types. It has the perfect balance of hydrating and gently cleansing ingredients to sweep away lingering impurities and restore any lost hydration back to your skin.

Click to Buy Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner ($40)

Best Toner to Minimise Pores: Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic

When it comes to refining skin and minimising pores, an exfoliating toner is one to reach for. Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic ($82) harnesses the power of two AHAs, Lactic Acid and Mandelic Acid to slough away dead skin cells and minimise the look of those pesky pores.

This exfoliating toner is ideal for those with visible pores, and especially if you have oily or combination skin.

Click to Buy Medik8 Pore Minimising Tonic

Skincare Toners: The Bottom Line

In conclusion, skin toners are a vital part of your skincare routine, providing the perfect preparation for the rest of your beauty regime. These versatile products are essential to achieving radiant and glowing skin, and offer several benefits to your complexion. For instance, toners help to balance your complexion’s pH level, which is crucial for maintaining healthy and clear skin.

By selecting a toner suited to your unique skin type and concerns, you can elevate your skincare routine to new heights, resulting in clear, healthy, and radiant skin. We hope this blog post has helped you get your beauty affairs in order, and left you feeling confident to select the perfect toner for your specific skin.