Is Facial Toner Necessary? | typeF.com
Toner removes any makeup or residue left over after washing your face. Now that there are waterproof mascaras and eyeliners, it’s a tad more difficult to completely wash off makeup with a water-based cleanser. Enter toner. Toner is either water or alcohol-based; usually contains salicylic acid, witch hazel and benzoyl peroxide; and is applied all over your face with a cotton pad or ball. But whether toner is even a vital step in your beauty routine is up for debate.
I use a natural facial toner every day. It is based on witch hazel and rose water and contains a lot of other botanicals, but has no alcohol in it. It completes the cleansing of my skin and the natural astringents in it reduce the size of my pores to give a smoother look and feel to my skin.
If the only toner I had available was alcohol-based, then I wouldn’t use it, as the drying effects would be too great. It may not be too bad for a person with oily skin, but that’s not me!
I’ve also routinely seen people get a lot of relief from acne just by using the right toner for their skin. The deep cleansing, and restoration of a slightly acidic pH to their skin, after the alkalizing effect of soap, can be especially helpful for people who suffer from breakouts and eruptions
