The Return of Toner?

Toner has not been a regular part of my skincare routine since probably back to my teens. I may have used one every now and then in my early 20s, but at some point about ten years ago I didn’t find that I needed it so I took it out of my regimen. Plus there was always conflicting advice about toners most of which leaned toward the “not really necessary” and “contains drying alcohol” side so I skipped it.

But then derma e sent over some info that now has challenged me to add toner back in my skincare lineup.

I spoke with derma e’s esthetician, Kate Tart who had this to say on the subject…

Why is toner important?

A toner:

• Removes any remaining impurities or cleanser residues

• Clarifies skin of chlorine and mineral deposit present in your water supply

• Refreshes and awakens skin

• Balances skin’s pH

• Minimizes the appearance of pores

• Prepares skin to absorb your moisturizer or treatment, therefore you receive even more benefits from your next step

Can we get away with not using toner?

We should not overlook using a toner. Think of them as liquid skin cocktails that support your daily facial care routine. They contain many of the same beneficial ingredients as your moisturizers and crèmes, remove remaining impurities, balance the skin’s pH, and prepare it to receive maximum benefits from your next treatment or moisturizer.

Why has it been an item skipped in so many skincare regimens?

Many people are not aware of a Toner’s benefits. Even if you cleanse well, a Toner is still necessary for the reasons listed above. There may also be a misconception that most toners are still alcohol based. While some toners do contain alcohol, most of these formulations are now marketed as astringents. A wellformulated toner is a great addition to any skincare routine.

Is it for all skin types? Which toners are best for certain skin types?

• derma e® Age-Defying Toner with Astaxanthin (Ideal for all skin types, the Age-Defying Antioxidant line helps diminish multiple signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and damage caused by stress, lifestyle, sun and other environmental factors.)

• derma e® Soothing Toner with Pycnogenol® (Specially formulated for sensitive, easily irritated skin, the Soothing Pycnogenol® line helps keep skin calm while diminishing signs of aging.)

• derma e® Very Clear® Astringent (Specially formulated for oily or blemish-prone skin types, the Very Clear® skincare system helps optimize skin clarity by cleansing away pore-clogging dirt and blemish-causing bacteria while restoring clean hydration.)

• derma e® Firming Toner with DMAE, Alpha Lipoic and C-Ester (Mature skin suffers from a loss of supportive collagen, which results in slack-looking skin. The Firming DMAE line is designed to visibly promote firmer, more resilient skin by replenishing the vital nutrients skin needs to maintain healthy collagen levels.)

• derma e® Hydrating Mist with Hyaluronic Acid (Ideal for dry skin and normal skin exposed to drying elements, the Hydrating Hyaluronic line deeply moisturizes and plumps skin to diminish signs of visible aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.)

• derma e® Refining Vitamin A and Glycolic Toner (Ideal for oily and combination skin types, the Refining Vitamin A line helps re-texturize skin to diminish the look of fine lines, irregularities and large pores.)

• derma e® Evenly Radiant Toner (Ideal for all skin types, the Evenly Radiant® Brightening line targets uneven skin tone, discoloration and sun damage. With Vitamin C, Madonna Lily Plant Stem Cells, Bearberry, Vitamin B3, and Licorice plus added antioxidant power, these formulas boost radiance for a more evenly toned, luminous complexion.)

Hmm…I’m intrigued—derma e sent over some of their toners for my skin type (Refining Vitamin A and Glycolic Toner, Evenly Radiant Toner, and Firming Toner with DMAE, Alpha Lipoic and C-Ester) and needs so I’ll be testing them out over the coming weeks to see if they made any difference for me. Stay tuned!

Prices and where to buy: (see widget below)

Do you use toner? Which one(s) are your faves? Tell me in the comments!