Tone One, Tone All

Don’t miss this saucy step!

Let’s imagine your skincare regimen as a delicious 3-star Michelin course meal. It’s artfully crafted and looks so beautiful that you want to take a picture. In this analogy, that has probably made you really hungry, toner would be all the sauces drizzled on top. You can still technically have a balanced meal without sauce, but it would be less spectacular. Toner is the sauce that gives your skin its Michelin star.

What is toner? Toner is a water-based liquid that you generally swipe your face with after cleansing. A well-rounded toner will add hydration or nourishment, reduce the appearance of pores, and get your serums into the skin faster. For those of you who don’t like to read, skip ahead to the very bottom of this post to see toning enthusiast Pamela teach us all about the sauciest of the skincare steps!

Some toners have alcohol and alpha hydroxy acids in addition to other nourishing ingredients. These types of toner can be great for acneic or pigmented skin because that allows the ingredients to work fast while also giving the skin an extra antibacterial boost. Other toners are more calming, hydrating, and moisturizing. These toners are good to boost and balance dry, irritated, and reactive skin. A combo of both toners is usually ideal for most people.

So now that you understand what toner is from a technical standpoint, here are some other skin benefits and hacks you can achieve with the right toner. 

Remove traces of makeup. Once you have seen what is on the cotton pad after you tone you will be mortified when you don’t use one! 

Use toner as a cleanser in a pinch. Toners can help cleanse the skin if you don’t have time or access to cleanse like before or after working out or playing sports, camping, flying, or simply too lazy/sick/tired to wash your face. 

Get clear skin faster. Toner is a huge help to clear acne because it is antibacterial and exfoliating. It's also great for chest, back, and butt acne. 

If you aren’t using a toner start here!

Dry Skin: Iso Cell Recovery Solution
This toner is like a healing tonic packed with minerals to help soothe the skin. It works best to spray on the skin after patting dry from cleansing, but if you are wearing makeup and want a skin refresh, you can spritz it on over makeup. 

How to use: After cleansing or showering, leave skin just a little damp and spray all over, let the toner absorb into the skin, and follow with hydrating serums. 

Budget-Friendly Option: Iso Cell Recovery Solution (travel-sized)

Normal Skin: Skin Nourishing Toner

This is the magic toner. It’s alcohol-free so it will not dry your skin, but it still has mandelic acid (our favorite gentle alpha hydroxy acid) making it good for skin that needs some cell turnover (acne, scarring, pigmentation, aging) but doesn't want to be irritated. 

How to use: Pump about 4-5 pumps on a cotton pad (never use cotton balls) and sweep around the skin. Don't forget the neck and chest! 

Budget-Friendly Option: Skin Calming Toner. Rose water and other soothing agents will bring down redness and help your serum go on smoothly. 

Oil-Rich Skin: 3% Mandelic Acid Toner 

This is the ideal starter toner for anyone wanting clear skin fast. Not only does mandelic acid fight breakouts, but it works great for pigmentation as well. It helps exfoliate the skin just enough to help you see results fast. 

How to use: Pump about 4-5 pumps on a cotton pad (never use cotton balls) and sweep around the skin. Don't forget the neck, chest, and back if you have acne there! 

Budget-Friendly Option: Sal-C Toner 

Salicylic acid helps clear dead skin cells and oil while vitamin C helps brighten the complexion.