Do you really need a toner in your skincare routine?

Do you really need a toner in your skincare routine?

Elise Parkes
4 minute read

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Toner: Why it should be part of your daily routine.

For many of us, the word toner can give us flashbacks to our teenage skincare routines which so often were made up of the strict  three step ‘cleanse, tone, moisturise’ process that our mums forced us into at the first sign of teenage acne, compensating for the layers upon layers of makeup we had hastily applied (dream matte mousse anyone?). A lot has changed since then (thank goodness) and even though your skincare routine may now be slightly more sophisticated than it was when you were 14, facial toner’s are still proving to be an effective step in our skin regime and should still be a key staple in our skincare line-up. So what is a toner and why do we need to use one?

So, what exactly is a toner?

Think of a toner as your first step in the product application part of your routine, it ensures the skin is completely clear from anything that was previously on it and ready for anything that is to be applied after it, making sure the skin is fully prepped and can fully benefit from your hard-working routine.

Removing what’s left on the skin after cleansing, be it makeup, oil or remnants of dirt that may have been missed during your cleanse. Every toner formulation is different (with different actives to target different concerns) but they work in tandem with your cleanser and aim to balance the pH of the skin, perfectly prepping it for the products that follow.

Aren’t they just for oily skin?

Toners have garnered a bit of a bad rep by some people, due to early formulations often being astringent and drying with high alcohol levels and purely catered to oily skin.  However, be assured that is a thing of the past, developments in our knowledge of skincare formulations and the influence of k-beauty have seen toners have quite the resurgence (especially the hydrating type), and not soon enough! Formulations have become much more advanced and a good toner can help improve the texture and appearance of any skin type so are a must-have in our skincare regime.

What are the main benefits of a Toner?

As well as removing the remnants of anything left on your complexion, a good Toner will balance the natural pH of the skin. When the skin is at its natural pH level, which is usually around 5.5, it is in the best state to absorb the ingredients that are applied afterwards, be it a moisturiser or active ingredients.

Regular use of a Toner will help to minimize the appearance of pores by removing any dirt or oil sitting in them, in turn this makes your skin appear smoother and pores tighter, meaning less debris can penetrate the skin.

What else? Well hydration, hydration, hydration (if you’re doing it k-beauty style that is.) For those of us who are skincare obsessed we’re probably already adapted your idea of an ideal toner to that that brings you glow. That clear, glassy and radiant known as ‘Chok Chok.’ Pat it onto your skin (those cotton pads are just stealing all your precious product anyway) and with regular use banish dullness and dryness.

Our personal favourite... Peach & Glow hydra skin tonic (obviously) 

Introducing our radiance-boosting, skin brightening, thirst-quenching hydra tonic, for skin that’s fresh, glowing and as juicy as its name sake.  

With Peach, Lychee and Aloe to refresh and hydrate, Ginseng for antioxidant protection,  skin softening Glycerin and Tranexamic Acid to target sun and age spots and actively brighten. 

Peach & Glow Hydra Skin Tonic

Peach & Glow Hydra Skin Tonic

£24.00

Introducing our radiance-boosting, skin brightening, thirst-quenching hydra tonic, for skin that’s fresh, glowing and as juicy as its name sake. With Peach, Lychee and Aloe to refresh and hydrate, Ginseng for antioxidant protection,  skin softening Glycerin and Tranexamic Acid to target sun… Read More



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