What is a toner for?

Everything you need to know about facial toners: from neutral to acidic – their roles and effects on your skin

When it comes to regular skincare, facial toners become a real lifesaver. They help restore the skin’s normal pH after cleansing, refresh the skin, and provide hydration. In this article, we will tell you about the different types of toners, their roles, and how they affect your skin.

The role of toners in skincare

When we cleanse the skin with cleansing products or soap, the skin’s natural pH can temporarily change, making it more alkaline. Using a facial toner helps restore the skin’s normal acidic pH. This, in turn, improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture and supports a stronger skin barrier.

Toners come in different types, and their effects depend on their formulation. They may contain various active ingredients such as acids, monosaccharides, vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial components. Depending on their composition, toners provide different additional benefits.

Active ingredients in toners and their effects

  • AHA acids: These acids, such as glycolic and lactic acid, are often used to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, even out skin tone and texture, and stimulate collagen production. Glycolic acid penetrates deeply, stimulating skin cells and exfoliating dead cells, while lactic acid hydrates the skin and helps restore the protective barrier. The effect of these acids depends on their concentration and pH.

Examples of toners with active ingredients

  1. Nutrient Goji Berries Tonic: This toner contains glycolic, malic, and citrus acids, as well as antioxidant acids and healing extracts such as goji berries and kale. It provides gentle exfoliation, restoring the skin’s vitality and stimulating cell renewal.
  2. Line Repair Hydra Lactic Active Toner: This toner contains lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and other natural moisturizing factors. It is also rich in antioxidants and medicinal plant extracts such as chamomile and acmella. It is recommended for daily use.

A toner helps improve hydration and enhances the absorption of active ingredients from subsequent skincare products.

Toners with neutral and acidic pH

Toners can have a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. They help neutralize the effects of hard tap water, restore the skin’s healthy pH balance, hydrate, and tone the skin. Such toners are recommended for regular use (morning and evening) after cleansing with a milk or gel cleanser.

Examples of neutral toners

Acidic toners

Acidic toners usually contain a small percentage of fruit acids and have a low pH. Using them 1–2 times a week helps not only restore the skin’s pH balance but also improve the permeability of the stratum corneum, increasing the effectiveness of other skincare products.

Examples of acidic toners by Christina

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