I used to wonder what the purpose of a toner was so mostly I eliminated it from my daily routine. It really does have a purpose and that is to return your skin's pH back to "normal". This is important because you want your skin to be able to be resistant to harmful bacteria.Your skin does need a certain amount of oil to stay waterproof and resistant to infection. But too little oil and you have dry skin, which can lead to problems with wrinkles; too much oil and you’ve got an oil slick and probably acne.
The optimum pH for skin is 5.5. pH simply means the level of acidity. pH is measured from 1 to 14; 7 is neutral, 1 - 6.9 is acidic and 7.1 - 14 is alkaline. The reason 5.5 is optimal? A pH between 4 and 6.5 is where you want to stay.
The main function of the toner is to lower and balance the pH of the skin after cleansing, thereby reducing the risk of irritating or overdrying the skin. From this perspective, toners are an important part of the skin care routine, because they complete the cleansing process and prepare the skin for the next step.
You can maintain proper pH balance by avoiding the use of harsh soaps; moisturizing skin frequently with a slightly acidic moisturizer; protecting yourself from the sun; and using pH balanced skin care products. A toner that is antioxidant rich, pH-balanced with Vitamins A, C, and E to regenerate skin tone and firmness is recommended.
Alkaline soaps and detergents are the primary destroyers of acid mantle. The other factor that may affect the acid mantle may be excess perspiration. If you perspire more than average, your acid mantle will have a higher proportion of sweat compared to others.
When you use a facial cleanser, you should not use a body bar/soap/cleansing gel on your face. These tend to strip the acid mantle - especially products mass produced for grocery and drug stores. Your skin is the first line of defense against all microorganisms, wind, and pollution. By using your toner you bring your skin back to where it’s supposed to be, so yeah it’s pretty important.
There are differences between toners, fresheners and astringents. These terms are often used interchangeably, with "toner" being the most common. Most "toners" are made up of water, skin soothers like aloe or chamomile, plant oils, ingredients to cleanse or draw moisture to the skin. Typically, "fresheners" are alcohol-free while "astringents" are not. Astringents are usually for oily skin and are often designed to fight acne or control oil.
Using one skin care line (cleanser, toner, moisturizer) is a good idea. They are formulated to work together.
