If you ask me, yes. Definitely. Without a doubt. But then again, I was “blessed” with the kind of skin that always appreciates the amazing properties of toners and facial mists. To clarify: my skin is always in some kind of trouble. I’m either suffering from breakouts, clogged pores, dry patches, excess oil or all of the above at once. My skin is not easy to keep happy. I should also mention the fact that I am really lazy. I tend to try to skip steps when it comes to a lot of things. What I’ve learned though is, that skipping parts of your skincare is never a good idea. As it is, your skin already has a pretty tough job, so it really needs all the love it can get. Love sometimes comes in liquid form and, in our case, love is found in toners.

What is a Toner?

Toners, Facial Mists, Toning Mists, Elixirs, Hydrating Water… are everywhere these days. And they have been around for quite some time. So what exactly do they do? Well, they are true multitaskers. They can help to hydrate your skin, protect skin cells, refresh your makeup, shrink your pores and even restore your pH balance. Usually you use a toner between your cleanser and moisturizer, that means after you’ve taken off all your makeup and washed away all dirt and impurities. Most toners come in a spray bottle so you can mist your face directly or spray the product onto a cotton pad and swipe it across your your face. Then you follow it up with your favorite serum and/or moisturizer.

How does it work?

There a million different kinds of toners out there and there are specific ones that are targeted towards a certain skin type or issue. In general though, all toners hydrate the skin and add radiance to your complexion. A lot of cleansers can be a little too harsh to your epidermis and leave your skin tight and dry. A good facial mist will give your skin back some of the moisture that was lost during cleansing and even help to bind additional moisture into the skin. We love M.Picault’s Hydrating Water for exactly that purpose. This mist is based upon aloe vera and it’s fragrance-free formula makes it perfect for everyone, especially those who do not enjoy overpowering scents.
If you are looking for something that will not only hydrate but also soothe and heal your skin, my recommendation would be YÜLI’s Cocoon Elixir. It not only protects your skin from environmental stress like pollution and the sun, but also contains calendula and rose which helps your skin to heal any kind of inflammation or irritation. Perfect for a skin-troubled girl like me.
If you also want to use your toner to freshen up your makeup through the day, my top choice is Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence. It seriously gives your skin the kind of radiance that you normally only see on photo-shopped people. At the same time, the fresh and light blend of fresh flower nectars just boosts your mood and leaves you feeling happy and energized.

Which one will work for me?

Always go with your skin type first.

• If you have dry skin, have a look at the hydrating ones. Choose one that contains aloe vera or rose extract. Both will hydrate your skin and make your face feel plump and nourished.
• If your skin is sensitive, stick with soothing and healing toners that are not too harsh to your skin. Orange blossom is a great ingredient to look for, as well as lavender. A healing toner will help you fight impurities and also fade acne scars faster.
• If you find yourself battling too many demons and once and your skin is combination of dry and oily, I recommend toners that contain witch hazel. It combats oiliness and helps to minimize pores. Your skin will enjoy it for sure and you will simply need to get used to the earthy smell.
• If your skin is mature and/or often tired and devitalized, a rejuvenating toner is the way to go. They often contain a mixture of all the above mentioned ingredients, but are also way more refreshing and cooling on the skin. As we get older, our skin loses some it’s natural moisture so a good natural toner should be on the top of your wishlist.

I hope this little guide is making the decision to incorporate a toner into your skincare regime a little easier. I would also like to point out that a good toner or facial mist should only contain a minimum amount of organic alcohol, so be cautious when it is listed as one of the first ingredients. Then it surely will dry out your skin and throw your pH balance through a loop.

Do you use a toner? What is your favorite kind and how do you like to apply it?
Share your recommendations with us in the comments!