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If you’re familiar with my skincare line or are a regular reader of my blog, you know how much I love toner (alcohol-free toner, to be exact). Not only does it give the skin an instant boost of moisture, but it can also balance the skin’s pH and support the natural moisture barrier.
Some skincare companies package their toners in spray bottles that allow people to easily apply them to their skin after cleansing. Other brands, like mine, pack them in bottles to wipe over skin with a cotton pad or toning wipe. I’m often asked if the way it’s applied matters, and if so, what’s the best way to do it. My answer is yes, it matters! In this post I explain why. Read on to find out.
What is the best way to apply toner?
Wiping any toner on the face with a cotton pad or toner wipe is the preferred method. Why? One of the top five benefits of toners is that they can remove residue from the skin – be it residue from a cleaning product or, more importantly, residue from tap water.
What many people may not know is that tap water contains minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. When you wash your face with tap water and these minerals build up on your skin, they can react with surfactants in your cleanser, essentially creating soapy suds.
This ultimately creates a film that upsets the skin’s balance in more ways than one, leading to the following skin issues:
- A disrupted moisture barrier
- dryness and dehydration
- irritation and sensitivity
- Rough skin feel
- clogged pores
The good news is that simply wiping your skin will remove all of that troublesome residue! That’s why I always apply my toner with toning cloths. Not only do they help remove these film-forming minerals, but they absorb less liquid than a traditional cotton pad or ball. In the long run, this means your skin gets the most out of the toner and you save on product. Plus, they’re ultra-soft on the skin, and you won’t get lint or shredded fibers like cotton laps.
The only time I suggest spraying a toner instead of wiping it off is if you’re using it on the go, like you would use the Rapid Response Maskne Spray. I packaged this toner in a spray bottle for convenient use throughout the day when we wear protective face masks. With salicylic acid, lactic acid and tea tree oil, this spray-on toner helps keep mask-related breakouts at bay.
The final result
Wipe vs. spray toner might seem like an unnecessary distinction, but it really makes a difference!
As always, make sure you use an alcohol-free toner. Alcohol-based toners can be extremely drying and irritating. Also, make sure you leave your toner damp on your skin before applying any serum or moisturizer (I call this the golden minute rule). This seals in all moisture and leaves your skin looking plump and healthy.
Next, check out 10 Surprising Cleaning Mistakes You Need to Stop Making!
Famous beautician and skincare expert
An esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skincare expert has created a real solution – products formulated for nine different skin types to give your face exactly what it needs to look and feel good. Celebrities, editors, bloggers and skincare enthusiasts around the world trust her extensive real-world knowledge and ongoing research. Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”