What is a face toner, what it is used for, what is included in its composition. Review of popular products, rules for the use of various toners. Features of the preparation of a home preparation. Facial toner is a special cosmetic product that has a consistency from light, slightly thicker than water, to gel-like. Its main functions are moisturizing, cleansing the skin and preparing the epidermis for further cosmetic procedures after make-up removal.
What is a face toner for?
In recent years, Korean caring and decorative cosmetics have become very popular. This is not surprising, since this product is of a fairly high quality, reasonable price and unique components. One of these Korean-made products, which is gaining more and more fans, is toner.
Do not confuse two different concepts - toner and toner. The latter is a product that is "intermediate" in the three-stage European system of facial care: cleansing, toning, moisturizing. With its help, the hardness of the water is neutralized, the pH of the skin returns to normal. After using the tonic, other cosmetic preparations fit better and more evenly.
Toner is a product that belongs to the "large Korean cosmetic family" for the care of the epidermis. It is incorrect to believe that this drug, unlike the tonic more familiar to Europeans, does not contain alcohol. Toner can be either alcoholic or alcohol-free. In this case, one should not be afraid of alcohol in the composition of the product. Alcohol is an excellent preservative. If there is a little of it in the toner, then it will not dry the skin.
Koreans, as a rule, call toner "refresher", "skin softner". It is part of a multi-stage care system. Unlike European, Korean includes about seven stages. The minimum number of steps is five: cleansing with foam, intermediate moisturizing with toner, exposure to essence (concentrate), basic moisturizing and nourishment, sunscreen care. This scheme is suitable for the morning preparation of the epidermis.
But in the evening, the Korean system is much more voluminous. As a rule, the care includes about ten stages: cleansing with a hydrophilic oil, cleansing with an aqueous preparation, intermediate moisturizing with toner, exposure to essences, basic nutrition or moisturizing, care for the epidermis under the eyes, a cloth mask, treatment of problem areas (acne, blackheads, inflammations), ultimate face cream, overnight mask.
Not every European woman will go for such lengthy skin care procedures in the mornings and evenings. However, regardless of the number of stages, toner is an extremely useful tool, and it must be used after basic cleansing and make-up removal.
After cleaning the skin, it becomes minimally protected and especially susceptible to environmental irritants. Therefore, she desperately needs help in the form of the lightest possible formula containing nutritional components - vitamins, amino acids, minerals. It is these beneficial substances that the toner supplies to the epidermis.
After the primary balance of water in the skin is restored, you can carry out other, more active procedures, using concentrated creams, essences and serums. Keep in mind that a slightly damp sponge will absorb moisture much faster than a completely dry one. The same goes for the skin of the face.
Varieties of face toners
Typically, Korean cosmetics include a huge number of ingredients. It can be difficult to find the right toner, as the large assortment can be confusing.
Toners can be conventionally divided into several types:
- Alcohol … Their formula includes alcohol, which has an astringent effect on the epidermis. If there is not much of it in the composition of the product, then it can be used without fear. But if there is a lot of alcohol, then such a product will not have the best effect on the skin. This toner promotes the formation of free radicals, which reduce the ability of the epidermis to repair itself and produce collagen. And the task of a quality toner is precisely to avoid the appearance of free radicals and prevent premature aging of the skin.
- Water-glycerin … Glycolic toners with fragrances can also be added to this category. Koreans call such means "refreshers". In most cases, such preparations do not provide the skin with a noticeable cosmetic effect. They are more likely to serve as a light perfume. In addition, overly scented toners can irritate the epidermis.
- Aquatic … The composition of such toners includes purified structured or thermal water, as well as a number of useful components: antioxidants, niacinamides, vitamins, and more. This is the most recommended type of this face care product.
Basically, the composition of toners for the skin of the face contains minerals, hyaluronic acid, collagen, panthenol, natural oils, concentrates of herbs and fruits. Some toners contain over fifty active ingredients.
Features of choosing the best face toner
The choice of toners is huge, especially if you select a product on specialized Korean cosmetic sites. In order not to be mistaken in this matter, we offer an overview of the most popular products that have proven themselves well among consumers:
- Dr. Clear magic toner … An excellent moisturizer from The Skin House brand. Normalizes sebum production, refreshes and soothes irritated epidermis. It has a convenient spray form.
- Moistfull Collagen Facial Toner … The drug is from the Etude House trademark. The composition includes hydrolyzed collagen, which increases the elasticity and density of the epidermis. Also contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids. From the "original" components of the product - betaine and baobab concentrate. They intensively nourish and moisturize the skin.
- Skin and AC Mild Clear Toner … This product is manufactured by Holika Holika. The product helps to even out the skin relief, to bring the pH back to normal. Effectively combats excessive sebum production.
- Super Aqua Ice Tear Toner … The manufacturer of this tool is Missha. The toner contains purified sea and mineral water, damask rose extract. The drug effectively cleanses, moisturizes the epidermis, nourishes it with macro- and microelements, activates cellular metabolism, skin regeneration, removes harmful substances from cells, tones up and relieves irritation.
- Skin clearing toner moist … This cosmetic product is produced by the Korean company Skin79. The drug has a pronounced rejuvenating effect, retains useful water in the cells of the epidermis. Effectively normalizes the production of sebum and participates in the regenerative processes of the skin.
How to use facial toner
Toner is a cosmetic that is more about moisturizing and nourishing than cleansing the skin. Like any other product from the multi-step Korean dermis care system, toners require a special approach to use.
General rules on how to apply a moisturizing face toner
According to the recommendations of Korean cosmetologists, after cleansing the skin, it should take no more than three seconds before using the toner. It is during this short period of time that the pores of the epidermis are maximally open to absorb nutrients and moisture.
If you do not have time to invest in this time, then the whole moisturizing procedure can go down the drain. After washing, the moisture level in the skin drops sharply. Such drying out leads to dehydration of the epidermis and, over time, threatens with early aging of the face.
After washing your face with a mild cleanser, pat dry your face with a paper towel and apply toner immediately. You can skip the drying step and use the toner on a wet face. In order not to waste precious time, keep it near the sink and use it immediately after water treatment.
How to use toner to refresh your face
Skin refreshing toners are called refreshers. This is a special category of products that have the lightest texture. They may contain a little alcohol and are designed to refresh and tone the epidermis.
Perfect for oily and combination skin care. Refresher dryers should not be used.
Apply a product in this category to your face using a cotton pad. Thus, you will not only moisturize the skin and nourish it with useful substances, but also remove all the particles of sebum remaining after washing.
Applying toner to nourish the skin
Another subgroup of toners is responsible for nourishing the epidermis. They are called skins. They have a denser texture and are recommended to be applied with fingertips. This way you can achieve the maximum moisturizing effect.
The product should be applied to the fingers and patted on the skin of the face. All movements should be smooth and soft. Also, during this procedure, it is useful to carry out a light massage of the epidermis. Thus, the toner will better penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin.
During the procedure, do not rub your face, but gently drive into the epidermis with your fingertips until completely absorbed.
Using toner as a face mask
If your skin is very dry and requires special care, you can make a mask using toner. The product for these purposes must have a thick gel-like texture.
Apply it to the epidermis with your fingers in a thick layer, evenly distributing it over the face. Leave the toner on the skin for 10-15 minutes. During this time, all the nutrients are absorbed into the cells. If after this time a thin layer of toner remains on the epidermis, then it can be carefully removed with a cotton pad, without rubbing the face.
How to make a do-it-yourself face toner at home
Homemade facial toners tend to cleanse and tone the skin rather than moisturize and nourish it. However, he, like the store, perfectly prepares the epidermis for further manipulations.
There are many recipes for such remedies. We offer you to consider the most popular moisturizing face toners with your own hands:
- Mint toner … We take one and a half cups of pure water, bring it to a boil and add a glass of chopped mint leaves. Leave to infuse for half an hour. Then we filter and pour the product into a clean glass container. Store in the refrigerator.
- Basil toner … Grind the basil leaves in the amount of one glass and put in one and a half glasses of hot water. Leave to infuse for 30 minutes. We filter and use after washing. Store in a cool place.
- Laurel toner … An excellent remedy for problem skin, it is an antiseptic and a natural pore cleaner. Fill a few laurel leaves with a glass of water and put them on the fire to boil. Cook until the volume of liquid evaporates twice. Cool and strain the broth. We use it every evening and morning after washing.
- Ginger Toner … Perfectly cleans pores and eliminates breakouts. Grind 100 grams of ginger root and pour a glass of hot water. We insist and filter. We put the finished mixture in the refrigerator.
- Tomato toner … A good firming and moisturizing agent. To prepare it, squeeze the juice from one tomato, wipe the skin with cotton pads dipped in it. When the liquid dries on the face, it is recommended to wash it off with cool clean water or wipe the skin with micellar water.
- Watermelon Toner … Nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helps to eliminate fine wrinkles. Squeeze the juice from the watermelon and filter it. Store in the refrigerator for no more than four days. We use to wipe the skin in the morning and evening.
What is face toner - look at the video:
If you are wondering which product helps cleanse and moisturize your skin at the same time, then rest assured that this is a face toner. The product was developed by Korean cosmetologists and is an intermediate in the complex and multi-stage process of daily facial skin care. However, you can use it immediately after washing, before applying a moisturizer.
