Did you know that the beauty industry is worth more than $532 billion USD? After all, everyone wants to know what product will make them look younger and what will make their skin clearer and brighter. Skin toning is a great way to give yourself tight, clear skin, but you shouldn’t dive into toning right away.
Instead, you will need to follow a skincare routine to prep your skin before using any toner. You will also need to care for your skin after using toner. Otherwise, your skin might not have the look you were going for.
Keep reading below to learn more about the steps in a good skincare routine and how to use toner.
1. Choose the Right Toner
Most traditional types of toner, sometimes known as astringents, contain some level of alcohol. If you have ever used this type of toner before, you should know the feeling that an alcoholic toner can create. Usually, you will feel a harsh stinging sensation as soon as the toner hits your face.
Many people tend to think, “Wow! With a feeling like that, the toner must be working!” However, while an alcohol-based toner may seem to improve your skin tone, it may actually be causing damage to your skin. Alcohol-based toners strip your skin of any oil you might have in your pores.
While that may sound like a good thing, it may actually cause your body to produce more oil as a reaction. This is because if your skin has no oil, it will be too dry. The alcohol itself may also break down your skin cells and damage them.
To enjoy the pore-tightening benefits of toner, always pick a toner that doesn’t have any alcohol. A witch-hazel toner is a good choice because it is soothing and can help your skin retain its natural moisture. Rosewater is another good choice, but always be sure to check the ingredients to see that they’re no alcohol.
2. Use the Right Cleanser
Many people make the mistake of using a bar of soap in their face care routine. If you want glowing skin, you’ll have to ditch the bar soap right away. That’s because bars of soap are often filled with ingredients that are not so great for your skin such as fragrances and dyes.
They may also leave a film of residue on your skin which may end up creating irritation and blotches. Instead, you should opt for a high-quality cleanser that’s right for your skin. If you have acne-prone skin, try looking for a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
If you have dry skin, you should avoid cleansers that might strip your skin of oil such as foaming cleansers. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, foaming cleansers might be the perfect choice for you. By choosing the right cleanser, you can prepare your skin for the toner you plan to use.
3. Remember to Exfoliate
After you use your cleanser and before you use toner, you should exfoliate. However, exfoliating every day can be irritating to your skin. Instead, you should aim to exfoliate two or three times every week.
How to exfoliate skin doesn’t have to be difficult, but you should know what to avoid. For example, cleansers with exfoliating beads are often irritating to the skin and can scratch your skin cells. Chemical exfoliators may also be damaging to your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Instead, using a simple washcloth is often your best bet. A washcloth is soft enough yet strong enough to take off any excess dead skin from the surface of your face. It also shouldn’t irritate your skin because it contains no harmful chemicals.
Use the washcloth in gentle, circular motions across your face. You should never scrub up and down or back and forth. Scrubbing can pull your skin and damage its elasticity which may create wrinkles in the future.
4. Tone Your Face with Cotton
When it’s time to use your toner, you should always use a cotton ball or cotton rounds. That’s because cotton is very gentle on the face and you won’t end up creating any scratches on your skin. Cotton also won’t pull on your skin.
People make the mistake of applying toner to a paper towel or toilet paper, but these papers can often damage the skin. When you apply your toner, gently swipe the cotton ball across your skin. Again, you should never drag or pull your skin.
Don’t forget to apply the toner to your neck either. Keep applying the toner until you no longer see any dirt on the cotton ball.
5. Let the Toner Dry and Apply a Moisturizer
After you’re done applying the toner, you should always give it time to dry before putting on any more products. As your toner dries, you should feel it tightening your pores, but it shouldn’t sting or make your skin feel dry or uncomfortable. Using a fan on your face will help the toner dry faster.
Once it’s dry, you should never forget to apply a moisturizer. A good moisturizer will help to protect your skin barrier. Put some moisturizer on your fingertips and gently dab it across your face.
Don’t forget to apply your moisturizer to your eyelids since the skin there is very delicate and prone to damage.
Everything You Need to Know About Skin Toning
As you have learned, skin toning is more than using skin toner (although that is a big part of it). By exfoliating, choosing the right toners and cleansers, and applying your products in the right way, you can end up with glowing and healthy skin.
To learn more, check out the beauty section on our website.