Can I use face toner after a workout?

Wash first, even if you plan to use toner

After exercise, washing clears sweat, oils and bacteria from your skin and helps keep pores clean. If you cannot shower, at least wash your face with a gentle cleanser labeled noncomedogenic, meaning formulated not to clog pores. Toner belongs after cleansing, not in the vacancy left by a missing face wash. Applying toner is not a substitute for that cleanup.12

How to use toner after exercise

1. 1Wash your hands before touching your face. Cleanse gently after sweating, without scrubbing.
2. 2Use warm rather than very hot water. If you shower, keep it under five minutes to limit drying, and pat your skin dry rather than rubbing.
3. 3Apply your toner after cleansing. Let your skin dry completely before layering on serum or moisturizer.
4. 4Follow with a fragrance free moisturizer. Oily skin needs moisturizer too.
5. 5If you are heading outdoors, use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

Which kind of toner makes sense?

Choose by the job you want the toner to do. Some formulas help retain moisture, some gently exfoliate, and others help regulate excess oil. Different toners do different jobs, which makes the word 'toner' more of a shelf label than a shopping plan. A moisture focused formula and an exfoliating formula should not be treated as interchangeable just because both come in bottles.1

For oily skin, salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid can help reduce oiliness, but they can also be too harsh. Stop using the product or use it less often if your skin becomes irritated. Alcohol and witch hazel in harsh toner formulas can leave skin irritated and dry. If your skin already feels dry or sensitive, do not choose a toner simply because it promises to remove more oil.13

Does every workout need another round of skincare?

For oily skin, cleanse up to twice daily and after sweating. Treat that as cleansing guidance, not a reason to add an extra exfoliating session after every workout. More aggressive washing is not a better way to control shine: a harsh face wash can irritate skin and trigger increased oil production. Keep the wash gentle rather than trying to leave your face completely stripped of oil.3

What if you only brought toner?

If no cleanser is available, rinse with lukewarm water rather than relying on toner alone. Water alone can help prevent breakouts after exercise. During your workout, gently pat sweat away with a clean towel instead of rubbing. Before your next session, remove makeup with a gentle cleanser so you are not exercising with makeup mixed into sweat.2

When should you change the routine?

Dryness, itchiness, irritation or scaling are reasons to review how often and how harshly you wash. Frequent showers can remove moisture and weaken the skin's protective barrier. If excess oil, blackheads or acne remain a problem, see a dermatologist rather than continuing to add stronger products.34