Where does toner go in your routine?
For a routine without skin medication:
- 1Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
- 2Gently pat your face dry before applying toner.
- 3Apply your toner, then any spot treatment you normally use.
- 4Follow with moisturizer and, every morning, sunscreen.
- 5Apply makeup afterwards, if you wear it.
What does toner actually do?
Modern toners often hydrate skin or deliver ingredients aimed at concerns such as acne or signs of aging. Toner and cleanser do different jobs, even if both bottles look like water with a branding budget. Toner does not have the same cleansing power as a facial cleanser, so use it after cleaning your face rather than asking it to remove the day's grime.1
Micellar water belongs in the cleansing step, not the toner step. If you use micellar water to remove sunscreen or cosmetics, follow with a gentle cleanser before toner. The two watery products are not interchangeable just because they share a texture.1
Do you need toner after every wash?
No. A basic routine can move straight from cleansing to treatment, if needed, then moisturizer and sunscreen. The basic routine has room for fewer bottles than the bathroom shelf would like. Adding toner is a choice, not a requirement for completing the cleansing step. Using more products can irritate skin, especially when several products target signs of aging.2
What if you use a skin medication?
For skin medication, the general order is cleanser, medication, then moisturizer or sunscreen. Do not automatically insert toner between cleansing and a medicine that belongs directly on freshly cleansed skin. If you are unsure where toner fits alongside your treatment, ask your dermatologist about that combination rather than rearranging the treatment to accommodate another product.2
Should you use toner if you have acne?
During acne treatment, choose gentle products labelled "alcohol free" and avoid irritating toners, astringents and exfoliants. These can dry your skin and make acne appear worse. A toner marketed for acne is not automatically a useful addition to your treatment. Leave out a toner that irritates or dries your skin rather than continuing because it promises clearer skin. Acne treatment can take several weeks to a few months to show a difference; that is not a timetable for toner. If breakouts persist despite gentle care and treatment, see a dermatologist.3
Where this answer comes from
- 1Micellar Water: What It Is and How To Use Ithealth.clevelandclinic.org
- 2Should I apply my skin care products in a certain order?aad.org
- 3Acne: Tips for managingaad.org
