Can toner replace moisturizer?

What toner and moisturizer each do

Many modern toners are water based and can hydrate skin, remove traces of dirt or makeup, and help other products absorb. That can leave skin feeling hydrated, but it is not the same job as helping prevent water loss; product labels are not job descriptions. Moisturizers do that by adding moisture and helping keep it in, while emollients form a protective film over the skin. Toner has also changed its brief: older alcohol based formulas were often drying and irritating, while newer formulas are generally more soothing. Toners are not all interchangeable, either. Some contain exfoliating acids that target concerns such as clogged pores or uneven texture. If you use toner for a particular effect, changes can take six weeks to three months, and may be subtle.13

How to layer toner and moisturizer

1. 1Cleanse your face.
2. 2Apply toner right after cleansing by gently swiping or spraying it on. Leave it on; there is no need to rinse.
3. 3Apply moisturizer after toner. For dry skin, put it on soon after washing while your skin is still damp, which helps trap water.

You can use toner once or twice a day, depending on how your skin tolerates it and what else you use. If it contains strong acids or other potentially irritating active ingredients, start every other day and increase use gradually if your skin tolerates it. Rinsing off a leave on step would be skincare's least exciting magic trick, so leave the toner on as directed.1

Choose moisturizer for your skin type

If your skin is dry, choose a cream or ointment rather than relying on toner or a light lotion. Creams are thicker and more hydrating than lotions, and ointments hold in moisture most effectively. Creams are often easier to wear during the day; ointments are thick and greasy, so they can suit very dry skin at night. With oily skin, some people can skip moisturizer or use a lighter gel. Combination skin can be treated by moisturizing dry areas and skipping oily areas; your cheeks and nose do not need to sign the same moisturizer policy. If your skin is sensitive, avoid toners that are heavily fragranced or contain a lot of dyes and preservatives, which can irritate skin. If you have rosacea and use prescription products, take care when adding toner and consider whether your skin tolerates it.12

Do you need moisturizer after toner?

Usually, toner comes before moisturizer. If your skin feels dry or tight, use moisturizer after toner rather than expecting a watery product to do both jobs. Moisturizer texture depends on your skin: a gel feels lighter, a cream is richer, and an ointment is the thickest option. If moisturizer feels too heavy on oily areas, you can use a lighter gel or leave those areas bare rather than treating toner as a replacement.12

Can you use toner without moisturizer?

You can use toner on its own, but that does not make it a moisturizer. If your skin is comfortable without an extra step, you do not have to add products just to make a routine longer. For oily skin, a dermatologist may suggest skipping moisturizer or choosing a gel. If your skin is dry, toner alone is less likely to provide the richer moisture and water retention a cream or ointment offers.2

Is toner enough for dry skin?

Usually not. For dry skin, choose a cream or ointment and apply it soon after washing while the skin is damp. If dryness is red, cracked, itchy, stinging, or comes with a rash, it can be more than ordinary dryness. Arrange a dermatology appointment if it gets worse or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding, stinging, or very irritating.2