How to use face toner properly

Which kind of toner should you use?

Adding toner is optional, even if the bottle looks very committed to the job. For hydration, look for ingredients such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid. If your skin is dry or sensitive, avoid drying alcohol and heavily fragranced formulas. Toners containing glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid exfoliate, meaning they remove dead skin cells, so they need a more cautious schedule than a gentle hydrating toner.123

Test a new toner before using it on your face

Apply your usual amount to a spot about the size of a quarter on the underside of your arm or the bend of your elbow, twice daily for seven to 10 days. Choose somewhere the product will not be rubbed or washed away, and leave it on for its normal application time. If the area does not become red, itchy or swollen, you can start using the toner on your face. Testing helps predict a reaction before a full face application.4

How to apply toner

1. 1Remove makeup and wash your face with a gentle cleanser. Toner comes after cleansing, not instead of it.
2. 2Apply the toner gently. Use a cotton pad, pat it on with clean hands, or mist it directly if it is a spray. A cotton pad and clean hands are both ways to apply toner, so there is no compulsory accessory purchase.
3. 3Leave a leave on toner on your skin. A hydrating toner can be applied while your skin is still damp.
4. 4Continue with the rest of your routine, applying thinner textures before thicker ones, and finish with moisturizer. Keep daily sun protection in your routine too.

Should you use toner morning and night?

A gentle toner can be used once or twice daily, in the morning, at night, or both. There is no need to add a second daily application if one fits your routine. For a toner with strong acids or potentially irritating active ingredients, start every other day and increase only as your skin tolerates it.1

When should you be more careful?

Exfoliating toner needs extra care if you use retinol, prescription retinoids or benzoyl peroxide: adding exfoliation can worsen dryness or cause breakouts. Avoid exfoliating skin with open cuts, wounds or sunburn. Strong exfoliation can increase dark spots, especially in darker skin tones or skin that develops dark marks after irritation. Use moisturizer afterward, and ask a dermatologist about adding exfoliation if you are unsure how it fits your existing products.3

If toner causes a skin reaction, gently wash it off and stop using it. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help relieve the skin. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and those measures do not relieve it, or if you cannot identify what keeps causing irritation.4

How long does toner take to work?

Visible changes can take six weeks to three months and can be subtle. Toners targeting acne or uneven pigmentation can take about two to three months. Acid toners can unclog pores and smooth texture, making pores look smaller, but they do not permanently shrink genetically determined pore size.1