Is face toner necessary?

What happens if you skip toner?

You can still have a complete basic routine without it. In the morning, use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. At night, cleanse and moisturize. Skipping an optional product also limits expense and the risk of irritation from using several products, so your bathroom shelf does not need a full supporting cast.134

A gentle cleanser removes dirt, oil and debris. Limit washing to twice daily and after sweating to avoid irritation. If your skin tends to be dry, washing once daily, preferably in the evening, can be enough. Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to help trap water, including if your skin is oily. During the day, use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.34

What can toner actually do?

Toner is usually a water based liquid applied after cleansing and before moisturizer. Modern formulas often hydrate rather than strip away oil. They can remove leftover makeup or grime and increase hydration, which helps other products absorb. Acid toners can restore skin's natural acidity after cleansing and improve texture.2

Which toner is worth considering?

• For extra hydration, look for hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
• For clogged pores or uneven texture, glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid can help. Pores can look smaller, but their size is largely genetic.
• For sensitive skin, avoid heavily fragranced formulas and those with lots of dyes.

For fragrance avoidance, choose a product labelled fragrance free rather than relying on "unscented." Unscented products can contain fragrance to mask other smells. Fragrances are the most common cause of contact dermatitis from cosmetics, meaning skin inflammation caused by contact with a product. A toner is still a cosmetic, not an exemption from reading the ingredients.5

How do you use toner?

1. 1Cleanse your face gently.
2. 2Swipe or spray toner onto your face without rubbing hard. Leave it on rather than rinsing.
3. 3Follow with moisturizer, then sunscreen in the morning.

Toner can be used once or twice daily. Morning use after cleansing is one option; using it at night is also possible. With strong acids or potentially irritating active ingredients, start every other day and increase only as tolerated. Expect subtle changes over six weeks to three months, rather than an immediate transformation.2

When should you leave toner out?

If you use prescription skincare, do not automatically insert toner between cleansing and your medicine. The usual order is cleanser, medication or treatment, then moisturizer and sunscreen. Follow your treatment's directions, and ask your dermatologist where an added toner belongs if you are unsure. Be especially careful about adding products if you have rosacea and already use prescriptions.26

Adding several products increases the chance of dryness and irritation, particularly when more than one targets signs of aging. Introduce fewer new products at once, and test a new product before making it part of your routine. Toner is optional even when the bottle promises several benefits.16

Stop using a toner that causes irritation and make an appointment with a dermatologist. Watch for burning, itching, swelling, or an itchy, scaly rash. A reaction can develop after repeated use rather than on the first application, and cosmetic allergy can appear even after years without problems. A dermatologist can use patch testing to investigate a suspected allergy.15