As a part of the skincare routine, regular application of toner can really improve your skin. Toner is the first step after washing your face. There are many options for toner, depending on how it is used. Some people use it directly on their face, while others pour it on a cotton pad as a toner mask.
Whether the toner is top of the list or an average toner, if you use it in the wrong way, you cannot expect to get the desired effect. Simply change the method of using your existing toner to enhance the beauty of your skin. In this post, we are going to show you how easy it is for even a rookie to start with.
What is toner?
Toner is used in everyday skincare routines after facial cleansing. The main ingredient is water, although different skincare ingredients are added depending on the function, and the texture can be watery, emulsion, or a semi-gel.
5 Steps to Complete Your Toner Maintenance
Step 1: Cotton pad for secondary clean-up
First, pour the toner onto a cotton pad, then hold the pad between your middle and ring finger and massage it in a bottom-up pattern to double cleanse your skin. This application is great in the morning to exfoliate and remove oil and dirt. It can also be used on the skin of your neck for cleansing and moisturising purpose at the same time.
For cotton pads, do not use any cotton pads that are too rough, as they may be harmful to delicate skin. The use of cotton pads is more suitable for lighter toners, which have a more refreshing effect on the skin.
Step 2: Use your hands to apply toner
By applying the toner with your hands , you can make the toner absorb and infuse more quickly. Again, smooth over the entire face and neck in an inward-to-outward, down-to-up direction to massage away any oedema.
For the eye area, you should gently massage, rather than press. Many people tend to pat toner into skin, which is not advisable for your skin as it increases friction and irritation. In addition, you do not need to use too much toner per use; only a 2-pound coin portion is required.
Step 3: Toner mask
A quick toner mask helps to smooth out the skin’s horny layer and make the skin appear more luminous. After washing your face, wet a cotton pad with water to the point where you can lightly squeeze it out and apply it to your T-zone, cheeks or chin for 3-5 minutes before proceeding with your skincare routine. Avoid using ingredients that stimulate the skin, such as alcohol or acids.
Leave on for 3 to 5 minutes before makeup to hydrate and refine pores for a more long-lasting makeup appearance.
Step 4. Gently wipe from the bottom up
When using toner to tighten pores, the direction of application is just as significant. A bottom-up wipe and lift helps to reduce friction on the pores and skin while helping to firm the skin.
Step 5: Immediately use moisturiser after toner
If you want to minimise pores, it is important that skin is well moisturised, which is why the synergy of toner and moisturiser is so valuable. Most people assume that they should put on their skincare products before the toner is fully absorbed.
In fact, the right time is when toner has just been absorbed, and the surface of your skin is a bit more moist. Afterwards, the next skincare product will be more spreadable and better absorbed.
You might be interested: The 10 Best Facial Moisturisers of 2022
There are 2 points to keep in mind in order not to ruin the performance of your toner:
Don’t forget to moisturise
The benefits of moisturising are to replenish hydration from the outside and to maintain skin moisturisation. Toner is a hydrating and preserving formula, but it is water-based. It hardly prevents water from evaporating. Use a toner to moisturise the skin and a lotion or cream to lock in the moisture and stop it from evaporating. These are the basics of skincare.
Moisturise as soon as possible
Moisturising is about “not losing moisture”, and if you leave it too long between toners, the effect will be reduced by half. Therefore, there is a proper time to hydrate your skin. After the toner has penetrated into the skin, apply the moisturiser right away. If you apply moisturiser without pressing and leave the toner on the skin, it will mix with the moisturiser and will not be as productive. Once you feel that the toner has “penetrated thoroughly”, then carry on with your moisturiser.
NUWA BeautyLab’ s favourite toner will not only boost the hydration on your skin, but also achieve product sustainability and eliminate animal testing brands. Check here to see more.