To Tone or not to Tone-That is the question!
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:45 pm

So how important is using a toner in your daily skin care routine? I currently use one, but Im always in a hurry to either get out of the house to go to work or in a hurry to go to bed! So is a toner really necessary? Are there added benefits that I might not know about? Educate me. Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:19 pm

I don't use it, because I don't understand how it can help my skin. The way I see it is, if your cleanser leaves residue, then you need a toner to remove the residue. And then, I don't see the point of having that cleanser if it cannot do its job right in the first place.

Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:51 pm

I believe 98% of the cleansers out there can make your face oily because they tend get rid of all the oil instead of the excessive oil on the face.

when your face lacks oil, it would start producing oil on its own and therefore your face would look oily even after using the cleanser.

so, using a toner after cleansing is a good idea to balance the pH on your face, to make it not oily.

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:04 pm

That is why I use Cetaphil.

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:16 pm

hellobicycle wrote:

so, using a toner after cleansing is a good idea to balance the pH on your face, to make it not oily.

My skin is less oily ever since I started using a toner. I use the Yonka Lotion PNG (Normal/Oily Skin).

Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:00 pm

I agree that my skin is less oily after using toner so I don't miss this step in my skincare routine.

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:16 pm

I have never been a toner person...lord knows I've tried! I just recently tried a spritz toner, instead of having to use a cotton pad. I was thinking it might be laziness Laughing

Alas, this toner dried my skin out, so I'm resigning myself to a toner-free existence. I've tried all kinds and not really seen results enough to make me continue to use it. But, this could all change, I'll probably try it again when I find a new toner to try. It's a vicious cycle Laughing

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:35 pm

i only use my toner when it's hot and humid for a quick clean up in the middle of the day. i don't use it in my regular routine.

free skin care · Wed Jan 02, 2008 11:44 pm

A toner is necessary to return your skin back to a neutral PH level after the cleanser leaves it at an acidic PH. There are threads about this subject in more detail. When the skin is neutral everything else put on after works better.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:06 am

I have a dry skin and i really dont use a toner at all. I have tried it and makes my face feel dehydrated. I guess if you have oily skin then it is good for you.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:23 am

I prefer to use the lotion.
However, I believe that this step is not obligatory. My mother and grandma have never use the toner or lotion, but their skins look well.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:18 am

I notice that most of the product using on a damp face will be more effective, so I always use a toner to keep my face damp and then apply cream, this work real good for my dry skin!

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:33 am

It's my understanding that a toner is not necessary if the pH of your cleanser is around 5.5 or so. It can be hard to determine the pH of your cleanser though unless you've got some of those testing strips handy. An EDS member not long ago was going to compile a list of the pH values of a lot of cleansers and put it in a thread here; I've been keeping an eye out for that. Dianna Yvonne has a list on her site which is helpful but some of the cleansers I'm curious about aren't included.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:46 am

mamawalnut wrote:

It's my understanding that a toner is not necessary if the pH of your cleanser is around 5.5 or so. It can be hard to determine the pH of your cleanser though unless you've got some of those testing strips handy. An EDS member not long ago was going to compile a list of the pH values of a lot of cleansers and put it in a thread here; I've been keeping an eye out for that. Dianna Yvonne has a list on her site which is helpful but some of the cleansers I'm curious about aren't included.

I have bookmarked Tangal's post on products and wait times regarding actives. Your post reminded me about it so I'll repost it in case anyone is interested.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=18360

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:58 am

I always use one as its important to close pores and as one ages open pores are a nuisance especially when you wear make up. I only use rosewater as a toner which I find great but when I was younger I never used a toner just a cleanser and toner combined but I found a that it did not remove all the make up maybe its an individual thing!

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:24 pm

I use one without alcohol. I use Decleor's but I would recommend using pure rosewater (chilled in the fridge). Your skin will look lovely once you use rosewater.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:36 pm

VL wrote:

I use one without alcohol. I use Decleor's but I would recommend using pure rosewater (chilled in the fridge). Your skin will look lovely once you use rosewater.

Sounds nice. And refreshing for the hotter months if chilled in the fridge. Smile

Forgive me for being so ignorant about where to buy such things, but can rosewater be purchased at?

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:10 pm

Hi,
you are not ignorant...it is not widely talked about.

I think you should find it in any pharmacy store.

I keep the rosewater in the fridge even in winters. It closes the pores and is good chilled. The smell is divine too!

Hope this helps,
VL

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:21 pm

I've only recently started using a toner in my nighttime cleansing routine, but after what I've seen, I plan on continuing! No matter what cleanser I used, I've been getting additional makeup residue come off on the cotton pad after using the toner. That's enough reason for me to contiue using it. It was actually a sample of the toner from Best Bath Store that got me started. I like it because it doesn't feel drying at all - it feels like it gives my face back some of the moisture that was taken away by the cleanser.

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:31 pm

VL wrote:

Hi,
you are not ignorant...it is not widely talked about.

I think you should find it in any pharmacy store.

I keep the rosewater in the fridge even in winters. It closes the pores and is good chilled. The smell is divine too!

Hope this helps,
VL

Yes this does help, thank you. Very Happy

And I can always use something that closes up my pores!

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 1:31 pm

Nymue wrote:

I've only recently started using a toner in my nighttime cleansing routine, but after what I've seen, I plan on continuing! No matter what cleanser I used, I've been getting additional makeup residue come off on the cotton pad after using the toner. That's enough reason for me to contiue using it. It was actually a sample of the toner from Best Bath Store that got me started. I like it because it doesn't feel drying at all - it feels like it gives my face back some of the moisture that was taken away by the cleanser.

Hmmmm..... Best Bath Store. I dont think Ive heard of it before.

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:33 am

angelwings1226 wrote:

Hmmmm..... Best Bath Store. I dont think Ive heard of it before.

I read about their website on here awhile back. They offer free samples, you just have to pay for shipping. I tried their facial bar, acne gel, dead sea salt exfoliator, and toner. I liked the exfoliator and toner the best.

Here's the link, if you want to take a look: http://www.bestbathstore.com/

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 12:24 pm

I never used to think toner was necessary, as I have drier skin as I get older, and old-school astringent-type toners were always for oily skin. But now I use a gentle alcohol-free toner to help re-balance the pH of my face, and I think it definitely helps.

The one I use is MyChelle's Fruit Enzyme Mist, and it smells divine and has lots of good antioxidant benefits for my skin. I notice that I break out more AND get flaky more when I skip it.

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 3:21 pm

Nymue wrote:

angelwings1226 wrote:

Hmmmm..... Best Bath Store. I dont think Ive heard of it before.

I read about their website on here awhile back. They offer free samples, you just have to pay for shipping. I tried their facial bar, acne gel, dead sea salt exfoliator, and toner. I liked the exfoliator and toner the best.

Here's the link, if you want to take a look: http://www.bestbathstore.com/

Thank you, I will have to check it out!

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 4:04 pm

I started using the BBS toner just because I had it lying around and wanted to use it up, but I think it does help to add some moisture to my dry skin. It helps to reduce the crepey lines under my right eye, which was my problem area (got these lines when I used to rub my right eye like crazy when it was itchy). It seems my skin looks more hydrated as well by adding the toner to my routine, but I have reduced the other stuff I put on my face, so the total time to get ready is only 5 minutes after I wash my face. My routine is pretty simple now. I think you can get away with just cleanse, tone, and moisturize in the morning.

RE: BBS products I've tried, I also like their toner the best. I can't use their shampoo. I'm allergic to something in it. I also don't find their body lotion hydrating enough for some reasons.

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