Toners: why?

Some may argue that toners are an essential step in the maintenance of a healthy complexion while others' suggest that the over-use of toners can further exacerbate problem skin conditions.

Let the debate begin!

Toners are not a new innovation of modern cosmetic technology. In actual fact the ancient Mayan culture used a specific skin-conditioning recipe consisting of cucumber, which has the same pH level as the skin, and lemon juice, which contains AHA's, to help nourish and soften the skin.

So the main role of toners is to assist in both the cleansing process and in balancing the pH of the skins' acid mantle after cleansers have stripped the skin of its protective shield (which is common after using chemical-based cleansers). Toners also help to remove the dead skin cells, make-up, grime and impurities that the cleanser has left behind. The use of a toner will also help to remove cleanser residue, which is particularly helpful when using cream cleansers.

Another role that toners accomplish is that they tighten the skins' pores by way of an astringing action and aid in decreasing the loss of moisture and improve the skin's ability to breathe.

There are different types of toners depending on your skin type: Skin bracers or fresheners; skin tonics; and astringents.

• Skin bracers, or fresheners, are mild toners and are suitable for dry, dehydrated, sensitive and normal skin types. A good example is classic scented rosewater (see bod's Organic Rose Hydrosol Toner).
• Skin tonics are best suited for normal, combination and oily skin. Orange flower water is a lovely skin tonic (see MyUtopia's Toner with Ginseng).
• Astringents are the strongest toner available and contain antiseptic ingredients. These are suitable for oily skin types and are best applied only to the problems area of the skin to prevent drying. Witch hazel constitutes an astringent toner, but the best kind usually contain calming ingredients as well, like lemon balm (see Mukti's Organic Herbal Toner)

Toners may also include a variety of ingredients to further protect the skin and assist in reducing free radical damage such as vitamin C. Vitamin B5 may be added to increase skin energetics. Also herbal extracts are often included to further improve skin dynamics.

If you are after the 'ants pants' or the 'bees knees' of toners, or "skin conditioners" then do not go past Miessence's Probiotic Skin Brightener. This skin conditioner is based on ferments to help exfoliate and revitalise the skin. It also contains various good bacteria and yeast to re-balance the skin's own unique bacterial colonisation. This may help the skin to prevent pimple break-outs due to the invasion of bad bacteria such as Staphylococcus ssp.

So it appears that toners are more than just 'another step' in the daily beauty routine. They help to astringe pores, clarify and revitalise the skin, exfoliate and control sebum production.

If you have sensitive skin, or are not a fan of over-cleansing (yes – it is possible to over-cleanse your skin!) I find that cleansing once at night is sufficient, and in the morning just swipe some toner over your face with a cotton ball. Your skin will thank you for it!