Korean skin care routines have long been known and continue to gain popularity. No wonder - they are not only effective in cleansing, but also nourish your skin with their high-quality ingredients. An important step in this sequence is the toner. You can not only cleanse your face and other areas with it. Find out exactly what tonic does, how to use it, and which product is right for you here!
Toner: Cleanse and prepare face, neck, and décolleté
So what exactly is toner? The liquid, which is also often referred to as tonic, is the step in your routine that bridges the gap between cleansing and care. Its main task is not only to free your skin from impurities, but also to prepare it for the application of subsequent products.
A small step in your routine - a big leap for your skin
Perhaps you're thinking: Isn't that actually micellar water? Not quite: While the common product here performs a 2-in-1 task - namely cleansing and care - the toner prepares your face, neck and décolleté for the next steps. However, this only happens after you have already thoroughly cleansed your skin. You can also read about how the classic 10 Steps Korean Skincare Routine works on our website.
For your skincare products to fully unleash their effects, you need to balance the pH value of your epidermis. Due to various environmental influences, sebum deposits, or limescale residues from washing, an imbalance slowly but surely arises. While water has a pH value of 7.0 to 8.5, your skin's ideal pH is around 5.5. And even if a healthy organ can balance this out on its own over time, there's nothing wrong with a little help. This is where toner comes in.
Depending on your skin type, it can also support you with other problems through different ingredients. More on that later. Here you can see some possible functions it can take on:
- prepare the skin
- balance the pH value
- ensure deep cleansing
- remove dead skin cells
- prevent impurities
- reduce pigment spots and redness
- ensure a radiant complexion
- introduce nourishing ingredients into the skin
- provide moisture
How to use toner
You can incorporate the product into your routine both mornings and evenings. First, follow the usual steps until your skin is completely cleansed. If there are still some dirt particles on it, the tonic will completely remove them. Now apply the toner to your face, neck, and décolleté, depending on its intended use.
It is often recommended to use a cotton pad for this. However, this absorbs a lot of the valuable liquid. Instead, put a little of it on your clean fingers and gently pat the product into your skin. Avoid the eye and mouth area. Although it is liquid, it works immediately and absorbs quite quickly. You should notice a difference right away. You don't need to wash it off. Instead, apply your preferred day or night cream afterwards.
Some toners also come in the form of a spray. These are particularly refreshing on hot summer days. For application, about 2-3 sprays directly onto the face are sufficient. Don't forget to close your eyes and mouth. Afterwards, work it in again using the Korean tapping technique.
Skin Types - Finding the Right Face Toner
While there are all-rounders in the world of toners, we recommend that you look for a product that is directly tailored to your skin type. We have listed which ingredients might work well for you and corresponding product recommendations.
Generally, we recommend avoiding products that contain many unnecessary colorants, fragrances, and preservatives. These can irritate or dry out your skin unnecessarily. Instead, opt for cosmetics with natural ingredients. But be careful, alcohol can also be present here. So pay close attention to which ingredients are suitable for you and which are not. If you are unsure, you can also test products on an inconspicuous area, for example behind your ear.
Normal Skin
If you have normal skin, finding a middle ground is especially important. Help your face clear impurities without clogging it with a lot of fuss. This way you achieve a healthy glow.
For this skin type, we recommend an alcohol-free toner. This can gently cleanse your face and other areas, providing an extra boost of moisture. Nutrient-rich or refreshing tonics with peppermint oil are also worthwhile. Their anti-inflammatory properties help combat pimples and redness.
Combination Skin
Working with combination skin is not always easy. While the T-zone on the forehead, nose, and mouth tends to accumulate sebum, the rest of the face remains relatively dry. What you need is a balancing toner. A popular ingredient here is, for example, rosewater. This pure natural product is packed with vitamins B, C, and E, as well as valuable antioxidants. Of course, you can also combine two products and thus specifically address possible problem areas. Here are a few of our favorites for combination skin:
- Klairs Boost the Toner: With its pH-balancing and smoothing effect, it convinces not only us, but also other consumers. It contains a range of healing herbs that are good for you and your skin.
- Klairs Boost the Unscented Toner: Similar to the product above, but with even fewer ingredients. This is great if you tend to have slightly sensitive skin.
- Purito Centella Green Level All In One Mild Pad: A very interesting product because the toner doesn't come as a liquid or spray, but in the form of pre-soaked pads. You can also use these as a mini-mask and leave them on particularly demanding skin areas for 15 minutes.
- Toun28 + – pH Balancing Toner: Face, neck and décolleté receive a moisture boost here, while the pH value is balanced.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin often results from illnesses or hormonal breakouts. It is therefore especially important to avoid artificial fragrances, colorants, alcohol, and silicones. These can severely dry out or irritate your face. Instead, work with gentle ingredients like chamomile. Water-based toners also work very well.
Also take a look at ingredients and natural antioxidants, such as madecassoside. This compound from the tiger plant can help you reduce the appearance of scars and dark spots. Similarly, Houttuynia Cordata or Indian pennywort will support you in strengthening and revitalizing your skin.
Dry Skin
Do you have dry skin? What to do when it feels tight and itchy? Definitely do not use alcohol-based toners. This can only worsen your problem. Similar to sensitive skin types, you should opt for a water-based product. Choose tonics that provide moisture through nourishing oils and support you in the fight against tightness and flaky patches. Here are some toners that can restore the natural protective barrier of your face or other affected areas:
| Product | Ingredients | Effect |
| Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner |
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| Pyunkang Yul Mist Toner |
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| HaruHaru Wonder Black Bamboo Mist |
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| Benton Deep Green Tea Toner |
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Oily Skin
Oily skin can have many causes: everyday stress, hormonal fluctuations, an unsuitable diet, or simply a genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, excessive sebum production not only leads to clogged pores but also to an excessively shiny appearance.
Fortunately, there are a number of facial toners that prevent exactly that. Here's what you should look for when buying: Choose a toner with a light alcohol content and disinfecting effect. The drying effect mattifies your skin, degreases it, and closes pores. Ingredients like witch hazel or lemon extract are great for this.
Blemished Skin
Disinfecting or antibacterial toners are equally excellent for blemished skin. This also applies if you exercise a lot and tend to sweat heavily on your face. Toners of this type have both moisturizing and exfoliating effects. Clarifying and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as tea tree oil, salicylic acid, or rose water are particularly suitable. We recommend these products:
- Cosrx AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive: This cleanses and refreshes your skin in no time.
- Heimisch Refresh Water: Hydrates and balances the pH value, while also cleansing with its exfoliating effect.
- iUnik Tea Tree Relief Toner: Is a great product for beginners that moisturizes and fights both blemishes and irritations.
- Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner: Its natural ingredients can have a soothing, clarifying, and refreshing effect.
By the way: You can further enhance the effect by regularly using an exfoliator. In our shop you will find a large selection of suitable products. Do you want to learn what peeling is and how to use it? Then our blog is the right place for you!
Mature Skin
Mature skin needs intensive care. Because over time, it loses its firmness and elasticity. It is also important to protect it from harmful environmental influences. This includes free radicals, which are intermediate products of metabolism that are constantly formed in our cells. These are formed, for example, by smoking, strenuous physical work or sport, and UV rays.
To counteract all this, you should therefore opt for toners with an anti-aging effect. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, green tea, acerola extract, or magnesium are suitable for this. Snail slime products are also becoming increasingly popular.
However, it is always important to pay attention to the needs of your skin. If you are not sure which toner is right for you, please feel free to contact us. We at LoveMyCosmetics.de will be happy to advise you!
Further links
www.jolie.de/.../toner-gesicht-produkte-und-anwendung-209910.html
www.instyle.de/.../gesichtswasser
