Comments on: Toners: Why you should use them, or not?

By: J. Tania

J. Tania — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:45:42 +0000

Very educational article, Jen. I learned plenty here. I’ve always wondered about toners and whether one was crucial in the steps to good cleansing.

My skin is so-ooooo oily, I used to take plain rubbing alcohol after washing and drying my face. And I would apply the alcohol as my er, toner or astringent. I know, dermatologists would be squirming, because I was inflaming my skin, not a good thing. And yet, alcohol was the only stuff that really tamed my oilness.

I don’t do that anymore, but I still refrain from a toner. I like Dr. Irwin’s philosophy on toners. But both arguments you present are equally intelligent.

By: pamela

pamela — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:22:44 +0000

I used to use toner, and my dermatologist told me I did not need to. I still like toner in hot summer months. I wonder if I need more moisturizer…that is something I need to buy.

By: Wendiva

Wendiva — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:08:24 +0000

wow…i was just wondering the other day, whether using a toner really helps at all! i use a sampar one, which has worked out really well. thanks for the post!

By: Jen Hill

Jen Hill — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:31:33 +0000

Great comments! Together we could probably come up with a pretty kick butt skincare line. After you complete your MBA Kate, let’s talk! One of my favorite toners is the Beauty Elixir from Caudalie; it is so refreshing to use!

Jami, do you react to both animal-based and vegetable-based glycerins? I know you have mentioned your sensitivity to glycerins before, and am thinking this is something I should look into. What are your favorite non-glycerin based products?

By: kate2004rock

kate2004rock — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:28:44 +0000

You could make your own very easily at home. Main ingredient: purified water then some softening essential oils that you can find at a tree-hugger store.

I agree that toners aren’t really necessary. And I never recommend them to clients that tell me they usually can’t be bothered to wash their face at night or that they “don’t wear makeup” (freakazoids). BUT, I love the idea of luxe-ness that the extra step toners give me. And I think that they can be great for drier-skins - why would you not want to saturate your fish-skin cells with water if that’s what they love? Besides all that, its a fabulous and pretty inexpensive way to punch up the appearance of your skin.

And a toner with alcohol is not a toner. It’s an astringent. And if you want that, buy Sea-Breeze.

By: Jami

Jami — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:22:23 +0000

I like most toners, especially pure witch hazel (without all the added alcohol) ones. But if a glycerin based one even comes through the front door my skin starts breaking out.
Glycerin and Jami just don’t mix. We’re like oil & vinegar.

By: Mo

Mo — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:05:54 +0000

The thing about witch hazel is that it’s about 70% ethanol(alcohol), so even though it’s a “natural” product it can be a poor choice for some skin types. (Source:Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients) A good toner has water or glycerin as its base and water binding agents(like Butylene Glycol), anything beyond that is a perk.
I like to use lavender hydrosol(flower water) as a toner, and if you like yours I don’t see why you shouldn’t use it as long as it isn’t doing damage (alcohol and irritants, etc). I think being happy with your skin is more important than following the “set” regimens anyways.