QUESTION: Do I need a toner?
Facial toner is an additional skincare step that is not strictly mandatory, but can significantly improve skin condition when chosen correctly. Historically, toners were used to restore the skin's normal pH balance after hard tap water, but modern formulas perform many more useful functions.
The choice of a specific cosmetic product should be based on your skin's individual needs and its current condition. Depending on the composition, toners can perform completely different tasks:
When buying a cosmetic product, it is extremely important to carefully study the ingredients and avoid products containing a high percentage of alcohol (alcohol denat). Alcohol in toners heavily dries out the skin, destroys its protective hydrolipid barrier, and provokes increased sebum production as a defensive reaction.
Many people successfully manage completely without toner in their daily routine, and this is completely normal. If your cleansing gel does not tighten your skin, and your serums and creams provide a sufficient level of hydration and nourishment, you can safely skip this step without any harm to skin health.