***This post contains gifted and non-gifted items. Also gifted mentions present. All links used are affiliate***
Ah toners, remember when they were the butt joke of the community and everyone proclaimed they are not important? From toners to essences, I’m here to tell you, why I can’t live without it and why! Are you ready for a new skin? Let's go!
I must admit, I buy way too many toners and for the most part, they are one of the most refreshing and enjoyable parts of my routine. But with so many types available on a market, I’d like to talk to you about differences between acid and hydrating toners, toner vs essence and face mists and why I love and use all in my day to day routine.
Acid toner
You need one in your routine. Yes, putting an acid on your face may sound scary but I promise you, as long as you're being smart about it, it'll be the best thing that ever happened to your skin. Discovering acids was such a game-changer for me, I honestly can’t imagine a well-balanced routine without it. There have been so many contenders to the throne but Deviant Skincare Gentle Resurfacing Liquid, Ole Henriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner and Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid are true staples for me. One is gentle and the others are a bit more punchy but all three leave me GLOWING. I’ve been opting for DS a bit more these days, as I love how it combines a great mix of acids and not just AHA but also BHA which are a must-have since my skin has been driving me insane in quarantine. Plus I’m about to come on so spotty chin ya know. OH one seems to be a bit more punchy tingling wise but it’s a brilliant choice if you don’t get on with Glycolic-only and prefer to deal with mixed AHA-based formulas. Plus the scent. Gets me every time. Just lush. And BHA-centric PC liquid will be your best friend who will keep those blackheads and spots at bay, as the salicylic acid helps deeply cleanse those pores of yours. Did you know we have more than 20,000 pores on your face alone? And if you wish to keep them looking their best for the longest time, you should definitely invest in a BHA treatment.
Brightening toner
I’m very late to the party. I’ve used Pixi Vitamin C Toner* before which I kinda liked, kinda didn’t, definitely wasn’t overwhelmed by it (others swear by it though so don't let me stop you, do your research), but since trying the Good Molecules Niacinamide Toner, I’m loving a brightening toner. Niacinamide is a pore-friendly ingredient and can in time minimise the way your pores look. Very important: nothing will affect pore size but some ingredients can help them appear less visible. Plus it feels hydrating and gives me that instant refreshed skin look which I’m all about these days. Niacinamide is also perfect for angered skin, unlike Vitamin C which can anger it further as it can be quite acidic. I noted a great improvement in flushed skin since I’ve been using it and that my friends, is a huge bonus. And if the glow is your thing and you just don’t want to give that up but acids aren’t your thing, then there’s always Merumaya Treatment Toner**. I went through oh so many bottles of it, it’s a one-step to glow if there ever was one. Vitamin C that won’t anger redness-prone skin. Full of moisturising Betaine. Beautiful in the morning. You need. Read about it here some more.
Hydrating toner
There are so many good ones out there but I feel like these two deserve all the praise in the world. A hydrating toner is a fabulous way to introduce an extra layer of hydration between your steps. Do the k-beauty 7-step method, or simply swipe/pat your face with it twice daily and you’ll notice a huge difference if you’re feeling dehydrated. Again, introducing more hydration to the skin helps the skin moisture barrier rebuilt itself which at the ends of the day equals less inflammation. I talked about Klairs Supple Unscented Preparation Toner* so much on my Instagram so you already know it’s a total bae. More of the essence than toner in texture, it works like 5 glasses of water for your skin instantly. It's a staple in my routine and a cult favourite for a reason. Now let me introduce you to Face Theory Colloidal-C Anti-Redness Toner*. There are some products that make you go wow from the first use and that was the case with this particular tonic. I’ve been interested in the use of colloidal oatmeal in treating skin prone to chronic inflammation with subsequent redness and even rosacea so I was very keen to try it out. If your skin gets sensitised a lot, and you suffer from random hot flushes and redness, this toner may be able to help. I noticed the results instantly and now after using it for a while, I find myself not quite as sensitive. Perfect hydrating and calming toner in my humble opinion.
Don’t forget you can save -20% on all order with Face Theory with my code: INF184 *not affiliate, but link above is*
Essence
I’ve been banging on about the importance of essences for a while. Are they essential? No. Are they that extra lush step that helps with overall hydration? They can be if you choose wisely. An essence is essentially a product that’s not quite a toner, nor a serum, but is perfect if you like to layer your hydrating steps. I’ve always been prone to multi-serum but I find that going in with essence and then a serum next, suits me very well. I’ve recently introduced Klairs Fundamental Ampoule Watery Oil Drops** into my routine and am amazed how much I love the silky yet very liquid formula. I feel this product would be suitable for all skin types, as it’s nourishing enough for dry skin types but not too heavy that oily skin could also benefit from it. I feel like it could even replace serum in some instances. A true gem and I highly recommend you look into it, and into Klairs in general, as I have nothing but great things to say about all the products I’ve tried from them so far. I love the mist from the same series, but also tried the toner before and loved it. And the tiny little guy, I'm From Mugwort Essence* is a special one. Another one that I loved almost from the first use, silky and ultra-hydrating, this gem also has strong calming properties. Mugwort has become a household name recently thanks to the barrier health warrior skinfluencers and it's one worth the hype it's starting to get. I have a mask on its way to me as well, so I'll be giving it a go as soon as it arrives. And let's not forget about sensitive skin again, the Dermalogica Redness Relief Essence* works almost instantly relieving the signs of angered skin and of course over time at strengthening the skin's barrier. Dermalogica Ultra Calming series has been a favourite of mine for a while, as the whole lines work at giving your skin ability to cope with environmental stressors.
Face mist
I do love a face mist, mainly as I love applying products to slightly damped skin. I have tried many over the years with only a few really standing the test of time. The ultimate boujee Omorovicza Magic Moisture is the total treat, and I already have a post on it. I used up 3 bottles and I have to say, I miss it in my routine. It duo-phase mist that really left my often dehydrated skin happy. Another great one comes from Allies Of Skin Molecular Saviour Probiotics Repair Mist*, and it’s as good as Omorovicza if it works slightly different. No duo-phase here, simply a tech-savvy combination of ingredients (base of rosewater and aloe, enriched with Niacinamide, Probiotics and other antioxidants) that draws moisture from the environment providing skin with prolonged hydration. Check my post on both of them here. I’m so happy to still have a backup but I’m currently using others, so won’t be opening it just yet. Lastly, the newest contender and I mentioned it above, Klairs Fundamental Ampoule Mist** is simply divine, and a lot cheaper than both the mists mentioned above. I like the super faint scent, I’ve not been enjoying overly scented mists as I usually soak my skin in way too many spritzes and if something is heavily scented I have to almost hold my breath. I love k-beauty mists in general, as the misting action is super fine and just so pleasurable to use, while the formula feels fantastic on my skin and delivers an additional level of hydration between steps.
I find myself skipping serums for essences sometimes, rarely forget about a mist and will always include the toner but of course, you don’t have to use them all at once. Is it nice to pamper from time to time? Sure, but on a standard day, I’d go with either a toner or a mist, add essence or not, or skip serum in favour of essence. You don’t have to overcomplicate your routine to get the benefits from the toner, essence or a mist. Pick and choose what suits you and your skin best. I simply find myself drawn to hydrating watery formulas and they seem to help and leave my skin well hydrated and generally happy.
Have you tried any of the products I mentioned, or you’re intrigued by them? I’m always happy to answer any questions you may still have, so please leave a comment or DM me on Instagram. Or maybe you have your favourite toner, mist and essence already, in which case, tell me all about it!
Thank You For Reading.
With love,
Full disclaimer:
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