What Does Toner Actually Do for Your Face?

A pared-down skincare routine might be replacing the 10-step beauty routines of years past, but one step you shouldn't be so quick to brush off is a toner.

Your first introduction to a toner may have been as a teenager, but today's toners differ from those you grew up using. No matter the skin concern, be it hydrating, pigmentation, breakouts, or aging, there's a toner to address your most pressing issues. Plus, incorporating one into your routine likely outweighs not using one if your skin could use a little help in the cleansing, hydrating, or exfoliating departments.

Here, we asked dermatologists to break down what a toner does for your skin and who benefits from it the most.

What Exactly Is Toner?

According to Dr. Mian, toners are liquid skincare products historically used to neutralize the skin's pH after cleansing. "The skin naturally has an acid pH of about 4.5 to 5.75, which enables it to keep bacterial count at bay and maintain hydration levels and a strong skin barrier," he says. "In the past, soaps were alkaline, and cleansing the skin would raise its pH level, leaving the skin feeling tight and dry. Toners were used post-cleansing to bring the skin's pH to its acidic happy place."

The toners of yesteryear were loaded with alcohol, astringents, and drying agents to strip away excess oil, which also deplete the skin of much-needed moisture, but all of that has changed. And so have their purpose. Today, toners are pH-balanced and include more skin-friendly active ingredients like exfoliating acids, soothing and anti-aging ingredients, and pigment-neutralizing agents.

"There has been a shift away from using harsh toners and instead ones with newer technology that incorporates plant extracts, for example," says Dr. Lolis. There are even toner hybrids, including OLEHENRIKSEN Barrier Booster Orange Ferment Essence ($44) and Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner ($34), which are more like a toner-meets-serum with unique gel and lotion textures. Still, Dr. Lolis says the purpose of a toner, which stays on the skin, is to remove any residue, dirt, or oil on the skin's surface while also prepping the skin for better penetration of creams with actives.

The Pros and Cons of Using Toner

Pros

All skin types can benefit from using a toner, but the key is to find the right one for your skin type to target specific concerns effectively. For example, Dr. Mian says someone with comedogenic acne could benefit from using a toner with salicylic acid, like Naturopathica Prickly Pear & Salicylic Acid Acne Clearing Toner ($40), which can help unclog the pores. Oily skin types also respond well to toners with exfoliating and mattifying ingredients to help keep the skin matte while removing dead skin cells to prevent breakouts.

On the other hand, he says a dull complexion may opt for a lactic- or glycolic acid-enriched toner, such as Hydropeptide Pretreatment Toner ($44) or Krave Beauty KalAHAlua Toner ($25) to help brighten the complexion. "With sensitive skin, toners with soothing ingredients, like ceramides, vitamin b5, or niacinamide, found in CeraVe Hydrating Toner ($12) can be helpful."

Cons

Despite their benefits, toners are one skincare product that's not a must in every skincare routine. Even though a good cleansing routine and a skin-appropriate toner are an ideal match, only some skin experts feel they are necessary. "They are a great way to incorporate targeted ingredients into a skincare routine based on skin concerns," Dr. Mian shares. "Unlike cleansers, which are washed off, toners remain on the skin and can deliver active ingredients effectively."

On the flip side, Dr. Lolis feels that unless you have a specific skin concern, such as acne or sensitive skin, which needs more concentrated ingredients, toners are more of a feel-good skincare product than anything else. If cleansing often leaves your skin feeling a little dry or off balance or your cleanser doesn't leave your skin feeling clean enough, adding a toner to your skincare routine may be the missing piece your skin needs.

How to Choose the Right Toner

Toner options are endless, and there's a toner for every skin type and concern. To find the best match for your skin, you'll want to consider your skin type and then look for a formulation with the right ingredients.

• Normal and dry skin is most compatible with hydrating and nourishing toners that reinstate lost moisture with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, rosewater, and ceramides. Dry skin can also benefit from a hydrating toner morning and night, especially when temperatures dip.
• Oily and acne-prone skin types should stick with exfoliating toners chock full of glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acids or tea tree oil, which help to gently lift away dead skin cells and prevent breakouts without drying out the skin. Exfoliating toners shouldn't be used more than once daily since overusing them can cause the skin to become desensitized and compromise the skin barrier. Exfoliating toners also provide enough exfoliation that a separate physical or chemical exfoliator is only sometimes necessary.
• Sensitive skin can become red and irritated, so avoiding toners with alcohol or substantial concentrations of exfoliating acids and ingredients is critical. Instead, stick with skin-balancing and hydrating ingredients with glycerin, cucumber, chamomile, and aloe vera to help nourish and moisturize the skin without irritation. 
• Combination skin can use toners considered safe by oily and dry skin standards, but stick with the one that targets your most pressing skin needs, be it hydration to tackle dryness or exfoliation to clear up blemishes.

How to Incorporate Toner Into Your Skincare Routine

Incorporating a toner into your skincare routine is easy and only adds about 30 seconds to it. To use a toner correctly, pour a few drops onto a clean cotton pad and then gently swipe it on the skin directly after cleansing. You can also use the palms of clean hands and press the toner into the skin for an eco-friendly option. "Using a toner right after washing, when the skin is still damp, will help seal in the moisture and product," Dr. Lolis says.

Unlike cleansing, you don't have to use toner daily—but you can, depending on your skin type. Dr. Mian says sensitive skin can use a soothing toner once a day, whereas one with exfoliating ingredients should be used two to three times per week. Oily skin is the exception to the rule since he says it may be able to tolerate a gentle exfoliating toner more frequently. Normal skin types can also benefit from applying a gentle toner to the skin after removing makeup.

Potential Side Effects and Precautions

Like other skincare products, there's the potential for things to go wrong when using a toner. For starters, you'll want to read the ingredient label and ensure what's in your toner is a good fit for your skin. You'll also want to avoid toners with alcohol, astringents, and sulfates, which can dry out the skin. Dr. Mian says a common mistake he sees is people using a toner too frequently, which disrupts their skin barrier and can result in a rash that may be confused for a breakout. Unfortunately, overusing a toner can leave the skin dry, irritated, red, and inflamed.