by M. F. Cunningham

Created on: July 13, 2009   Last Updated: July 14, 2009

Toner's which can sometimes be confused with astringents are designed to balance the pH levels of your skin after cleansing. 'Toner's also help to remove any leftover or excess residue of dirt, grime and makeup. Furthermore, they assist in reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and give a soothing and comforting feeling to your cleanse face. Toners unlike astringents should be milder to your skin because they contain less or no alcohol. Alcohol can be very drying and harsh to facial skin may also cause irritability, dryness and scaling. This type of excess drying can lead to the stripping of essential facial oils which may lead to an unhealthy and uneven complexion.

The type of toner that one uses will depend primarily on your skin type. As someone who has lived with oily-sensitive skin, I find the use of mild toner's to be a vital part of my daily beauty regime. Facial toner's come in different strengths starting with mild to extra strength which is usually reserved for those who have super oily skin. I prefer the milder strength toner although my skin is very oil, it is easily irritated. toner's which include chamomile or aloe are also very soothing to my skin. These types of toner help to reduce pimples and blemishes and firms any facial skin that is prone to sagging. Toner's also reduce shine and soak up excess oils which can cause breakouts in your face mainly in the form of pimples or other types of blemishes. Their soothing effects can help to hydrate your skin and reduce or tightened enlarged pores which can often look or become unsightly.

After the use of any toner, you should allow your face to air dry naturally for about ten minutes. This will allow the soothing effects of your toner to penetrate the skin and leave your skin feeling smooth, soft and refreshed. Your skin should not tingle or burn, if this happens then the toner is too harsh for your particular type skin and may have strong alcohol ingredients. This type of toner should be no longer be used but discarded or the results may be damaging effects to your face which may ultimately land you in a dermatologist office.

Lastly, whether toners are always necessary remains to be seen, however I prefer to use them because of the results that are beneficial to me. They should be used carefully and safely by adhering to the directions and instructions printed on the label. One always wants to put their best face forward and the use of toners can help in achieving this desired result.

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