We have been taught for as long as we remember, big beauty telling us that toners are a big part of our regimen. People are now finding less time to follow a 5+ step program in their crazy schedules. With almost every program out there having a toner in their regimen, we all start asking ourselves, do we really need toners?

Toners were originally designed to remove extra impurties after the cleansing process, and to help minimize pores. Today we have two types of toners: astringents, and the other is a liquid form of a moisturizer.

Astringents are used after the cleansing process to help remove traces of cleanser, make-up and debris. "Astringent" toners usually contain ingredients such as alcohol, acetone, and/or witch hazel, camphor, menthol, boric acid, rosewater, or alum. Since these ingredients are very drying and irritating to the skin, they give the skin a slight swelling which, in turn looks as if the pores have been minimized. Consumers also like the sting & tingling sensation they get from astringents and think if you don't feel the burn, it's not doing anything. Unfortunately, astringents end up leaving your skin dehydrated and vulnerable to the environment.

Moisturizing toners don't contain the harsh ingredients that tend to dry out the skin like astringents do. These types of toners contain moisturizing humectants that tone the skin and add moisture without causing surface dryness. They restore the skin's natural pH, removes traces of cleansers and debris along with hydrating and soothing the skin. Both toners can be used on a cotton round or some versions even come in a spray form, which helps to eliminate wasting product.

Toners are accessory products, and even though some people love them and can't live without, they are not part of the four simple steps to skin care. So if you love them, no need to stop that step, but don't feel like if you are not using a toner you're not doing a proper skin care regimen.

Examples of Astringent Toners: Neutrogena Clear Pore, Proactiv Revitalizing Toner

Examples of Moisturizing Toners: Lexli Tone & Balance, Bioelements Equalizer, Yonka sensitive toner

Do you use a toner? If so, what do you like about it?