When winter weather arrives, some people skip toner, thinking it’s not necessary in cooler weather or that it may dry out (or irritate) their skin. But toner is actually an important step in your winter skincare routine. Read on to find out more about the benefits of toner and learn about the best toner for sensitive skin.
How Winter Weather Impacts Your Skin Barrier
Before we start, let’s take a second to talk about how winter weather can affect your skin’s barrier—i.e. the protective layer that helps keeps good stuff (like moisture) in and bad stuff (like environmental pollutants and bacteria) out. Harsh winter weather and dry indoor air can leave your skin’s barrier compromised, resulting in skin that’s flaky, dehydrated, tight and just plain dull.
The key to keeping your skin’s barrier healthy is a balanced skincare routine that includes gentle cleansing, exfoliation and hydration—and that’s where toner comes in. Using a toner as your first step prepares your skin for the rest of your skincare routine, optimizes your results, and helps your skin stay smooth and radiant all winter long.
What does toner do?
It’s true that old-fashioned astringent toners from the 70s, 80s and 90s didn’t do much to help your skin. (If you’re old enough to remember that stinging feeling, that was alcohol—and it was not doing your skin any favors!) But today, things are very different. There are many well-formulated toners on the market that hydrate, exfoliate and (here’s the important part) help you get better results from your skincare products. Here’s what a properly formulated toner will do for you:
Restores Balance After Cleansing
Cleansing can disrupt your skin’s pH, especially in the winter when your skin is more vulnerable to moisture loss. Toner helps rebalance your skin and reduces “transepidermal water loss”—the technical term for when moisture evaporates from your skin.
Preps Skin to Absorb Serums & Moisturizers More Effectively
Toner acts as a “first layer” of hydration and helps prevent moisture from evaporating off your skin’s surface. And when your skin is well-hydrated, any active ingredients in your serums and moisturizers will be able to penetrate more effectively.
Helps Reduce Flaking, Dullness & Dead Skin Cell Build-up
Dead skin cell build-up also prevents your skincare products from absorbing properly—so that pricy moisturizer you just bought might be sitting on top of flaky dead skin rather than sinking in. Consistent exfoliation with weekly sonic dermaplaning and a daily toner will remove dead skin cell build-up, so your products can absorb and do their job. Regular exfoliation also boosts cellular turnover, which helps your skin look and act younger.
What kind of toner should I use?
A gentle, acid-based toner with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients is your best option for winter. Here’s what to look for:
Avoid alcohol-based formulas
Steer clear of anything that’s alcohol-based. Just to make this crystal clear, your toner should not sting or burn—even in the winter. Remember the scene in Home Alone where Kevin tries aftershave? If your toner feels like that, it’s time to find a new formula!
Look for a gentle acid blend
Now isn’t the time to try a toner with a high percentage of glycolic acid. “Look for gentle exfoliating acids like lactic acid, malic acid or polyhydroxy acids,” says licensed master esthetician Billie Jo Bond. “If you need to control excess oil or help prevent acne, salicylic acid is also a good option.”
Choose a formula with proven hydrators
Proven hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane and glycerin will give your skin that hydrating “base layer” it needs, so the rest of your skincare routine will work more effectively.
Look for additional skin-supporting ingredients
Ingredients like niacinamide and probiotics offer additional barrier support, while powerful antioxidants like ectoin protect your skin from pollution and blue light. If you tend to experience redness in the winter, calming ingredients like green tea or rice extract help reduce the look of redness and irritation.
Want a sensitive-skin safe formula?
We formulated our Botanical Ketoacid Toner with glycerin, niacinamide, ectoin, and a gentle blend of lactic, malic and encapsulated salicylic acid. It’s a hydrating, multi-tasking formula that’s clinically tested to be safe for sensitive skin. “My face feels so clean and refreshed not dry at all,” says customer Dana G.
No matter what formula you choose, make sure you follow the tips above to keep your skin looking smooth, healthy and hydrated all winter long!
