We think it’s safe to say that the word “toner” in relation to skincare is probably going to cause a fair few puzzled looks, particularly amongst men. Here’s a clue, we’re not talking about the stuff that goes in photocopiers. So what is face toner? And what it does it do for your skin?
WTF is face toner?
In our eyes, face toner is somewhat of an overlooked hero in the world of skincare. Yes, we know it sounds a bit fancy and unnecessary, but using a toner could actually make a world of difference to your skin, and it’s so easy to do (we’ll talk more about that later). If you’re already a grüum subscriber, there’s a good chance you’ll be familiar with our gösta tonic. Now just to clear any confusion, tonic is just another word for toner. Toner = tonic. Tonic = Toner. Got it?
So what does it actually do? Well, face toners are designed to finish off the cleansing process after you’ve washed your face, by removing any excess product (you’d be surprised how much gets left behind after you’ve rinsed), dirt, and pollution. Facial toners also usually contain some sort of astringent to absorb any excess oil. It’s best to look for something that includes some kinds of natural extracts as it’s much kinder to your skin that way. Of course, gösta has got you covered on that front.
In short, a toner helps to:
- Prevent breakouts
- Control shine
- Prevent pores from becoming clogged, leading to blackheads
- Refresh your complexion and even your skin tone
- Soothe the skin after shaving
Not bad for a tiny little bottle, eh?
When/how should I use face toner?
A toner is usually used after washing your face, or straight after shaving. As well as soothing the skin, gösta tonic has antibacterial properties that kill any nasties, whilst helping to prevent those pesky ingrown hairs.
After you’ve washed your face/shaved, gently pat dry with a towel, then give your face a quick mist with the toner (if it’s a spray bottle) and wipe off any excess with a cotton pad. Alternatively, you can spray the toner directly on the cotton pad and apply it all over your face, focusing on oil-prone areas such as your forehead and nose. We’d say about 3-4 squirts usually does the job. Don’t forget to finish off with your moisturiser!
Alongside your daily cleansing routine, facial toner is also ideal for use throughout the day, especially with oil-prone male skin. If you find that you struggle to make it past lunchtime without your face starting to look like it belongs in Madame Tussauds, then toner could be your saving grace. Just give your skin a quick once over, and ta dah! You’re shine free once again. Toner also makes a great pick-me-up for when you’re feeling a bit, “blergh”, particularly when you’re tired (*cough* hungover *cough*); just spray the mist directly onto your face for an instant refresher – don’t worry about wiping it off, just allow it to dry naturally and you’ll be good to go.
But do I really need to use toner?
We like to take a simplistic approach to things here at grüum, so the last thing we’d want is for you to be faffing around with a product that you don’t actually need. To be honest though, the majority of us could really benefit from its use, so give it a go and see for yourself!
Have you seen a positive difference in your face from using a toner? Share your experiences with us in the comments.
