Contents
- What is a facial tonic
- What are tonics for?
- Types of tonics
- The composition of tonics for the face
- Review of the best face tonics
- Moisturizing tonic for normal to dry skin Tonique Douceur, Lancôme
- Cleansing tonic “Absolute tenderness” for dry and sensitive skin, L’Oréal Paris
- Hyaluronic aloe-tonic “Basic care”, Garnier
- Perfecting toner for cleansing sensitive skin Pureté Thermal, Vichy
- Cleansing tonic “Clean skin” against blackheads and oily sheen for oily skin, Garnier
- Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner, Kiehl’s
- Pore-tightening lotion for deep cleansing of problem skin Normaderm, Vichy
- Facial tonic “Basic care”, refreshing, vitamin, for normal and combination skin, Garnier
- Hyaluron Expert Replenishing Moisturizing Facial Tonic, L’Oréal Paris
- Moisturizing tonic for normal and combination skin Biosource, Biotherm
- How to use facial toner
- How to choose an effective face tonic?
- Is it possible to make a tonic with your own hands?
- Popular related questions
Many consider facial tonic to be an extra skin care product. Right now we will prove that this is not so, and at the same time we will explain why it is necessary, how to choose it, what components to pay attention to and how to use it according to all the rules.
What is a facial tonic
Which tonic you need, our test will tell you.
What are tonics for?
As you know, there are three main stages in skin care: cleansing, toning, moisturizing. But, according to the confessions of beauty users, the second stage is often neglected (laziness, lack of time, lack of awareness – underline the necessary), considering the tonic an optional remedy. And they are very wrong. The fact is that this tool performs several important functions at once. Why do you need a facial tonic?
Completes the skin cleansing process. Even if you carefully removed your makeup with milk or micellar water, and then washed your face with foam, then on a cotton pad moistened with tonic, you will most likely still find traces of pollution. This means that it is the tonic that completes the cleansing process after the stages of make-up removal and washing.
Restores pH balance.
Prepares the skin for the application of serum and cream. Tonic is a kind of conductor that allows the active ingredients in the serum and cream to act more effectively on the skin.
Refreshes the skin. Dull complexion, lack of blush, dry areas of the skin, even enlarged pores and inflammation – if the tonic does not solve globally, then minimizes all these problems. To get evidence, conduct a two-week experiment on the regular use of the tonic, or better, extend the test to 28 days – this is the period the body and skin in particular need to form new “habits”.
Toning is not just included in the daily ritual of skin care. To make sure that the tonic is really so necessary, conduct an experiment: use it for at least two weeks and after their expiration you will notice that the skin has become fresher and cleaner, and the complexion is even.
Types of tonics
Moisturizers
The formulas include powerful moisturizing ingredients:
glycerol;
hyaluronic acid;
aloe juice or extract;
oil.
Such a tonic is suitable for skin prone to dryness, as well as for those who are forced to spend most of the day indoors with dry air (due to air conditioning or central heating) or in extreme climatic conditions (sudden temperature changes, hot or, conversely, frosty weather ).
soothing
Exfoliating
Matting
Tonic for oily skin care is enriched with components with a matting effect: zinc and / or absorbents (mineral perlite, coal, clay). Their goal is to tame oily sheen, as well as cleanse the skin of excess sebum, thus helping to reduce oily sheen, and at the same time blackheads.
Anti-aging
Pay attention to products containing antioxidants (vitamins C and E, polyphenols), especially if you live in a metropolis, often experience stress and sleep little. Antioxidants in the composition of the tonic will help fight the negative effects of the environment and delay the development of external signs of skin aging. For aging skin, tonics with oils, squalane, ceramides, components that soften the skin and prevent its dehydration are also suitable.
The composition of tonics for the face
The composition varies depending on the purpose and tasks to be solved. Below are the main components that are most often found in formulas.
Facial tonic is a clear colored liquid in which active ingredients are dissolved.
Aloe. Aloe juice and extract are almost universal: they soothe, soften, moisturize and restore the skin.
Allantoin. Effective for healing and skin regeneration. Allantoin relieves inflammation, irritation, tightens pores and softens the skin.
Hyaluronic acid. A powerful moisturizing ingredient that prevents moisture from evaporating to smooth the skin.
Glycerol. The most widely used moisturizer. Glycerin promotes the penetration of moisture into the deeper layers of the skin and helps to retain it.
Glycolic acid. Purifies, exfoliates, softens and brightens the skin, helps to reduce the depth of wrinkles.
Salicylic acid. Exfoliates, eliminates dead cells, regulates the sebaceous glands.
Alcohol. As a rule, it is present in a small concentration and serves to stabilize the formula. Simple alcohols (alcohol denat) in the composition of tonics provide an antibacterial effect and better penetration of the active ingredients into the skin.
Thermal water. Water from thermal springs, located, for example, in the French cities of Vichy and La Roche-Posay, is a storehouse of minerals and trace elements that are beneficial for the skin. The special composition helps to normalize the water balance of the skin, neutralizes the negative effects of free radicals, improves the protective properties of the skin, soothes it.
Zinc. Indispensable for oily and problematic skin: relieves inflammation, controls oily sheen, reduces black spots.
Calendula extract. It relieves irritation, soothes, has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect.
Rose extract. It has a wide spectrum of action: rejuvenates, moisturizes, softens, fights dangerous bacteria and even tightens pores.
Chamomile extract. Soothes sensitive and irritated skin, provides protection and anti-inflammatory effect.
Hamamelis extract. Constricts blood vessels, reduces the secretion of the sebaceous glands, is a powerful antioxidant.
Review of the best face tonics
If you still have not decided on the choice of tonic, we offer several options for different skin types – from delicate, sensitive to problematic, acne-prone.
Moisturizing tonic for normal to dry skin Tonique Douceur, Lancôme
Moisturizes, visibly smoothes the skin, gives it radiance. Contains elderberry extracts, suitable for any skin, including sensitive.
Cleansing tonic “Absolute tenderness” for dry and sensitive skin, L’Oréal Paris
Softens, tones, soothes, restores, providing comfort to the skin. In the composition – extracts of French rose and jasmine.
Hyaluronic aloe-tonic “Basic care”, Garnier
Formulated with 96% ingredients of natural origin, enriched with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, it moisturizes the skin, leaving it feeling clean and fresh.
Perfecting toner for cleansing sensitive skin Pureté Thermal, Vichy
Gently removes residual impurities and makeup, contains branded thermal water and vitamin E.
Cleansing tonic “Clean skin” against blackheads and oily sheen for oily skin, Garnier
Reduces blackheads, regulates sebum production, mattifies the skin, tightens pores. Contains salicylic acid, zinc, eucalyptus extract.
Calendula Herbal Extract Alcohol-Free Toner, Kiehl’s
Tonic with extracts of burdock, calendula flowers and allantoin is suitable for normal and oily skin, helps to reduce irritation, visibly soothes, and at the same time perfectly removes impurities.
Pore-tightening lotion for deep cleansing of problem skin Normaderm, Vichy
Tonic with a small amount of exfoliating acids helps eliminate oily shine, reduce blackheads and tighten pores.
Facial tonic “Basic care”, refreshing, vitamin, for normal and combination skin, Garnier
Enriched with grape extract, this tonic refreshes and tones the skin, has a moisturizing effect.
Hyaluron Expert Replenishing Moisturizing Facial Tonic, L’Oréal Paris
Due to the content of hyaluronic acid, the tonic has a pronounced moisturizing effect.
Moisturizing tonic for normal and combination skin Biosource, Biotherm
How to use facial toner
It is advisable to use the tonic twice a day, after cleansing and before applying serum and cream. When applying, avoid the area around the eyes, unless the annotation states that the product is approved for use in this area. There are at least two ways to apply tonic, and the choice of the right one depends on personal preferences.
When applying tonic, you can use a cotton pad or cloth.
cotton pad
This is the most common method that suits owners of any skin type. Apply a few drops to the disk and wipe the skin from the center of the face to the periphery, avoiding pressure:
from the center of the forehead to the temples, one smoothing movement on each side;
from the wings of the nose to the ears;
from the center of the chin to the ears;
from the space between the eyebrows to the tip of the nose.
Do not forget about the skin of the neck and décolleté – here the cotton pad should move from the bottom up, towards the chin.
tissue paper
The best option for sensitive skin. Saturate a cloth with tonic (you can use 2-3 layers of pharmaceutical gauze) and put it on your face like a mask. Press lightly with palms, leave for a few seconds. Such tonic masks are very popular in Asia.
Do I need to rinse off the tonic? No. As you remember, it increases the effectiveness of the active ingredients in the products that you apply after toning.
How to choose an effective face tonic?
Tonic for the face, as well as care, must be chosen taking into account several factors:
Skin type – it should be guided in the first place, as well as when choosing a day cream. Tonic prepares the skin for subsequent care, the quality of this preparation determines how effective your day or night cream will be. If you regularly use a tonic that is not suitable for your skin type, you can achieve the exact opposite effect, instead of moisture – dryness, instead of cleanliness and freshness – greasiness and a feeling of a film on the face. If you’re not sure what type of skin you have, take our test.
For combination skin use two tonics – mattifying for the T-zone, moisturizing or refreshing for the U-zone.
Weather and seasons — Depending on external circumstances, the skin can behave differently. Adapt care according to external and internal conditions, listen to your skin: in the heat, it can enjoy a tonic with a refreshing effect, and in winter – with moisturizing and softening. Important: in pursuit of a matting effect, you should not use tonics for problem skin, if it is not one – they can degrease the skin too much and cause the opposite effect.
Additional effect. All tonics complete the cleansing process, but almost each of them has individual characteristics and tasks: soothe, refresh, soften, etc. Choose what suits your needs at a given time.
fragrance. How to choose a facial tonic? Smell it, don’t blind buy. User satisfaction is an important part of beauty care, and the scent of a product can play a decisive role in product selection. You should not buy a product, even if it suits you in all other respects, if you are not satisfied with the smell. Most likely, you will not use such a tonic or turn care into an unpleasant duty.
Is it possible to make a tonic with your own hands?
You can make a simple tonic for the face with your own hands. Of course, in terms of cosmetic properties, it will be inferior to the product from the manufacturer. However, you can try, especially since the recipe is extremely simple.
A soothing tonic can be prepared by infusing chamomile and calendula flowers (2 teaspoons per glass of water).
Cucumber lotion is prepared by mixing cucumber juice with mineral water.
Lemon lotion for exfoliating and whitening the skin is made from a sliced lemon and a glass of cold water (infuse for at least 5 hours).
To obtain rose water, rose petals are poured with boiling water and infused for 12 hours in a warm place.
A few more frequently asked questions about tonics.
Is it possible to replace the tonic with thermal or mineral water?
If you have to choose between doing nothing after washing your face or rubbing your face with thermal/mineral water – of course, it is better to do the latter. But this is not an alternative to tonic, for example, for oily skin, because a tonic designed specifically for it can have a matting effect or help control acne.
How often can/should I apply toner?
It makes sense to do this after every wash, every contact with water. Not only in the morning and evening, but also, for example, if you are making a mask: after washing it off, also wipe your face with tonic.
What is the difference between toners for different skin types?
Different skin types have different acid-base balance, and those tonics that are recommended for a particular skin type are adapted to it. The composition is also different. For example, for oily skin, thorough cleansing and antibacterial care are extremely important, so a toner may contain drying and cleansing alcohol, salicylic acid and other components for oily skin, while a tonic for dry skin will give a more softening and moisturizing effect.