Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Toners

Toners are the second step in the cleansing process. They help the cleanser remove dirt, dead skin cells, and cleanser residue. Also, a toner helps prepare the skin to receive the moisturizer.
There is a new generation of astringents, fresheners, and ton­ers, and it is hard to keep track of the action of each product. So always read labels carefully to make sure the product is safe for your skin type. Years ago astringents (developed for an oily skin type) were associated with high alcohol content and designed to dry up and reduce excess oils. Today most manufacturers have either reduced or completely removed alcohol from the formulations and have replaced it with gentle botanicals that achieve the same results without being harsh on the skin.
Toners can also minimize shine. How do you know whether or not you need to include a toner in your daily routine? If your skin tends to remain oily even after washing, or if your T-zone (forehead and nose) gets very oily, particularly in summer months, you may want to experiment with a toning product to see if it removes oil without irritation. After the application of a toner, your skin should feel smooth, soft, and invigorated.
Toners do not permanently reduce the size of enlarged pores. But the removal of excess oils and proper deep cleansing can temporarily give your skin a more refined-looking appearance.
Oily to Normal skin
Alcohol-free toner
Make sure it contains oil-reducing botanicals
Normal to Dry skin
Alcohol-free toner
Toner use on dry skin can be counterproductive unless the toner formulation is gentle and enriched with emollients or natural plant oils.
Sensitive Skin
Avoid artificial fragrance and alcohol toners.

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