Is your sensitive skin causing you trouble? Then it might be time to tone it down.
A toner is a great product to reach for when your skin needs some tender loving care.
What does a toner do?
In the past toners were mainly used to remove excess oil, or treat acne-prone skin. “
They generally consisted of high concentrations of alcohol and acids which ended up drying out the skin more than concentrating on breakout control,” licensed esthetician at Schweiger Dermatology Group, Joelle O’Connor, L.E., told 21Ninety.
Now, the world of toners has expanded to include toning products that hydrate and soothe all skin types – including sensitive skin.
“[Toners] balance the skin’s pH level, remove any residual dirt or cleanser, and prepare the skin for the application of other skincare products,” Welzo expert of general medicine and pathology, Zeeshan Afzal, MD told 21Ninety.
What makes a toner good for sensitive skin?
A good toner for sensitive skin is one that is made with ingredients that won’t cause the skin to flare up.
Aloe vera, chamomile, green tea extract, cucumber extract, and hyaluronic acid are ingredients Dr. Afzal recommends. “They have calming and hydrating properties that are beneficial for sensitive skin,” the doctor explained.
What types of toner irritate sensitive skin?
People with sensitive skin know that one wrong move could cause a negative reaction. While both experts acknowledge that everyone’s skin is different, there are some general ingredients they recommend avoiding or limiting in the next toner you buy.
Dr. Afzal suggests steering clear of high concentrations of exfoliating acids – like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), or salicylic acid. Other ingredients the doctor recommends avoiding include alcohol, fragrances, and menthol.
“These ingredients have the potential to aggravate sensitive skin, leading to redness, dryness, or stinging sensations,” Dr. Afzal said.
O’ Connor adds that by drying out the skin, you create an environment where your skin barrier can become compromised, leading to a host of other skin issues like breakouts.
How to find a good toner for sensitive skin?
Overall, when shopping for a good toner for sensitive skin, you want to make sure that it’s free of the harsh ingredients mentioned above. But, the experts have additional tips for finding your next favorite toner.
Dr. Afzal recommends checking the label to see if a toner has been made specifically for sensitive skin. The doctor also advised to “choose toners that are hypoallergenic.” Hypoallergenic toners have undergone sensitivity testing which can reduce the chances of irritation.
Both experts mentioned that finding a soothing toner should be your first choice, too.
“Soothing ingredients like allantoin, hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, and ceramides are the best ingredients to look for in a toner,” O’ Connor suggested.
Remember, before you dump a ton of toner on your face, it’ll benefit your skin to do a patch test.
To do a patch test, put a small amount of toner on one visible area of the face and wait a bit to see if your skin reacts poorly to the product. If all feels and looks good then you can try using it on more of your skin.
Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Enriched Calming Toner
Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Enriched Calming Toner is here to soothe sensitive and eczema-prone skin. The calming toner blends antioxidant-rich plant oils with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to balance and hydrate sensitive skin.
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
The Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner serves double duty and a lightweight moisturizer. When used as a toner it wipes away excess debris, calm redness, and leaves skin feeling refreshed – not stripped.
Beekman 1802 Milk Shake Facial Toner Mist
Beekman 1802’s Milk Shake Facial Toner Mist is designed to even out sensitive skin. The alcohol- and fragrance-free formula combines hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and plant-based squalane to tone skin. Plus, it can provide hydration for up to eight hours.
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner
Kiehl’s Since 1851 Cucumber Herbal Alcohol Free Toner is a fragrance-free solution that leans on an herbal blend to balance skin. Its calming ingredient list includes aloe and allantoin.
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner
First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner calms irritated skin with its star ingredient, oats. That being said, your skin won’t feel stripped after using the alcohol-free toner
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