A skin toner, available in the form of a lotion or a liquid, helps reduce oil content on the complexion, cleans up the skin and in this manner prevents the breakout of acne.  Skin toners are also called astringents, fresheners (they may have caffeine and green tea as ingredients) or bracers. Ingredients in a toner usually include alcohol, salicylic acid, citric acid, rosewater, benzoyl peroxide or witch hazel to accomplish these functions.  Often after a skin care regime of washing drying and applying a moisturizer, you may feel that something is missing.  Applying a skin toner, soon after washing your face helps remove excess oil and cleans up the skin.  Applying a moisturizer after applying a toner makes your skin feel really good. 

What does a toner do to your skin?

A simple toner solution is composed of certain extracts, oils and moisturizers that help keep your skin feeling good.  When you use an astringent for toning your skin, the alcohol content in it removes the oil, tightens the pores and the skin.  Fresheners also tighten the skin, but with caffeine or green tea instead of alcohol. 

For those with skin that is already dry, astringents are redundant and may dry up the skin further.  Toners are so formulated that with careful choice it will also balance the pH count of your skin.  It is therefore important to check out the ingredients written on the label of the product in order to pick up a toner that really works for you.  For instance, if you are looking for a product to fight acne  you should choose a toner that contains glycolic, salicylic or hydroxyl acid.

 How to apply a toner correctly

• Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry
  
• Take a small ball of sterilized cotton and apply the toner to it
  
• Do not soak the ball too much in the toner as it will leave streaks on your face after it dries up
  
• Just apply enough so your skin is nourished just right
  
• Now stroke your face with the cotton ball softly in a manner that the toner spreads uniformly
  
• Avoid rubbing or massaging in the toner
  
• Do not apply toner in areas where your face is really dry
  
• Wait for two to three minutes until the toner is absorbed by the skin and then apply the moisturizer

Advantages of using toners

• It cleans the skin by removing make-up and dirt
  
• Refreshes the complexion
  
• Toxins present in the skin are also removed
  
• Improves blood circulation to the skin
  
• Exfoliates the skin to an extent by removing the dead cells present
  
• Reduces the secretion of the oil on the skin
  
• Holds back appearance of fine lines on the skin
  
• Promotes cell turnover
  
• Cleans clogged pores
  
• Helps overall in keeping the skin clean