Is it really necessary to use a toner?

[citygirl1961]

I have read where its just not necessary and an extra expense, what do you think?

I use an acid toner a few times a week. I double cleanse so dont feel I need a regular toner. I never really liked them or used them
that much anyway.

I'm allergic to the REN one too which is annoying as I've had it in two advent calendars! Pixi glow is fine for me though. Serums with AHAs or PHAs are also ok for me too eg the Drunk Elephant one.

I use a toner to ensure all traces of face wash are gone. I use a Vit C or mild glycolic toner so it does some skin care as well.

Thanks for sharing this information, it is very useful.

Hardly anything in beauty and skincare is necessary! How does it make you feel? Sometimes I use a toner because it makes my face feel extra clean. I use an AHA or BHA toner when I feel a breakout coming on. Otherwise I can’t be bothered every day, and prefer not to mess around with my skin too much because I use actives in my serum.

** the only debatable “necessary” skincare is sunscreen

I use the Caudalie one, it's a BHA and since using it my nose is a lot clearer, I have oily skin and it can clog very easily. Soap and water dries me out, and doing nothing would have me looking grey within a week. Double cleansing also aggravates my skin, I only do that if I have been wearing makeup (rare these days).

I can't use them because I haven't found a single one that doesn't irritate sensitive skin not even Liz Earle

Totally agree. And if I ever do post my skincare routine to try to help a poster out because they've asked, I often get replies saying don't use this or that! I've found my routine over several years to finally get it right what works for me. I'd love to not be able to wash in anything other than water but even if I'm not wearing makeup (rare) I still need to get the dirt off that's in the air or I'll get zits. Then I need to replenish the stripped out oils, so lots of moisturiser. I'm the one who has people saying "you're how old?! no way!" but according to Mumsnet I. Am. Wrong. So bloody tedious.

OP I use toner as some others have said, in an old fashioned way. I don't use it every day I prefer a wash off cleanser but if that's not possible I'll use a cream cleanser which I massage over my face to dissolve makeup then I remove it with the toner on cotton wool. It's called Age Perfect by L'Oréal.

I get visible flakes between my eyebrows. Fancy 'glow tonics' don't remove them, but cheap 'acid exfoliating pads' do.

I found this out by accident when trying out a Primark Vitamin C pad that I had literally bought to clean my desk with 😂

Scientifically speaking a face toner is a fast acting, quick hydration boost to the skin that also helps to remove dead skins cells in the process. It effectively prepares the skin before you apply moisturiser, or makeup, and helps to balance out the natural pH levels of your skin, taking away impurities and helping your skin absorb the skin products you later apply.

Toners effectively clean and close pores and act as a barrier to prevent dirt from entering these freshly cleaned pores - this makes toners especially beneficial to those with acne. It's important to use a toner that does not contain alcohol as this can disrupt how your skin produces it's natural oils, which can cause skin to become unbalanced and can lead to irritated and dry skin.

I have used one in recent years if I used a cleanser with reusable cotton pads. Not sure if it does anything but seems to make the face cleaner to then put on moisturiser.