To Tone or Not to Tone?
POTM for June: SkinMedica’s Rejuvenative Toner
That is the question. No, toner is not necessary, but if you enjoy it, by all means, add that step to your regimen. I am a fan of finding a regimen that works for you, so if toning makes you happy, stick with it! (I love multi-step regimens, but then again, I am a dermatologist.)
In general, toners are used after cleansing to remove excess oils and residual makeup, but they are also used to restore the pH balance of the skin and to prep for the skin for the steps that follow. Toners also can be a great way to gently and easily cleanse in the morning for the more low-maintenance type.
There are many kinds of toners on the market that do different things and it can be confusing. Here’s the lowdown:
- Some have a nice mix of exfoliators to help remove dead skin cells and allow your other products to work more effectively. One of my personal favorites is our June Product of the Month: Rejuvenative Toner by SkinMedica. Not only does it smell absolutely wonderful, but it has 7% AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids) including lactic, glycolic, malic acids, green tea extract, vitamin A and salicylic acid.
- Toners can be very useful for people with oily skin. You want to look for a product with salicylic acid, which can help wick away excess oil and calm acne breakouts—a good one to try is Glytone’s Acne Cleansing Toner.
- Hydrating toners, on the other hand, are probably not necessary if you are using a good moisturizer, but they can be very refreshing and many have soothing properties. One of my favorites is Murad Hydrating Toner, which may be a good choice for someone in their 40s or 50s with drier skin due to hormonal changes.
- A couple of years ago, I gave one of my good friends Murad’s Essential-C Toner—and of all the things I have given her through the years, she absolutely loves this and feels like it changed her skin like no other product. So, I guess for some, toners are a must!
Our June Product of the Month, SkinMedica’s Rejuvenative Toner, can be purchased for $34 at Manhattan Dermatology. Come by anytime—we’re open Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
