Toners

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White Russian

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I'd be interested to know whether people think toners are necessary. Some experts say you need one to get rid of any last traces of make-up (does that not mean the cleanser didn't do it's job properly?) and because you need to return your skin to the correct PH (is my skin really not able to have water touch it without it taking 8 hours to 'repair' itself? Will my skin really suffer if it's PH is lowered after using water? After all Alpha-H base their range around the idea of dropping the skin's PH level to get the skin to work harder?). Other ranges, particularly from facialists (Eve Lom, Sarah Chapman), say you don't need to use a toner.

I never used a toner until about 3 years ago and now I use one twice a day and have grown to like the 'refresed' feeling it gives and I miss not using it now. But I'm not sure my skin looks any better for using one. Could it be that foaming or oil-based cleansers like Sarah Chapmen don't require a toner but cream based ones like Elemis do?
 
depends on the toner and if its active or not. boots do one with a fruit acid in it which is lovely and does help to give a refined finish to the skin.

dont like decleor as it just smells nice but really rate the liz earle one. it does smell incredible and makes your skin look and feel nice.

at the mo not using any as i use alpha-h and only need to use the liquid gold as maintenance once a week if that and my skin is really happy!

toner is a nice step though but maybe it depends on the range you are using.
the beauty bible (origional version) also said that you dont need a toner but i think its up to you..
 
I don't think toners are essential by any means, it's often just a way of flogging us another product to 'fit into our routine'! I use cucumber water from the Body Shop as it's inexpensive and I just like the fresh feeling it gives my face after cleansing. If I'm travelling or I run out and I don't have it, my skin certainly doesn't suffer as a result. I did notice that when I used A'kin to cleanse (which I thought was an awesome cleanser) there would be some residual makeup on my face when I used my toner so I suppose for that reason alone, it was good that my toner showed that up. Now I'm back to No 7 there's never any trace left so I guess I know it's a better cleanser!!
 
In the old days we were told we needed it to close our pores after cleansing.:giggle: Then women realized well actually your skin breaths through your pores and you would die if they closed.

I have Elemis Apricot Toner which usually comes free in kits. I like it as you can use it as eye compresses, and I have been known to just have a quick wipe without the full cleanse.

Stuff like Eve Lom as you use hot and then a final cold cloth against the face really does make your skin feel very clean.

Cream cleansers well if you remove with warm water and a cloth no problem, but if as I am sure many still do just cotton wool off yes to remove the residue.
 
boffy said:
depends on the toner and if its active or not. boots do one with a fruit acid in it which is lovely and does help to give a refined finish to the skin.
Click to expand...

Hi boffy, can you tel me which toner this is. I'm on the look out for an alternative to LE.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I might sawp my toner for a muslin cloth/face mits when cleansing and see how that works out. That does make sense, that as long as you thoroughly remove cleanser you should not need a toner (unless, for example, you use one for mattifying properties). At the moment I just splash off my cleansers with water, no matter what the texture.

One thing I've never understood is how salon brands can say 'you must use a toner after using water on your face because it's the water, not the cleanser, that changes your skin's PH', and then they introduce a wash off cleanser which apparently tones your skin while you wash. Surely water is still the last thing touching my skin so my PH will still change?

I agree Donna, the Elemis Apricot toner is my favourite, but I think I'm just addicted to the smell! One thing about Elemis toners though - if I need to use one to remove last traces of cream cleanser, surely I would need to apply the toner with cotton wool to remove any residual cleanser? As you just spray it on and leave it, I can't see that it is removing excess cleanser which makes me wonder again why I need it in the first place.
 
VALM said:
Hi boffy, can you tel me which toner this is. I'm on the look out for an alternative to LE.
Click to expand...

boots no7 i used the one for oilier skin and realy loved it but dont know as i use aplpha-h.
they do it for other skin types to.
gone up a lot £8 (used to be £5.50) but 3 for 2 at the mo good luck.
 
I love toners, but just for the fresh feeling - as I only spray it on and let dry after cleansing and don't wipe off it wouldn't really take any traces of cleanser left off. My favourite is probably Liz Earle's in the little mister as it produces a very fine spray and I love the smell of it. I also love Lush's Breath of Fresh Air cleanser, especially in the summer month when kept in the fridge as a quick cool-down method.
 
White Russian said:
Thanks everyone. I think I might sawp my toner for a muslin cloth/face mits when cleansing and see how that works out. That does make sense, that as long as you thoroughly remove cleanser you should not need a toner (unless, for example, you use one for mattifying properties). At the moment I just splash off my cleansers with water, no matter what the texture.

One thing I've never understood is how salon brands can say 'you must use a toner after using water on your face because it's the water, not the cleanser, that changes your skin's PH', and then they introduce a wash off cleanser which apparently tones your skin while you wash. Surely water is still the last thing touching my skin so my PH will still change?

I agree Donna, the Elemis Apricot toner is my favourite, but I think I'm just addicted to the smell! One thing about Elemis toners though - if I need to use one to remove last traces of cream cleanser, surely I would need to apply the toner with cotton wool to remove any residual cleanser? As you just spray it on and leave it, I can't see that it is removing excess cleanser which makes me wonder again why I need it in the first place.
Click to expand...

I always spray mine on a cotton pad and wipe, can't see the point in just spraying it on.:wonder: I thought they put it in a spray to use let product?????
 
Last edited:
Donna, a lot of companies suggest using toner when your skin feels dried out and parched, e.g. after too much sun exposure or in harsh AC. That's why always assumed the spray nozzles were there and that's how I use mine.
 
soap and water here :blush: but i did do the whole cleanse/tone/moisturise routine for years. toner for me was just to remove the greased up feeling from the cleanser.

as for the ph thing - nothing you put on your skin is gonna change it's ph. that's pseudo-scientific poppycock.
 
love my l'occitane she ultra rich soap used with alpha-h really nice to wash your face with when its all hot and sweaty...
 
I love the Elemis Apricot toner too - but only really for the smell, I can't say i've noticed it does much. I'm sure my pores are the same as they ever were!

I was told to spray it on and leave it, not wipe it by the salon beautician when she used Elemis products on a facial I had.
 
I think Boffy makes a good point about it depending if the toner is active or not eg fruit acids. I don't think they're 'necessary' as such, especially in a case of very, very sensitive skin where it's best to simplify things to just cleansing and moisturising. Otherwise, I think toners are a great step in making your skin extra clean and they can leave a light moisturised feeling as well which I love; I also really like that you can clean your neck with toner and cotton wool after you've swept it round your face.
 
boffy said:
depends on the toner and if its active or not. boots do one with a fruit acid in it which is lovely and does help to give a refined finish to the skin.

dont like decleor as it just smells nice but really rate the liz earle one. it does smell incredible and makes your skin look and feel nice.

at the mo not using any as i use alpha-h and only need to use the liquid gold as maintenance once a week if that and my skin is really happy!

toner is a nice step though but maybe it depends on the range you are using.
the beauty bible (origional version) also said that you dont need a toner but i think its up to you..
Click to expand...

I like Liz Earle
 
boffy said:
boots no7 i used the one for oilier skin and realy loved it but dont know as i use aplpha-h.
they do it for other skin types to.
gone up a lot £8 (used to be £5.50) but 3 for 2 at the mo good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks boffy. I've been looking at this one and also the Botanics Rosewater one.
 
I dither between using toner and not. Sometimes I use it for months then I don't bother. On the whole I'm quite happy with my skin ... well I am now I've got the adult acne on the run ... I don't think any single product has made a real difference to my skin. It's more of a cumulative effort and a lucky dip in the gene pool.

Toners I like are Liz Earle, Elemis Apricot and Neals Yard Rosewater.
 
Great thread :) I've been wondering about this myself recently. I'm another elemis apricot and just spray it ocassionally, it's good to know other peoples routines and ideas and also my for teen girls, won't feel like I have to purchase more toner for them.
 
I'm using Gatineau Serenite, I'm not sure of the point of them either, again I like that fresh feeling. I am a bit of a lazy beggar and it does remove make up I've missed around my jawline. I like to clean my ears with it too ( not right in)! I have loads of Gatineau Serenite after my skin had a nutty spell and the Soothing Concentrate fixed it, but my face never feels better than after a Soap & Glory face mask!
 
I love Soap & Glory, as well. I have some Elemis & Philosophy from QVC and a good amount of Liz Earle but I can never resist a Soap & Glory 2 for 1 at Boots. BTW, the products are made by the Bliss Spa brand, as far as I know, so I always assume I'm getting similar quality for less dough. Might just be an illusion, though.
 

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