Set the TONE

It looks and hydrates like water. Is it water? No. Toner is the unsung hero of skincare, and here's why you need to be using it Words

- CHARNDRÉ EMMA KIPPIE

Great for balancing your skin’s pH levels, tightening pores and providing a glow that even the sun would envy, toner is quite magical. So, the next time you're tempted to skip the toning step, remember your skin deserves better than plain-old H2O. We’ve got science-backed research to convince you to add this gem to your daily skincare routine.

What’s all the fuss?

Toners are typically water-like solutions that remove residual dirt or oil left on the skin even after cleansing, and balance out the skin’s natural acidic state. Though they’ve been given a bad rep in the past (for being ‘harsh’ or ‘complicating’ skincare), science has proven that liquid toners have great benefits. These fast-penetrating solutions give skin a quick hit of extra hydration and help remove not only dirt or oil but dead cells from the skin’s surface – especially useful for dry, dull skins.

Charlotte Cho, a licenced aesthetician in New York, says to think of toner as ‘prep’ for skin. “Your skin is like a dried-up sponge. If you put a thick cream on a brittle, dry sponge, it won’t accept it as it isn’t ‘prepped’ for moisture. But if you wet the sponge, the cream will sink in more easily.”