Balance, Hydrate & Refresh: Why Toner Is Essential in Your Skincare Routine
Posted on February 22, 2025 Written by: 100% PURE®
Ever wondered, "What does toner actually do?"Is it just another skincare trend, or is it essential?
Many people skip toner, assuming it’s unnecessary—but this one step can transform your skin. It balances pH, refines pores, and boosts the effectiveness of your serums and moisturizers.
No matter your skin type—oily, dry, or dull—the right toner can hydrate, nourish, and deeply cleanse. Ingredients like witch hazel tighten pores, while rose water soothes and refreshes.
Want glowing, healthy skin? Let’s break down why toner is a must-have, the best ingredients to look for, and how to use it the right way!
What Does Toner Do? The Truth About This Skincare Essential
Toner is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in keeping your skin healthy and balanced. After cleansing, your skin’s pH can be disrupted, leading to dryness or excess oil production. A good toner helps restore this balance, keeping your skin resilient and less prone to irritation.
Even after washing your face, traces of makeup, pollution, and dead skin cells can remain. Toner acts as a second cleanse, sweeping away any lingering residue to ensure your skin is truly clean. This deep-cleansing step helps prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
One of the biggest benefits of toner is how it preps your skin for serums and moisturizers. When your skin is properly hydrated, it absorbs products more effectively, allowing your skincare routine to work at its best. Applying toner before your serums and moisturizers ensures they penetrate deeper and deliver maximum benefits.
For those looking to refine their skin texture, toner can also help shrink the appearance of pores. Ingredients like witch hazel act as natural astringents, tightening pores and giving your skin a smoother, more refined look.
Why Witch Hazel Is a Powerful Ingredient in Toners
- Naturally Astringent (Without Over-Drying)
Witch hazel helps control excess oil and minimize shine, making it ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. Unlike harsh alcohol-based toners, it refines pores and keeps skin balanced without stripping moisture.
- Reduces Inflammation & Redness
With natural anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel soothes irritation from acne, sunburn, and sensitivity. It calms redness and promotes healing, making it a great choice for sensitive or reactive skin.
- Fights Acne & Breakouts
Witch hazel’s antibacterial properties help prevent clogged pores and breakouts while maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier. It keeps skin clear without causing dryness or irritation.
👉 Best Pick:100% PURE Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent– Infused with witch hazel, tea tree, and willow bark extract to cleanse, soothe, and balance skin.
The Best Toners for Every Skin Type
Selecting the right toner can significantly enhance your skincare routine by addressing specific concerns and improving overall skin health. Here are some top recommendations from 100% PURE, tailored to various skin types:
1. For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: 100% PURE Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent
Why it’s perfect: This astringent combines the antibacterial properties of tea tree oil with the pore-tightening effects of witch hazel. It effectively controls oil production, reduces breakouts, and keeps the skin feeling fresh and balanced.
Best for: Individuals with acne-prone, combination, and oily skin.
2. For Dry & Sensitive Skin: 100% PURE Rose Water Face Mist
Why it’s perfect: This mist utilizes the hydrating and soothing properties of rose water to refresh the skin without causing irritation. It's ideal for providing a moisture boost throughout the day and calming sensitive skin.
Best for: Those with dry, sensitive, or mature skin.
3. For Brightening & Uneven Tone: 100% PURE Fermented Rice Water Toner
Why it’s perfect: Enriched with enzymes and amino acids from fermented rice water (sake), this toner brightens the complexion, hydrates, plumps, and deeply softens the skin, promoting a radiant glow.
Best for: Individuals with dull or uneven skin tones seeking hydration and brightness.
Incorporating the appropriate toner into your skincare regimen can address specific concerns and enhance your skin's overall appearance and health.
Steps for a Skincare Routine: Where Does Toner Fit In?
Incorporating a toner into your skincare routine is essential for maintaining balanced and healthy skin. Here's a step-by-step guide to an effective regimen:
Cleanse Your Face First
Begin by removing dirt, oil, and impurities with a gentle cleanser. The 100% PURE Bakuchiol Face Wash offers a hydrating, non-stripping formula that cleanses while promoting a smoother complexion.
Apply Toner to Balance & Refresh Skin
After cleansing, use a toner to restore your skin's pH balance and prepare it for subsequent products. Apply using a cotton pad or mist directly onto clean skin, allowing it to absorb fully.
Apply Serums & Treatments
With your skin prepped, apply serums or treatments targeting specific concerns. The 100% PURE Black Tea Grass Jelly Antioxidant Serum locks in moisture, providing a dewy glow while delivering potent antioxidants.
Moisturize to Seal in Hydration
Seal in the benefits of previous steps with a nourishing moisturizer. The 100% PURE Coffee Bean Caffeine Restorative Moisturizer is lightweight yet deeply hydrating, helping to protect and repair the skin.
Always Finish with SPF in the Morning
In your morning routine, conclude with sun protection to shield your skin from UV damage and premature aging. The 100% PURE Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30 offers broad-spectrum protection in a convenient mist form, enriched with antioxidants from yerba mate tea leaf.
By following these steps, you can establish a comprehensive skincare routine that addresses cleansing, balancing, treatment, hydration, and protection.
FAQs About Toner & Skincare
1. Is toner necessary for a skincare routine?
Yes! While not mandatory, toner plays a key role in balancing pH, removing leftover impurities, and prepping your skin for serums and moisturizers. It enhances your skincare routine by improving absorption and hydration.
2. Should I use toner if I have dry skin?
Absolutely! Look for hydrating toners with ingredients like rose water, aloe vera, or glycerin to soothe and moisturize dry skin. Avoid alcohol-based toners, as they can be drying.
3. How often should I use toner?
Most people can use toner twice daily—morning and night—after cleansing. If you have sensitive skin, start with once a day and see how your skin reacts.
4. Should I apply toner with a cotton pad or hands?
Both methods work! A cotton pad helps remove excess dirt and oil, while patting toner in with your hands allows for better absorption and hydration.
5. Can toner replace a cleanser?
No, toner is not a substitute for cleansing. It enhances cleansing by removing any leftover residue, but you still need a proper face wash to remove dirt, oil, and makeup effectively.
Why Toner is the Skincare Step You Can’t Skip
A high-quality toner is more than just an extra step—it’s a game-changer for your skin. It helps balance pH, refine pores, remove leftover impurities, and enhance hydration, ensuring your skin is prepped to absorb the full benefits of serums and moisturizers.
Whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive, or dull, the right toner can make all the difference. Find a toner that suits your skin type and make it a daily habit for a glowing, healthy complexion.
Ready to upgrade your skincare routine? Shop 100% PURE’s natural toners now!
We carefully hand-select products based on strict purity standards, and only recommend products we feel meet this criteria. 100% PURE™ may earn a small commission for products purchased through affiliate links.
The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
