Seriously – Does Anyone Need To Use Toner?

There’s probably not a woman alive who wouldn’t like to have perfect skin. What do we mean when we use the word perfect? The best skin you can possibly have – that is, fresh and dewy looking, smooth, soft and even-toned.

Our feeling is you can make that dream a reality if you care for your skin in the best way possible. In our minds that’s cleansing morning and night, moisturising and using an extra product here and there to target your specific issues – if you have any. But lately we’ve also been seeing a LOT of toners on the shelves of our fave beauty stores. Toner. WTF! A gimmick surely?

We put this to celebrity makeup artist Helen Dowsley over a glass of champagne (okay – three). And this is what she said.

“Sorry. But yes. You need to use toner. After you cleanse in the morning and after you cleanse at night.”

Damn it.

Apparently, once skin is cleansed it needs a range of ingredients to restore and repair its surface. And toner is the perfect way to provide those.

“A liquid toner can instantly give skin a generous dose of these important substances in a way that a moisturiser can’t (lotion and cream moisturisers work in a different manner than liquids),” points out Paula Begoun, beauty expert and founder of the beauty line Paula’s Choice.

“The right toner can give your skin a healthy dose of what it needs to look younger, fresher, and smoother, right after cleansing and throughout the day, as well as provide a bit of extra cleansing just in case you missed some areas, such as around your hairline or jaw.”

Helen agrees. She insists all of her A-List clients use it and twice daily.

“They’re often sceptical too,” she explained.

“But when they see results they change their minds.”

Toners to try

 

Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner, $32,

 

 

Simple Soothing Facial Toner. $9.99.

La Mer The Oil Absorbing Tonic, $112.