What is Toner? Why should I use a Toner? What does it do?

Did you know your  skin is naturally acidic, normally with a pH balance of between 5  or 6. After cleansing, the pH balance of skin can be disturbed due to the alkaline nature of soaps and cleansers. 
Using a Toner helps to restore this balance more quickly so your skin doesn’t have to work so hard. It also helps hold back excess oil. Toner is essential in shrinking pores and making them appear smaller.

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Why should you use the a Toner
Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin.   It can provide extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin care products such as sun screen. In the summer, due to elevated humility and hot conditions, your skin will produce more sweat which essentially a cooling system but does contain a bit of waste, toner helps to clean the way of the additional waste from your pores. 


There are several moisturizers that have a toner included to streamline the process. However, because I do suffer from Adult Hormonal Acne (especially in the  summer), I use a Toner separate from my moisturizer. 


How to Apply Toner
Apply a dime sized amount of toner on a cotton wipe (ball or pad).  I only apply this where I have acne issues, however you can apply an light amount of Toner all over your face and neck. 


Here are a few tips:
1- Avoid delicate skin around the mouth and eyes. 
2- Do not apply a lot of pressure when wiping your face with the toner, instead allow the fibers of your cotton ball or cotton pad do the work. 

Because, this is an additional cleanser, you don’t need a lot in any one use. The 5 oz bottle pictured lasts me about 6 months, so the $15 price tag doesn't sting at all. The Mary Kay Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner contains Salicylic Acid  which is specially designed to help with acne, and it does help me! If you do not have acne woes, there are several alternatives that are a bit cheaper and will cleans away any residue that your cleanser leaves behind.