What Happens When You Use Face Toner Everyday

Whether you hate it or love it, face toners are making a comeback. Typically the skincare step people seem to skip, it's said to rid your skin of excess oil and dirt and help target skin concerns. "Historically toners were used as a way to balance the pH of the skin after using an alkaline soap product for cleansing," Rebecca Kazin, MD, a dermatologist in Washington, told Women's Health. "The thought process has changed from just a typically astringent product. There are now more types of toners that provide different benefits." Christine Choi Kim, MD, a dermatologist for The Body Shop, agrees with Kazin, noting that toners have come a long way in recent years. But what results can you expect to see when you use a toner every day? 

"Many toners of today skip the alcohol and combine advanced anti-aging ingredients with gentle, natural ingredients and botanicals that purify and balance the skin, provide hydration, treat, and soothe all at once," Tammy Yaiser, vice president of product development at Algenis, told Byrdie. According to lead esthetician at Daphne's Studio, Gunna Covert, modern toners not only help your skin absorb other products but can even prevent a breakout. Toners "exfoliate, help balance the pH level of skin, and even help other skincare products penetrate deeper into skin," Covert explained.

When it comes to how often you should be using toner, it varies, but ideally, experts believe you should be integrating into your morning and night skincare regimes. "The time and consistency of how often you use toner really depend on your skin type, skin concerns, and ingredients in the toner," NYC cosmetic dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, told Byrdie, noting that you should slowly build up to twice-daily use to allow your skin to get used to it. If the toner isn't quite right for you, you may experience dryness and irritation and you should discontinue use immediately. To avoid this look for a product that's alcohol-free and has been formulated for your skin type.