Astringent Vs. Toner: Which Is Better For Dry Skin?

Everyone wants a spotless, even complexion, and many people may gravitate towards an astringent or toner at the end of their regular skincare routine to restore balance to the skin. According to Verywell Health, toners and astringents (sometimes marketed as balancers, cleansing waters, fresheners, or essences and often packaged as mist, sprays, gels, and serums) were invented at a time where the only options for facial cleansers out there were bar soap and cold cream, which were not ideal for leaving your skin with a refreshed feeling. They should be applied with a dampened cotton ball or pad to the entire face and neck, and can also help with anti-aging, brightening, and texture.

Although toners and astringents may seem similar on paper, there is one key difference between the two that is essential for you to know so that you can consider what'll work best for you based on your skin type. If you have dry skin, it is imperative that you know whether or not a toner or astringent is ideal for your face, as using the wrong one could cause some potential problems. Keep scrolling to find out whether an astringent or toner is best for dry skin.

Although astringent and toner are both water based skincare products, used after cleanser and before lotion to remove excess makeup and residue from the skin, the key difference between the two is that astringents are also formulated to combat acne, making them not ideal for those with dry skin. Since astringents are more likely to contain ingredients such as salicylic acid or higher concentrations of alcohol, they can often be too drying or mattifying for those with parched pores.

Verywell Health also noted that since toners tend to have hydrating properties, they are a better option for dry skin than astringents. "Generally, toner is a milder, gentler product," dermatologist Ava Shamban told Byrdie. "The toners of today also often contain glycolics or glycerins, which help keep water in the skin cells and soothe the skin while limiting the overproduction of sebum."

For dry pores, it is best to opt for a toner with humectant (moisturizing) ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, aloe, rose water, and more to leave your skin looking and feeling its best.