Toner or Astringent: Which Should You Use for Your Skin and Why?

The beauty industry is rapidly expanding, making it difficult to keep up with the latest skincare products. While the benefits of essentials like moisturizers and sunscreens are well known, products like toners and astringents are often considered interchangeable. While both target the surface of the skin, their goals and effects are different. Understanding the distinction between these two can be helpful in your skincare routine. When it comes to toner vs astringent, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right product for your skin type.

What is a toner?

A toner is a water-based product used after cleansing the skin. It is usually an additional cleansing step that removes makeup, oil, and dirt, while balancing the skin’s pH. A toner is essential for improving the absorption of active ingredients and preparing the skin for other skincare products. It is excellent for all skin types and can be applied throughout the day to keep the skin fresh. According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, toners can also help hydrate the skin when used regularly, making it softer and smoother.

What are the benefits of skin toner?

Using a skin toner can help:

1. Deep cleaning

While your cleanser removes surface makeup and dirt, toners penetrate deeper to extract residual impurities, oil, and dead skin cells, as found in a study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science. This provides a thorough cleanse and prevents clogged pores. So if you’re looking for a deep cleanse, using a toner can be a helpful skincare product.

2. Maintains pH balance

If you wear makeup a lot and only wash your face with a cleanser or facial wash, this can lead to an alteration of the skin’s pH, but don’t worry! Toners can help restore the skin’s natural pH after cleansing, as found in a study published in the Cosmetics Journal, which can be altered by some harsh cleansers or facial washes of your choice.

3. Hydration

In hot or humid weather, if your skin is feeling dehydrated, using a toner can give it a boost of hydration. Many modern toners contain humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which draw moisture into the skin, keeping it hydrated. According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science, toners can also help hydrate and moisturize your skin when used regularly, making it feel softer and smoother.

4. Minimizes pores

If open pores are causing more skin problems, try incorporating toner into your skincare routine. Toners can help tighten and reduce the appearance of pores, giving your skin a smoother, more refined appearance, says dermatologist Dr. Chinjitha T Davis.

5. Soothing and calming effect

“Ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera provide a calming effect on the skin, reducing redness and irritation. So, after a hectic and tiring day, you can apply toner to reduce the appearance of redness and irritation and give your skin a much-needed soothing effect,” suggests the expert. However, more research is needed to prove this claim.

What are the side effects of tonic?

Although toners are generally beneficial for the skin, it is essential to use them correctly and select a product that is suitable for your skin type. Improper use or the wrong toner can cause the following negative effects:

1. Irritation

Certain chemicals in toners are common causes of skin sensitivity. They can strip away the skin’s natural oils, causing redness, dryness, and inflammation. Toners can irritate sensitive skin. Even gentle formulations can cause discomfort.

2. Dryness

Applying toner too regularly can disrupt your skin’s natural moisture balance, causing dryness and tightness. Additionally, using a toner that’s too astringent for your skin type will strip away vital oils, resulting in dehydration.

Read also: Do you really need to use a skin toner?

What is astringent?

Astringents are stronger than toners and are primarily used to remove excess oil from the skin. They often contain alcohol or witch hazel and are targeted at oily or acne-prone skin. Astringents are not recommended for daily skin care.

What are the benefits of astringent?

Here are some of the benefits of astringent, as found in a study published in the World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

1. Shrinking pores

One of the most important benefits of astringents is their potential to tighten pores, which improves the texture and appearance of the skin. Astringents reduce the diameter of pores by tightening the skin tissue, making them less noticeable. This effect creates a smoother, more even skin tone, giving it a refined and polished appearance.

2. Oil check

Astringents play an important role in controlling sebum production, making them essential for those with oily or combination skin. By controlling sebum production, astringents help prevent sebum buildup that can clog pores and cause acne breakouts.

3. Skin toning

Astringents are strong skin tonics that help restore the skin’s natural pH balance and remove contaminants after cleansing. This toning action not only revitalizes the skin, but also prepares it for further skincare treatments, ensuring maximum adaptability to subsequent products. As a result, the skin is refreshed and rejuvenated.

What are the side effects of astringent?

Here are some side effects of astringent, as pointed out by the expert.

1. Dryness

Because of their high alcohol content, astringents can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness and flaking.

2. Irritation

Strong astringents can irritate sensitive skin, causing redness and discomfort.

3. Overproduction of oil

Paradoxically, excessively depriving the skin of sebum can induce the sebaceous glands to produce even more as a compensatory mechanism.

Tonic vs. Astringent: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between a skin toner and astringent is their composition and intended use. Toners are gentler and suitable for all skin types, as they focus on hydration and pH balance. In contrast, astringents are stronger, mostly alcohol-based, and aim to control sebum and minimize pores, making them useful only for oily or acne-prone skin.

Tonic or Astringent: Which is Better?

Choosing between a toner and an astringent depends on your skin type and concerns. For most people, especially those with normal, dry, or sensitive skin, an alcohol-free toner is the best choice because of its hydrating and soothing properties. Those with oily or acne-prone skin may benefit more from an astringent’s oil-controlling abilities, but should use it judiciously to avoid irritation and dryness.