From the Guidelines
Astringent toner has limited therapeutic benefits and may even be detrimental to certain skin types.
Benefits of Toners
While toners can help to balance the skin's pH and prepare it for further products, their benefits are largely dependent on individual skin types and concerns. Some toners contain ingredients such as witch hazel, tea tree oil, or salicylic acid, which have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce acne and soothe irritated skin. However, these benefits can often be achieved through other products, such as cleansers or moisturizers, that are already part of a skincare routine.
Limitations and Risks of Toners
Many toners contain a high concentration of alcohol or other astringent ingredients, which can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause dryness, irritation, or sensitivity 1. Additionally, some toners may contain fragrances or dyes that can irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions.
Alternative Therapies
Moisturizers, on the other hand, have been shown to improve skin barrier function and reduce transepidermal water loss, thereby increasing skin hydration 1. They have been indicated as primary therapy for mild atopic dermatitis and as adjunctive therapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Clinically, moisturizers lessen the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis, including erythema, fissuring, and pruritus. As a result, moisturizers may be a more effective and beneficial addition to a skincare routine than toners.
- Key considerations when evaluating the use of toners include individual skin type, concerns, and needs.
- The potential benefits of toners must be weighed against the potential risks of dryness, irritation, and sensitivity.
From the Research
Therapeutic Benefits of Astringent Toner
- Astringent toners have been found to have various therapeutic benefits, including reducing oiliness and improving skin hydration 2, 3.
- The use of guava toner, in particular, has been shown to significantly reduce oiliness on the forehead and nose, making it a suitable option for daily application to improve skin efficacy 2.
- Toner application, either alone or in combination with cream, has been found to increase skin hydration, with repeated toner application being more effective than spray water 3.
- Plant extracts, such as those found in astringent toners, have been reported to have moisturizing, anti-aging, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regenerative, wound healing, photoprotective, and anti-tyrosinase activities 4.
- Gallic acid, a phenolic phytochemical found in some plants, has been shown to exhibit powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer activities, making it a beneficial ingredient in cosmetics and nanocosmeceuticals 5.
- Neem, a traditional medicinal plant, has been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities, making it a potential therapy for the management of multimodal skin disorders 6.
Specific Benefits of Astringent Toner Ingredients
- Guava extract has been shown to reduce oiliness and improve skin efficacy 2.
- Gallic acid has been found to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer activities, making it a beneficial ingredient in cosmetics and nanocosmeceuticals 5.
- Neem has been found to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, analgesic, antiviral, antifungal, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities, making it a potential therapy for the management of multimodal skin disorders 6.
Application and Efficacy of Astringent Toner
- Toner application, either alone or in combination with cream, has been found to increase skin hydration 3.
- Repeated toner application has been found to be more effective than spray water in increasing skin hydration 3.
- The use of guava toner has been shown to significantly reduce oiliness on the forehead and nose, making it a suitable option for daily application to improve skin efficacy 2.