Are TONERS Overhyped?

Are Toners overhyped? 

In an interview with the Insider.Com, Dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali said that a toner is the most overrated product when it comes to skincare. 

Toners(or Skin Toners), as you may or may not be aware, are skin care products used to remove dirt particles, bacteria and makeup, alongside pollution and dust that a cleanser may leave behind. In simpler words, toners remove all the extra grime or oil or other particles like dirt, bacteria and like from your face, and contrary to popular belief, toners do NOT minimize pores; while the word ‘tone’ in itself means to improve the normal firmness of a tissue or the skin, help to shrink the open pore and maintain the pH of the skin, a toner cannot actually tone the skin and simply aids in hydrating one’s skin, or in some cases, treating it. 

Toners, with their water-like texture and feel, are made up of a variety of beneficial ingredients including but not limited to salicylic acid and aloe vera. There are different types of toners for different skin types, like Hydrating toners for people with dry skin, or Purifying toners for people with oil or acne-prone complexions. 

Now the question that has to be tackled is, are toners actually overhyped?, and the answer, like mentioned in the beginning, is yes. In the same survey by Insider.Com, it was revealed that many patients feel that alcohol-based toners give their skin a clean freshness while that’s not what happens because, as mentioned before, different types of toners for different skin types, and their purpose is to remove the excess, nothing more nothing less. Instead, the excess use of the same can cause irritation or drying. 

It is highly recommended that you do not use alcohol-based toners, as also proven by the above mentioned statement by dermatologist Ritu Saini from the previously mentioned survey, and avoid them all together if you have a sensitive skin or have seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea (chronic inflammatory skin disorders that cause redness, scales, and itching in the face or scalp).

The use of toners, in no way, is a mandate for a healthier and better skin. No matter how much money you spend on a toner, it doesn’t change that the basic functioning of the product is to clean, not minimize pores as is widely believed. They can easily be replaced by serums that are meant for your skin type. 

All this raises the question, Why are Toners so popular? In an interview, Joshua Zeichner, The Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, said that “there are toners on the market to address almost every skin concern and are no longer limited to treating acne and oily skin” . Some studies also suggest that the rise of the popularity of K-Pop, and Korean Culture, including K-Beauty, in recent years has also been a driving factor in the rising use of toners, as many prominent K-Popstars have mentioned and recommended the use of toners when asked about their personal makeup and skincare preferences. 

In conclusion, we would like to provide a TL;DR of all the main points that were discussed throughout the blogs:-

• No matter how expensive a toner is, it cannot, at any point, minimize pores, despite what the word ‘tone’ stands for. Again, their only function is to remove all the extra muck your face accumulates and hydrate it. 
• Toners are not a compulsory step in your skin care routine, and can be easily replaced with serums that are meant for your skin type
• When used in excess, Toners can cause irritation or dryness. It is recommended to avoid using Alcohol-based toners, and avoid them altogether if your skin is sensitive or you have  seborrheic dermatitis or rosacea.

Sources

https://www.instagram.com/p/Celo6suocsk/

https://www.nordstrom.com/blog/what-does-face-toner-do

https://www.insider.com/skin-care-things-doesnt-work-makes-skin-worse-2018-8#getting-a-base-tan-before-vacation-can-still-cause-trouble-2

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7423217/#:~:text=Rosacea%20and%20seborrheic%20dermatitis%20are,the%20basis%20of%20clinical%20features.

https://womanlylive.com/toner-overhyped-or-important-skincare-step/

https://www.vogue.in/content/skin-care-tips-basics-benefits-of-toner-for-glowing-skin