The Magic of Toners
It’s been all over the internet. Toners are great for your skin. Toners are terrible for your skin. This dermatologist says you should tone twice a day! This dermatologist says throw those toners away!
Poetry aside, before we ask ourselves if toners are necessary in our skincare routines. We have to understand what they are and what they’re supposed to do.
Back in the good ol’ days (I’m talking the 90s and early oughts, what a time!), toners were usually filled to the brim with alcohol and other ingredients known as ‘astringents’, meant to clear the pores and tighten up the skin. While these toners did technically do their jobs, they also horribly damaged the skin’s defensive barrier, leaving it red, irritated, and exposed to further external damage.
So, dermatologists came to a conclusion: toners? “Who needs ‘em? Throw ‘em out!” And in the case of these ‘astringent’ toners, that is definitely the truth.
But, times have changed and toners these days have so much more to offer than those of the past.
Toner can have a place in everyone’s skincare routine, regardless of their skin type! As a matter of fact, there are toners designed to address dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin, acne-prone skin, and more!
Overall, a good toner should refresh your skin and clear off any extra residue left after cleansing without damaging the moisture barrier.
OxygenCeuticals has a great selection of toners to choose from according to your skin type! Each of our toners is specially formulated to handle a variety of skincare concerns from dry and aging skin to oily, acne prone skin to overheated, sensitive skin!
The Nutrient Toner is an essence-type toner for dry and aging skin. It’s formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, which maintains the skin’s natural moisture for longer. Portulaca Oleracea Extract (or Little Hogweed for the less botanically-inclined) moisturizes the skin and supports comfort against environmental stress. And finally, Allantoin, a chemical compound found naturally in several plants like Chamomile and the Sugar Beet, soothes the skin.
To use it: After cleansing, soak a cotton pad with the toner and apply it to the skin to rid the skin of any leftover residue.
A special tip! If you have a particularly dry spot on your skin, soak a few cotton pads with the Nutrient Toner to create a DIY mummy mask and let the nutrients soak into and hydrate the skin.
The Skin Balancing Toner is a gentle water-type toner with a balanced pH of 5.0. It helps restore the skin’s natural pH after cleansing, while regulating sebum and balancing the skin’s moisture levels.
It is formulated with Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Lavender Extract and Freesia Refracta Extract, which soothe and revitalize the skin.
This makes the toner ideal for oily, acne-prone skin, and it is suitable for irritated and sensitive skin.
To use: After cleanser, apply the toner onto the face with a cotton pad and wipe away any leftover residue from cleansing.
OxygenCeuticals’ Toning Gel is a different kind of toner. This toner starts out with a light, gel consistency that immediately becomes liquid upon application to the skin. Formulated with Centella Asiatica, Licorice Root Extract and Allantoin, it delivers calming and soothing hydration.
It is specially formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, yet suitable for all skin types, and gentle enough to be used on sensitive, dry, mature and aging skin without irritation.
The Toning Gel is so multi-functional that we love to mix it with some of our other products to maximize its benefits. For example, mix it with the Clarifying Mask to create a soft, creamy consistency that allows the mask to stay moist for longer and allows your skin to absorb all the nutrients from the Kaolin Clay.
Or, for a hydrating sleeping mask, mix it with our HA Gel to create an ultra-moisturizing gel mask to wear overnight!
To use the toning gel:
- Apply an adequate amount to the face at the toner step.
- Gently tap into the skin to fully absorb.
But what if you need something thats quick and simple? A mist toner might be just the thing! OxygenCeuticals’ Cryogenic Activator is an oxygen-infused deep sea water mist that instantly hydrates, soothes and refreshes the skin.
It’s a great toner for sensitive skin that reacts to even the slightest irritation.
Formulated with Deep Sea Water, which is mineral-rich and delivers deep, lasting hydration. Oxygen promotes healthy skin respiration for revitalized, glowing skin.
To use the Cryogenic Activator:
- After cleansing, mist evenly over the face.
- Lightly pat until absorbed. To help calm the skin, soak a cotton pad with Cryogenic Activator and place it on the face.
And last, but certainly not the least, is OxygenCeuticals’ D:O2 Activator! D:O2, or Double Oxygen Boost Activator, is another mist type toner that soothes and cools the skin.
This mist is no joke, either. The D:O2 Activator provides instant cooling, with skin temperature measured from 32.2° to 25.9° in a cooling test (results may vary), and relieves redness. It contains Deep Sea Water, which is mineral-rich and soothes sensitive skin, together with Oxygen, which purifies skin and balances oil and moisture.
Its base oxygen cartridge delivers certified dissolved oxygen over 125ppm, and the formula is antioxidant, protecting skin against free radical damage.
Deep Sea Water and Oxygen together provide instant hydration and long-lasting moisture. The D:O2 is a triple-threat toner that will keep your skin healthy and glowing!
To use the D:O2 Activator: before first use, remove the locking tab and twist the bottom cap right to activate the oxygen cartridge.
- After cleansing, before or after procedures, spray 20 to 30cm from the face and pat to absorb.
So there we have it! The toners of the past may have become obsolete with their harsh actives and stripping astringents, but now, toners can do so much more. OxygenCeuticals’ toners come in a variety of types, textures, and uses, all with healthy skin in mind.
So, take your pick and discover the magic of OxygenCeuticals’ toner line!
Breathe life into your skin!
Until next time!