Skin Toners

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

17 Sep 2008 09:43 AM

I became a fan of skin toners after acting in a Halloween show. I was playing a witch, and they had done me up a la the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz: green skin and all. With all that makeup on my face, neck, and hands, I was sure I was going to end up breaking out.

Another actress in the show offered me an aloe-based cleanser and skin toner for clean-up. I wasn't sure if it would help, but figured it wouldn't hurt. I used the cleanser and toner faithfully every night after the show... and much to my amazement, I didn't have a single zit!

What do toners do for your skin?

• They can clear away traces of oil and makeup that cleansers may leave behind.
• They can help restore the pH balance of your skin.
• They can make your skin feel cool and refreshed!

If you're interested in trying a toner, you want to avoid products that contain alcohol or benzoyl peroxide -- both of those ingredients can be very drying to the skin. Witch hazel, cucumber, and aloe vera are far gentler on the delicate skin of your face.

Do you know your skin type? I have combination skin -- oily in some places (like on my nose and chin) and dry in others (on my forehead). I usually pick products for sensitive skin because I've had so many allergy problems throughout my life. I find that I do better with all-natural ingredients, rather than synthetics (same goes for fragrances: natural ones don't bother me but some synthetic ones do).

Using a skin toner doesn't add a lot of time and effort to your daily grooming. Just apply the toner with a cotton ball or other soft cloth after washing! Right now I'm using an all-natural cucumber, witch hazel, and chamomile toner. It even helps get rid of any sticky wax residue after I wax my eyebrows.

Toners are good stuff, but like any skin care product, should be used in moderation. I only use it every few days, but it helps keep my skin happy!

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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Ismail (6) 01 Apr 2009 10:23 PM

What is the best toners to hide cosmetically skin disease vitiligo ( http://vitiligo.blog.co.uk/ ) It is chronic pigmentation disorder causing white dis colored patches on skin.

Aimee Amodio (12040) 03 Apr 2009 11:32 AM

Skin toners don't actually hide or cover up your skin, Ismail -- they're more like a final rinse for your skin. Well, except that many of them stay on the skin and don't get rinsed off like soap. Most of them are colorless and have the consistiency of water, so while you might smell them, you probably won't be able to see them.

I don't know much about vitiligo, so I can't offer any advice on what kind of cover-up or foundation you might want to try... sorry! A doctor or dermatologist might have some suggestions for you.