Skin Care Diaries – The Toners

After chatting about my favourite cleansers and cleansing tools, this week leads us to toners. I’m really enjoying sharing my current skincare products with you and from the messages and feedback I have received, it does seem that many of us are either using the same products or have been introduced to new products that could possibly be great for the skin. When it comes to toners, I was always a little bit meh about them. At one point, they were just bottles of fragranced water that seemed a bit pointless. In the 20 or so years that I’ve been interested in skincare, the difference in toners from the 90s to now is massive. Toners, essences, waters – they all have a purpose and the ones that I am including in this post are firm favourites that I’m either on my second or third bottle of. I do think I’m kind of set in my way when it comes to toners but these are the ones that work for my combination skin.

The first product has changed my skin so much that I can’t help but rave about it to anyone who asks what I have been using. From Erborian, the home of K Beauty, this Bamboo Matte Lotion* is a bi phase lotion that contains a mattifying powder within the bottle. Shake it up before use and apply to the skin in the morning to prep skin for makeup and to remove any oily residue. It makes my skin feel extremely hydrated which is down to the natural properties of the bamboo, whilst the mattifying powder draws out any excess sebum. I have raved about the range previously so please do give it a read.

I swear by the Estee Lauder Micro Essence and whilst it is one of the most expensive skincare products that I own, it hasn’t stopped me from repurchasing. An essence usually has extra benefits compared to a toner and the Micro Essence has been by my side since my flying days. I do use this alongside my ANR (more on that soon) and it has really helped my skin reap the benefits. The aim of Micro Essence is to activate skins natural glow and absorption, which is why it works so well with ANR as well as pushing the replenishing properties. I started off using this with a cotton pad but now I put 5-6 drops in the palm of my hand and press it into the skin instead. You can feel it sinking into the skin and it’s just one of the nicest products. My last 150ml bottle lasted me quite sometime, and although this has been opened for a number of weeks, you can see how far a few drops go. Definitely worth every penny.

When my skin needs a little helping hand in tackling blemishes, my first stop is with Paula’s Choice. Featured quite heavily back in 2014 and 2015, Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant was the wonder product that helped combat my adult acne and left me with fresh, beautiful and unmarked skin. These days I rarely get blemishes, but every now and again I need a liquid exfoliant to help take that top layer of dead skin cells off. When using any liquid acids, I need to up the SPF in the day as the skin is a lot more vulnerable to the elements as the salicylic acid works its magic. I do need to draw attention to the fact that due to the way acids work, I do have to change my skincare routine. When I use AHA’s and BHA’s, I avoid using any retinol products at the same time as this can cause redness and irritation. I do find Paula’s Choice to be one of the stronger lotions with salicyclic acid that I do own so when I need something a little less hardworking, I jump onto the Caudalie.

If you’ve been reading my blog for sometime, you’ll know that I have a massive love for Caudalie. I don’t think there’s a product I’ve tried that I haven’t loved or didn’t work. Aside from the incredibly gorgeous scented products, I find that the ranges from Caudalie slip into my routine with ease. Like a cross between my Erborian Mattifying Lotion and the Paula’s Choice BHA, the Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Toner* is a delightful mix of the two. Gentle on the skin, it purifies the surface to reduce imperfections and refine the skins texture. The level of salicylic acid isn’t too strong so it can be used daily with no adverse effects. Skin does look matte after use of the toner but it doesn’t dry you out. It’s not only a great toner if you have problematic skin but if like myself, and just need a helping hand to keep skin balanced, this is the toner to do it.

I’m adding the next toner because it’s sadly been discontinued and it’s my last bottle. I have been known to have several back ups of my favourite products and whilst I’m not 100% sure when the Clarins Gentle Exfoliating Toner got discontinued, I am very sad to learn that this is my last bottle of the good stuff. I’ve had a look online at Clarins and I can’t see anything that would be similar right now. As gentle as it’s name, the liquid exfoliates dead skin cells away with ease, leaving skin looking healthy and bright with no tingle or redness. I think that now I’ve shared my last bottle, it’s time to move on and find a new alternative.

The last two toners have been somewhat of a revelation since I started using them. I must have been through several of the 100ml bottles of all of the toners that Pixi have released and now I’m making a headstart through the larger ones. I’m very lucky that Pixi Beauty have been keeping me fully topped up with their products for many a year and whilst I originally started on the iconic Pixi Glow Tonic, I have since moved onto the newer offerings. Whilst Pixi Glow Tonic is still the best for a glycolic toner, I don’t reach for it as much as I should these days. Instead, I have found that the Retinol Toner has become much more of a love of mine. I’m going to go into retinol a little more in depth in a future post but for now, the reason why I’m loving the retinol toner is due to the stimulation of my skin and the reduction of my fine lines. The toner has a slow release retinol that rejuvenates the skin over time. It’s not harsh, nor does it cause any redness or irritation. My skin feels so soft and smooth as it works its magic and the jasmine flower infused toner keeps skin balanced and soothed. Should I feel that I have had too much retinol on my skin, the Pixi Rose Toner takes over to keep my skin at it’s best whilst soothing, smoothing and hydrating. I cannot profess my love for Pixi enough and I’ve just taken delivery of the brand new Vitamin C toner which so far I’m really enjoying using.

I do think that with toners and the different ingredients in them that it’s a very subjective subject, just like all other skincare but if you are looking for products that do increase absorption, help mattify the skin and also help with anti-ageing, then these are ones to consider.

Do you have a favourite toner or lotion? I’d love to hear more.