Do You Use Toner Before or After Moisturizer?
Written by
May Willis
Published
Friday, 22 Nov 2024
15 min. read
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CottonNow is incubated at the Harvard Innovation Lab.
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With 10+ years struggling with acne & skin conditions, we understand what it’s like.
Hello, skincare enthusiasts! Have you ever stood in front of your mirror with a bottle of toner in one hand and a moisturizer in the other, wondering which one goes on your face first? You're not alone! Today, we're going to explore the roles of toner and moisturizer in depth, and settle the order of application once and for all. These two staples can make or break your skincare routine, and it’s crucial to use them correctly to get the best results for your skin.
Spoiler alert, you should always apply toner first before a moisturizer. However, before we deep dive into the reasons behind this, let's first understand the products we are dealing with.
Our goal in this blog post is to give you a comprehensive guide not just on the order you should apply yoner and moisturer in, but also what are toners and moisturizers. Let's understand the basics first so that you can make educated decisions for yourself!
I. Deep Dive into Toner
What is a Toner?
Toner is more than just a refreshing liquid; it’s a crucial step that completes the cleansing of your skin, removing any remaining bits of oil, dirt, and debris. After washing your face, a good toner will remove residual impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Toner also restores the pH balance of your skin, which can be disrupted after cleansing.
Types of Toners and Their Superpowers
A. Hydrating Toners
These are a blessing for dry or dehydrated skin. Ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid help to draw and lock in moisture.
B. Exfoliating Toners
Perfect for those with oily or acne-prone skin, these toners contain beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) or alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently exfoliate the skin, preventing the buildup of dead skin cells and unclogging pores.
C. Soothing Toners
Ideal for sensitive or irritated skin, soothing toners feature ingredients like rose water or chamomile, which calm inflammation and redness.
Why Toner Prepares Your Skin for Success
Applying toner not only ensures your skin is impeccably clean, but it also opens up the pores and prepares it to receive the full benefits of the moisturizers or treatments that follow. Think of it as priming your canvas before painting; it results in a much smoother and more vibrant end product.
II. The Mighty Moisturizer
What is Moisturizer?
Moisturizer is the guardian of your skin’s hydration. It seals in the moisture that your skin needs to stay flexible, soft, and healthy. A good moisturizer doesn’t just add moisture to your skin, but also protects it from environmental aggressors that can cause dryness and irritation.
Exploring Different Types of Moisturizers
A. Occlusives
These work by forming a physical barrier on the surface of your skin to prevent water loss. They’re particularly great for very dry or eczema-prone skin.
B. Humectants
These attract moisture from the environment (and deeper layers of the skin) to the outer layer of your skin. They are fantastic for normal to oily skin types that might need hydration without heavy oils.
C. Emollients
These are most beneficial for aging or dry skin as they smooth out the spaces between skin flakes, which results in incredibly soft skin.
How Moisturizers Protect and Nourish Your Skin
Beyond hydration, moisturizers help to fortify your skin’s barrier, enhancing its natural defenses against pollution, toxins, and bacteria. Regular use of a good moisturizer can improve your skin’s texture, elasticity, and overall appearance.
Now that you understand what exactly are toners and moisturizers, let's take a look at the order you should apply them in.
III. The Correct Order: Toner Before Moisturizer
Understanding the Science of Skincare Layers
The skin’s ability to absorb skincare products depends significantly on the molecular size of the ingredients and the skin's current condition. Toners are typically composed of smaller molecules that penetrate the skin quickly and prepare it for subsequent products. Moisturizers, on the other hand, often contain larger molecules and are designed to create a barrier on the skin that locks in moisture and protects against environmental aggressors.
This is why toners should always be applied first before your moisturizer. If you apply a thick moisturizer before the toner, then your toner might not be absorbed by the skin at all!
Why Toner Comes First
A.Preparation for Hydration
After cleansing, the skin can feel stripped of its natural oils, which slightly raises its pH level and disrupts the skin barrier. Applying toner helps to quickly restore the pH balance and better prepare the skin to absorb the moisturizer more effectively.
B. Enhanced Absorption
By clearing the pores and removing any residual impurities, toner provides a cleaner surface, enhancing the skin’s permeability and allowing the moisturizer to penetrate more deeply rather than just sitting on top of the skin.
C. Activation of Ingredients
Some toners contain active ingredients that, when applied before moisturizer, can prime the skin to better react with the hydrating agents of moisturizers, maximizing the efficacy of both products.
IV. Considering Different Perspectives
While the general consensus supports using toner before moisturizer, it’s important to consider that skincare is deeply personal and can vary based on skin type, climate, and even the specific products being used. We generally agree that toners should always be used before moisturizers, but whether or not you use a toner or what type of moisturizer you should use at different times of the day should be different.
So if you are interesting in learning more about these products, read on!
A. For Dry or Sensitive Skin
Individuals with dry or sensitive skin might choose to use a very gentle, hydrating toner or might even skip toner and use thermal spring water or a softening essence, which can be followed by a rich moisturizer to lock in moisture without causing irritation.
B. For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
For those dealing with oily or acne-prone skin, using an exfoliating toner with ingredients like salicylic acid followed by a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer can help manage oil production and prevent breakouts.
C. For Combination Skin
People with combination skin might use different types of toners and moisturizers on different areas of their face, addressing varying needs by applying moisturizing toner and a heavier cream on dry patches and a clarifying toner with a gel-based moisturizer on oily areas.
Expert Insights and Recommendations
Dermatologists and skincare professionals often emphasize the importance of consistency and proper application technique in any skincare routine. They recommend applying toner with a soft cotton pad or with our very own PureNatura towels, ensuring it is fully absorbed before applying moisturizer. This method can prevent over-rubbing or pulling on the skin, which can cause irritation.
V. Ending Remarks
Making an Educated Decision
You should always apply a toner before a moisturizer. But when deciding whether to use toner or not before moisturizer, consider:
A. Your Skin’s Needs
Assess whether your skin feels overly dry, tight, or oily after cleansing.
B. Product Ingredients
Look at the active ingredients in both your toner and moisturizer and determine how they can complement each other.
C. Personal Preferences and Results
Ultimately, the best guideline is your own experience. If your current routine is working well for you, there may be no need to change it. However, experimenting with the order and observing the results can also lead to surprising discoveries about what works best for your skin.
By understanding the roles and benefits of each product and considering your unique skin type and concerns, you can tailor a skincare routine that effectively harnesses the benefits of both toner and moisturizer, leading to healthier, more radiant skin.
See you in the next one!
Now that you know how to find the right toner and moisturizer and apply them in the correct order, stick to your routine for at least a month and see the great results come in!
Q&A
Using toner before moisturizer helps to prepare the skin by cleansing and restoring pH balance, which enhances the effectiveness of the moisturizer by allowing deeper absorption and better hydration.
Yes, applying moisturizer before toner can create a barrier that prevents the toner from penetrating effectively, which could reduce its benefits and disrupt the overall balance and health of your skin.
For oily skin, using toner before moisturizer can help remove excess oil, minimize the appearance of pores, and properly prepare the skin for hydration without making it overly greasy.
