I always thought toner was just for printers

       It really depends on what you are looking for to help your skin maintain its natural balance. What that means is that toner helps retain moisture and natural oil on your skin. After using lots of different types of toner, I am very particular about what I want. I look for a toner that doesn’t dry out my skin, contains aloe and vitamin C, organic and herbal.

      Humectants help retain moisture in the upper layers of the skin by preventing it from evaporating. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps to increase the synthesis of collagen, which slows down the signs of aging. It helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Aloe reduces inflammation, redness and soothes the skin. I have found some toners that have one ingredient, but do not meet my criteria.

        What I consider as coming close to the best was Chamomile Skin Toner by Paul Penders, priced at $17.95 and I used to buy it from Veganessentials.com through their catalog. Chamomile helps soothe dry skin and herbal skin care works for all skin types. It also has Vitamin C, along with many other herbal ingredients, including witch hazel. Witch hazel is an antioxidant used in many acne creams and acts as an astringent. After using this product for awhile, which was effective for a long time, started to dry out my skin. If you have oily skin, this may be a very good choice.

          If you want to splurge, Chanel’s Lotion Tendre is alcohol-free and lightly fragranced. It is $36.00 and you can find it at any department store. It left my skin soft and felt moisturized. However, the bottle has 6.8 oz. and would have to get a refill every other month, which can get pricey. Toners can be expensive, but I find it necessary in maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

          My most recent discovery is a firming toner by Be Fine and it fits most of my criteria. It is about $15.99 at CVS. It has 3.4 fl oz. It is allergen fragrance free and has vegetarian proteins. Their natural active ingredients are willow bark and ginger. Willow bark is said to contain salicyclic acid (used in acne ointments and face washes), helps close pores leaving the skin looking and feeling firmer. Ginger is an antioxidant that prevents free radical damage (Free radicals are highly reactive, unstable molecules that cause damage to healthy cells, leading to internal aging as well as visible signs of external aging). Another function is that it increases circulation and also starts new cell growth. When I use it, my skin doesn’t feel firmer, but it makes me feel good seeing my skin look more radiant. It’s a new product, so I am still testing it out.

       Before applying toner, your first step is to cleanse the face. Wash your face with warm water to open up the pores. Always apply your cleansing product to the skin in upward strokes, rub lightly near the eyes to avoid irritating wrinkles. Rinse thoroughly with warm water for several minutes. Finish with a splash of cold water to close the pores.

      Next, you apply a facial toner, which further removes dirt and soap residue for a thorough cleansing. It also helps close the pores, stimulates circulation and gives the skin a glow-like quality.

       Lastly, moisturize your skin, even if you have oily skin. It helps replenish the skin, regain moisture that is lost from washing and help retain moisture throughout your day. Gently dab lotion around the eyes to avoid aggravating wrinkles. Once or twice a week, use a mask for a deep clean in the pores and rejuvenate the skin by getting rid of dead skin cells. Stick with a product for 4-6 weeks for results.