Here are the top 10 skin toner for all skin types in 2018

Ladies, let’s face it we aren’t getting any younger. Aside from momentary relapses in memory, our bodies, specifically our faces, are not as flawless as it used to be.  You might have accidentally squinted your eyes while looking at a mirror and saw a (heavens forbid) wrinkle!

While we can’t really avoid the signs of aging, we can at least slow it down, right?

Have you ever wondered how the Koreans’, male and female alike, could have skin that looks so perfect? Well, it’s usually the result of 8 skin care steps in the morning and another 10 steps at night, that famous “Korean Skin Care Routine”.. Tedious work isn't it? But we'll leave that for another day.

Thanks to worldwide dermatologists and beauty gurus' spiritual dedication to skincare, the toner game has since leveled up. Toners today are basically magic water full of essential elements such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and glycerin to hydrate our skin. I personally think toners are tiny molecules that prepare my skin so that the next step could be fully absorbed by my face.

Let's have a look at the best skin toners available for our faces today (in no specific order).

Sort of a cult classic and an all-time fan favorite, this Thayers Natural Remedies toner is made with rose-petal water, aloe vera, and Witch Hazel extract, a natural astringent to remove excess oil. Aside from oil-control, this toner hydrates, smoothens the skin, boosts collagen and minimizes pores. Compared to others, it comes in a relatively bigger bottle that will last you a few months of continued use.

An alcohol-free toner that is enriched with anti-oxidizing green tea extract, this product will refresh, soften and tighten the skin. Users with dry skin are advised to use toners with the ingredient sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronic acid that help to make the skin plump.

People with acne-prone skin types rejoice. This toner is a tried-and-tested weapon to win the battle against acne. It also helps remove any makeup or residue, which can clog the pores thus creating an irritation. The shake-to-activate mattifying powders will leave the skin feeling clean and clear.

Organic Jasmine Water is the base ingredient for this toner. It is infused with green tea, which is a natural antioxidant and aloe vera. It is formulated to bring balance to people with combination skin type. This Herbivore toner is also alcohol-free and uses specially picked ingredients that will bring a therapeutic effect when applied to the face.

Aging skin that is showing the signs of wrinkles and pigmentation need to use this magical toner that fans swear by. Made with grapefruit extract and glycolic acid, this Mario Badescu toner will exfoliate, refresh, and stimulate dry and congested skin, leaving it looking years younger.

A toner that is light on the pocket and on the face, Neutragena’s alcohol-free formulation will clean and refresh your skin without the tightness, dryness and stinging aftereffect. This toner also contains mild purifiers that work to gently remove dirt and help recondition the skin.

PCA Skin’s Nutrient Toner is a pumpkin-wine based toner that is designed to reduce the appearance of pores, to gently exfoliate the skin and to add the necessary nutrients it needs. This contains the ingredient called “lactic acid” which is something to look for especially for those who have normal or combination skin types.

While on the expensive side of the aisle, Lancôme’s products are sure to be gentle on the skin. This particular toner, or a smoothing and plumping pearly lotion, as how they would like to call it, has been inspired by Korean skin care routines. Its ingredients like vitamin E and microdroplets of hydrating oils act like moisture magnets that will ensure that the next product used on the face will be fully absorbed.

Different from the others, this matcha toner by Milk Makeup is solid like a lip balm! It even looks like one. It is made with a concealed gel formula that is paraben-free and eco-friendly, a first to hit the market. Common ingredients to be found are witch hazel, kombucha, a fermented type of green tea, and cactus elixir that work to hydrate the skin, tighten the pores and remove excess oils.

Just like its namesake, this Fresh facial toner will leave your face fresh for as long as six hours after application. It is infused with real rose petals that will cleanse the skin of debris, pollution and impurities.

Because toners used to have a bad reputation, people today are still steering away from this product where in fact, it should come in second in your skin care routine, right after cleansing or washing your face. Adding a skin toner to your daily skin care routine will greatly benefit your face. The common effects mentioned above across the different brands were: balances your skin’s pH levels, tightens pores, thoroughly cleanses and refreshes the skin, reduces skin aging and helps your skin absorb the next product you apply.

Aside from applying it to your face to get desired results, did you know that you can even use your toner to prevent ingrown hair usually caused by waxing, shaving or plucking? It doesn’t have to be limited to your face either. Facial toners can be used for cleansing  and soothing areas like your neck, chest, back and shoulders.

If you don't have time to thoroughly wash your face, your toner can also function as a face mist that will quickly revitalize your skin.

A skin toner is not at all hard to use, with directions usually being one to two sentences long only.

Your toner should be applied after you have washed your skin and before applying your serum or moisturizer. A wet cotton pad is usually used to apply liquid type toners. You can opt to use your hands (ensuring they are clean) to gently pat the product onto your skin working outwards in circular motions. Toners can be used twice a day after cleansing. For those with sensitive or easily irritated skin, you might want to use it less often.
 

Are you the type of person that is skeptical when it comes to the elements touching your skin? Do complicated sounding chemicals make you doubtful? Why not go for a homemade skin toner so that you have full control as to what ingredients will be included.

The following are some popular homemade skin toners:

We use slices of this on our eyes, why not expand and use it across our whole face. Cucumber juice is an instant toner.
 

Instructions: Juice a cucumber and apply on the face. Best used within 1-2 days if refrigerated, otherwise use immediately. This toner is perfect for oily skin.

Squeeze out the juice from a refrigerated tomato and apply on the face with a cotton pad for a refreshing and tightening skin toner.

Put 1-2 bags of green tea to the recommended amount of boiling water. Let sit for 3-5 minutes then pour into an airtight container (preferably made of glass) to be applied with a cotton pad or store into a clean spray bottle to be used as a face mist.

Homemade skin toners are made from the juices of natural ingredients. You can mix and match the base ingredients and even add essential oils, herbs and extracts. It is important to remember that our skin is unique and might react differently to certain recipes. If you do experience a breakout, stop using immediately.

After that crash course on skin toners as well as a look on the current lineup available in the market, I do hope that readers are either 1) on the way to the nearest store to purchase a toner or 2) ready to switch to a new product to replace one that might not have worked or 3) more grateful for this invention that will help us continue to look and feel young.

Skin toners have transformed, made a comeback and are definitely here to stay. With all the wonderful effects it has on our skin, it deserves to have a permanent spot in our daily rituals.