Facial Toners

Here are our selections for Skin Facial Toners and Tonics.  Products are listed in order of brand.  They consist of pre-formulated tonics and toners (or splashes), floral waters, and hydrating gel toners.  There are samples available with each item reasonably priced.  Please read over our information under Customer Service Desk as not all items are returnable.

What Do Toners Tone?
Toners are referred to as astringents, refiners, fresheners, pore cleansers, clarifying lotion, witch hazel, clarifyers and tonics.    The myth is that they shrink and close pores. Maybe so for a few minutes. The truth is, that they are so irritating to the skin, they cause the pore to swell making the appearance of smaller pores. Another reason many use toners is because they want to remove any surface oil from the skin, but if you've used a good cleanser, then you shouldn't have to do that. And removing to much oil from the skin will strip it, causing more to be produced.  Another myth is that they deep-clean and prepare the skin for other products. They do none of that.  If your going to use a toner, make it a well-formulated toner.  It should be designed to help reduce inflammation, add water-binding agents and natural moisturizing factors to the skin.  It should help remove the last traces of makeup, and impart some lightweight moisturizing ingredients to the skin, according to skincare specialist/author Paula Begoun. Many can also be a good replacement for a daytime moisturizer.

What makes a well-formulated toner?
The only toners you should consider, are those that are irritant-free as possible. Those without SD Alcohol followed by a number, or those that use the term Ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol.  We also advise mineral oil free because mineral oil's side effect is dry, chapped skin. Look it up in a cosmetic dictionary! We also would suggest avoiding unneeded chemicals such as preservatives and fragrance dyes.  This obviously means that not all toners are created equal, so be watchful.  We feel that you will like the following toners carried here at Holistic Beauty, Body & Bath. From gel to liquid, they are all prepared to do what a true toner should do!

Regarding those with acne prone skin: Many toners designed for dry skin on the market, contain isopropyl alcohol which is drying to the skin. Many of our young teens are pushed into thinking from television ads, that this burn is good. It isn't. If you think you need it for acne, think again. According to Archives of Dermatological Research, 1995, volume 287, issue 2, pages 214-218, to be an effective disinfectant, it needs to be 60% to 70% pure alcohol.  Most astringents are in around 20%, and if you've ever gotten one that is at a 40% level, you would experience an effective irritant that kills skin cells and destroys the skin's inter-cellular layer, not a disinfectant.  Further, irritation and dryness deplete the skin in a cellular way, and it's delicate protective mantle, and that damages the skin's ability to heal, while at the same time it increases bacteria in the skin.