Are toners really essential to daily facial routine?

So... I wasn't sure if I should start or bump this one, but are they still really necessary?

I've experimented and with a lot of brands and products over the years, and I'm happy with the results I'm getting from my regimen. I've always pretty much always used an astringent. But now I'm thinking about dropping the astringent altogether, after reading a couple of articles.

I've never really had oil problems, but I do live in a hot/humid climate (and summer is basically here). Currently I wash, tone, then moisturize twice daily. I'm wondering if I should ween myself and only tone once a day, and if I do that when would it be best to skip the astringent (day or night?).

Anyone have a similar situation, or insight? 

I don't think a toner is really essential unless you have majorly large pores. What a toner really does is puff up the skin around your pores, making your pores appear smaller. Then again, different brands of toner are more or less effective than others - some being more astringent.  The ones that have tons of alcohol in them aren't actually great for your skin - stripping off too much of the moisture can actually lead the skin to produce more oil. if you're moisturizing every time after you wash your face, though, then it's probably ok. I'd say if you don't notice any problems with your skin, why change a routine that's working?

i use the clinique line (facial wash + toner + lotion), and my skin has gotten remarkably better than before when i used to use generic crap i bought at CVS. give it a go!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JG000 


Care to either post or PM your regimen? Beautiful skin seems to attract beautiful women. For that reason I've been meaning to educate myself on the topic, but know very little about it so far

I didn't post the specifics at first only because I didn't want it to seem like I was spamming. I was just curious about toners/astringents in general.

But my regimen is pretty much all Anthony Logistics. Years ago when I started looking into this, it seemed like everyone said Anthony products were the best. So I intentionally tried the other brands instead (Kiehl's, C.O. Bigelow, Clinique, Zirh, Jack Black). The only brand I didn't try that I wanted to was Lab Series. First I started with a regular face wash, then toner & moisturizer, then shaving products (scrub and cream), then onto exfoliators and other stuff. As I finished a bottle/tube, I would move onto another brand until I found something that really worked well. Eventually most of it became Anthony Logistics.

Daily routine (morning & night): Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Anthony Astringent, then Anthony All Purpose Moisturizer (SPF 15 in the am).

Shave routine (once or twice a week, at night): Anthony Glycolic, Anthony Scrub, Anthony Shave Cream, shave, Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, Anthony Astringent, then All Purpose Moisturizer.

I feel like I could go either way on the shave cream. Nothing about it really stands out particularly. The only reason I use it is because it comes in the kits with the other products I do like. I started using the Boscia mask for the past year, and I really like that. I'm considering changing my face wash to the Fresh Soy Cleanser. I've tried it several times, and I'm very impressed. Only thing is I was given the large 32 oz. Facial Cleanser as a gift, and I will enough to last until the beginning of 2013, or else I would already be using the Fresh. It's definitely more feminine (as is the Boscia mask). That's one of the things I like about Anthony, their stuff is basic, no-frills products.

I'm just thinking about cutting back, and for me the astringent would be the first to go. I really don't think I currently get any more benefits from it than the others. It would make things more convenient, especially when travelling. 

My advice when starting out would be to go into a store and try samples. Ask the sales assistant for suggestions, as they're more than happy to help because they want you coming back once you do find something you like.

Quote:

Originally Posted by az64q 

 

 

I didn't post the specifics at first only because I didn't want it to seem like I was spamming. I was just curious about toners/astringents in general.

 

But my regimen is pretty much all Anthony Logistics. Years ago when I started looking into this, it seemed like everyone said Anthony products were the best. So I intentionally tried the other brands instead (Kiehl's, C.O. Bigelow, Clinique, Zirh, Jack Black). The only brand I didn't try that I wanted to was Lab Series. First I started with a regular face wash, then toner & moisturizer, then shaving products (scrub and cream), then onto exfoliators and other stuff. As I finished a bottle/tube, I would move onto another brand until I found something that really worked well. Eventually most of it became Anthony Logistics.

 

Daily routine (morning & night): Anthony Glycolic Facial Cleanser, Anthony Astringent, then Anthony All Purpose Moisturizer (SPF 15 in the am).

 

Shave routine (once or twice a week, at night): Anthony Glycolic, Anthony Scrub, Anthony Shave Cream, shave, Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, Anthony Astringent, then All Purpose Moisturizer.

 

I feel like I could go either way on the shave cream. Nothing about it really stands out particularly. The only reason I use it is because it comes in the kits with the other products I do like. I started using the Boscia mask for the past year, and I really like that. I'm considering changing my face wash to the Fresh Soy Cleanser. I've tried it several times, and I'm very impressed. Only thing is I was given the large 32 oz. Facial Cleanser as a gift, and I will enough to last until the beginning of 2013, or else I would already be using the Fresh. It's definitely more feminine (as is the Boscia mask). That's one of the things I like about Anthony, their stuff is basic, no-frills products.

 

I'm just thinking about cutting back, and for me the astringent would be the first to go. I really don't think I currently get any more benefits from it than the others. It would make things more convenient, especially when travelling. 

 

My advice when starting out would be to go into a store and try samples. Ask the sales assistant for suggestions, as they're more than happy to help because they want you coming back once you do find something you like.

I'm sorry for going off topic a bit on your thread, but I'm curious about what you've posted. How much and what kind of a difference do you tell using these products? Do you know if there are any comparison pictures online or something (what prompted you to start trying them?)?

I've read that men (all people I guess) should use more products like this, but I haven't seen any articles explaining why. The only things my skin comes in contact with right now are a Dial bar of soap and some cheap bottle of lotion from a store. Occasionally I'll use a tanning lotion, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnovc 

 

 

I'm sorry for going off topic a bit on your thread, but I'm curious about what you've posted. How much and what kind of a difference do you tell using these products? Do you know if there are any comparison pictures online or something (what prompted you to start trying them?)?

 

I've read that men (all people I guess) should use more products like this, but I haven't seen any articles explaining why. The only things my skin comes in contact with right now are a Dial bar of soap and some cheap bottle of lotion from a store. Occasionally I'll use a tanning lotion, too.

I've never really looked for comparison pics. I'm sure someone on some website/forum has done so.

Using just plain soap strips off a lot of oil. As a result, the skin gets used to this and actually increases oil production, which clogs pores (facial skin has a high pore density) and creates other problems. Soap is also a dehydrator, so it disrupts the moisture balance on the skin. This leads to cracks, wrinkles, fine lines, etc. Also, water is a big component of all tissues. When these tissues don't get enough water regularly, they lose their strength and the skin starts to sag.

All of these quality brand products aren't actually "soaps" but they're called cleansers, washes, etc. So they aren't as harsh on your skin as a plain bar of soap. Try to avoid products with alcohols as they are strong dehydrators. And if you buy into the argument that synthetic ingredients are also bad, stay away from parabens, sulfates, and GMOs as studies show that they are not good for your skin.