Is Toner Good for Dry, Sensitive Skin?

Some people may want to avoid toners, fearing they may dry out the skin, causing irritation or flaking. In such cases, you can use cream cleansers, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid-rich products with oil-based moisturizers to combat dryness. Avoid alcohol-based products and harsh soaps.

However, toners are made for every skin type, whether oily or dry. Avoiding toners might be a disservice to your dry skin. 

Continue reading to learn more about toners for dry, sensitive skin.

Why Should You Use Toner for Dry, Sensitive Skin?

The following are the reasons to use toner for dry, sensitive skin. 

1. Toners provide moisturization and hydration

Applying a toner repeatedly instead of spraying water is beneficial for skin hydration. (1) Hydrating toners are used to improve skin refreshment and hydration rapidly.

Toners are of three types, namely, exfoliating toners, hydrating toners, and treatment toners. They contain moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid that eliminate tight skin sensations. These moisturizers contain essential ingredients such as water and oil. They hydrate the skin’s outermost layer (epidermis). (2)

A test conducted in 2021 showed that after toner gel application, a smear was formed on the skin that was aqueous or oily. (3) Thus, gel toners are suitable for dry, sensitive skin.

Note: In an aqueous solution, the solvent is liquid water, which is beneficial for dry, sensitive skin. 

2. Toners balance the pH of dry, sensitive skin

Elderly skin is dryer and prone to cracking with slow recovery time due to alkaline damage. Thus, selecting a product with a pH value of 4-7 is crucial for them. (4) 

Topical products must have pH values ranging from 4 to 6 and be acidified. (5) The normal skin pH range is 4.5 to 6.5. A pH range of 4.5-6.5 for cosmetic formulations is considered safe for the skin. (6)

Skin products with a pH of more than 7 can disturb the skin’s barrier function. (4) Products with a high pH increase the skin’s pH, increasing the chances of irritation, and dehydrating effects. (7) 

If your skin is alkaline, using a pH range of 9 or above can compromise your skin’s lipid layer, causing irritation and dryness. Therefore, maintain ideal pH levels. Retaining cutaneous pH (5.5 on the surface) helps maintain the integrity of the skin barrier and hydration levels. (8)

Toners with a pH range of 4-6 are ideal for dry, sensitive skin. Toners also balance the skin’s pH.

Gel toners have good homogeneity, spreadability, and pH range.   

3. Toners have emollient properties

Emollients are directly applied to the skin to moisturize, hydrate, and soothe. Emollient therapy is the pillar of treating dry skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), atopic eczema, and psoriasis (skin conditions that cause scaly patches, itchiness, and rash). (9)

Emollients make your skin’s outermost layer (stratum corneum) soft and hydrated. (10) An aqueous gel is a widespread emollient applied to relieve dry skin.

A 2021 report showed that herbal toners (3) hydrate dry, sensitive skin, making it slippery. Vitamin E toners also have strong hydrating, photo protective, anti-aging, and firming properties. (11)

4. Toners rejuvenate dry, sensitive skin

Herbal toners in gel form can improve the health of pale and dry skin and rejuvenate it. They also have astringent, calming, and smoothening effects on the skin. 

Toners are non-irritating and can be used daily to enhance the skin’s natural beauty. They may contain significant antioxidant and sunscreen activities. (3)

5. Some toners contain hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrating and moisturizing agent for dry, sensitive skin. (12) It can retain water. (13) 

Hyaluronic acid, when combined with lidocaine or other co-agents, can effectively increase skin elasticity and tightness and can rejuvenate the face. (14)

Therefore, a toner containing hyaluronic acid can hydrate dry, sensitive skin.

About Toners

What is a toner?

A skin toner is a second cleansing agent that removes makeup residues after regular cleansing or excess facial sebum to prepare the skin for a nourishing treatment. (15)

Toners are categorized as alcohol or non-alcohol-based to suit different skin types, such as sensitive, oily, combination, (3) or dry skin.   

What do toners do, and why do you need one?

Toners draw the last traces of skin impurities, grime, and dirt after cleansing. When you use toners regularly and include them in your skin care routine, you will notice improvements in the tightness and appearance of your pores Thus, reducing skin aging. (3) 

Toner application is a preparation step for better absorption of moisturizing products and serum.

Gel toners have good homogeneity, spreadability, and pH range. Herbal toners in gel form can improve skin health and rejuvenate pale and dry skin. (3) 

When should you use a toner?

Apply toner right after cleansing, as the active ingredients (such as glycolic acids, retinol, and vitamin C) work better on moist skin.

To apply a toner:

1.  Take a few drops of toner on a cotton pad or gauze pad.
2. Apply it to your face and neck. Avoid the eye area.
3. Allow it to dry. Do not wash it off. (3)(16)

Note: If you don’t have cotton pads, you can also use your hands to apply the toner.

Additional Benefits of Toners for the Skin

The following are the skin benefits of applying toner.

• Toners restore nutrients stripped off from your face by cleansers. They hydrate and soften your skin, reducing irritation.
• Toners make your pores look smaller, giving your skin a clean and smooth finish. It helps you get a smooth makeup base.
• Facial toners with zero alcohol are incredibly hydrating. Your moisturizer becomes more effective when you apply it directly on your toner-damp skin, as the toner helps absorb moisture and distribute it to every skin layer.
• Toners developed as cosmeceutical products with the therapeutic perks of herbal extracts from the barks, twigs, fruits, or leaves of plants to control oiliness.
• Safe and natural herbal skin toners with soothing, astringent, and calming effects reduce facial irritation and enhance the skin’s condition. (3)         

Types of Toners and Their Effects

The different types of toners and their effects are as follows.

• Witch hazel is a primary ingredient of most toners. It is a botanical and natural astringent with anti-inflammatory properties that removes excess oil from the skin. (16) Witch hazel has also been used as an astringent to help treat skin issues such as acne. (17)
• A guava toner significantly reduces oil from the forehead (13.10 ± 3.67%, P < 0.05) and nose (21.43 ± 3.21%, P < 0.001) and is better than base toners. (18) A guava toner with antisebum properties eliminates excess facial sebum. (19)
• Sebum-absorbing agents such as toners are put into cosmetic products to alleviate skin oiliness. (20)

General Queries

Final Word

Using toner helps eliminate impurities, grime, and dirt from the pores of your face post-washing.

It has an astringent effect on the skin and face and balances the skin’s pH. It also calms, soothes, and hydrates the skin. Thus, toners are suitable for dry, sensitive skin. 

Remember to use alcohol-free, herbal toners.