For a number of years, I was not a particular fan of toners. They always were that extra step that never really made any difference. So, I used to avoid them altogether and just move on to serums after washing.

However, as I started being more serious about skincare and collaborating with dermatologists and aestheticians around the world, the one consistent thing I noticed is that toners were always an essential part of every professional facial treatment. So, I set out to learn more about this part of skincare routine and why they are actually so essential.

Main benefits of using toners:
• Remove remnants of dirt and impurities from the skin
• Help with hydration
• Balance PH of the skin
• Remove excess oil
• Improve absorption of additional products (think of a toner as a product that prepares your skin and helps serums penetrate deeper)

Having said that, in order to get the most benefits out of a toner, it is especially important to use the toner that is targeted specifically for your skin type and needs.

Below are the three toners that were recommended to me by various skincare professionals and have since become a staple in my daily routine. I swear by these products and have repurchased them countless times, as they continue to deliver results!

My favorite way to use these products:
• Cleanse or double cleanse
• Apply Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM 400 right after cleansing to remove impurities, balance PH, and treat hyperpigmentation
• Follow with Tatcha THE ESSENCE Skincare Boosting Treatment for added moisture and to prep the skin
• Follow with Clé de Peau Beauté Hydro-Softening Lotion for additional hydration and luminosity
• Wait a few minutes for products to absorb
• Proceed with serums, creams, etc.

1. Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM 400

INSERT PIC

This one is a true gamechanger! I was first introduced to Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM 400 as part of a Biologique Recherche custom facial, and now every time I go without it for a bit, I can clearly see a difference: my other products do not seem to absorb as well, my pores just do not seem as small or clear, and the overall complexion just seems more dull somehow. I use this every morning and ever night on a freshly cleaned face, neck, and decollate, give it a minute or two, and then proceed with other products.

Recommended for: dull skin with uneven hyperpigmentation

Key benefits: exfoliating, purifying, anti-dark spot

Consistency: looks and feels like water

How to apply: Apply once or twice a day on a freshly cleansed face before any other products.
• If you are new to this product, during the first week apply to a damp cotton pad and DAB (not swipe) in short upward motions over face, neck, and decollate.
• After the first week, apply directly to a dry cotton pad and use the same motion. Applying to a wet cotton pad during the first week will allow your skin to slowly adjust to the product.
TIP: Most people apply this product incorrectly by applying to the cotton pad and swiping all over the face. This can result in irritation, so the proper way of applying it is in short upward dabbing motions.

Size: Product comes in 50ml (1.7 oz), 150ml (5.1 oz.), and 250ml (8.4 oz.) containers

Ingredients:
WATER (AQUA), GLYCERIN, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, SODIUM GLUCONATE, TRIETHANOLAMINE, LACTIC ACID, SODIUM LACTATE, LACTOBACILLUS/WASABIA JAPONICA ROOT FERMENT EXTRACT, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE, MANDELIC ACID, PALMARIA PALMATA EXTRACT, BIOFLAVONODIS, PRUNUS PERSICA (PEACH) LEAF EXTRACT, SPIRAEA ULMARIA EXTRACT, PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT, RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, PHYTIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, GLUCONOLACTONE, SALICYLIC ACID, GLUCOSE, ASCORBIC ACID, MALTODEXTRIN, SODIUM SALICYLATE, VINEGAR (ACETUM), PROPYLENE GLYCOL, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, CHLOROGENIC ACIDS, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, LEVULINIC ACID, SODIUM LEVUINATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, SODIUM BISULFITE.

Other variations: Depending on your skin needs, this toner also comes in a variety of other formulations:

o LOTION P50 ORIGINAL 1970 – the original formula, most widely used, for Thicker/Stronger skin
o Lotion P50 – for normal to oily skin and skin prone to seborrhea
o Lotion P50V – for sensitive skin and skin lacking vitality
o Lotion P50V 1970 – for mature and overly sensitive skin
o Lotion P50W – for thin and/or sensitive skin

2. Clé de Peau Beauté HYDRO-SOFTENING LOTION

INSERT PIC

Clé de Peau Beauté Hydro-Softening Lotion has become a staple in my skincare routine, especially during the cold, dry winter months, or any time my skin needs a boost of hydration. This is technically marketed as a Lotion, since it has a richer consistency, similar to that of an Essence. So, it can be used after a Balancing Toner or even on its own. I also find that on days when I am using this product, my other moisturizing serums/creams seem to penetrate better and last longer.

Recommended for: Normal to Dry skin

Key benefits: provides intense hydration, eliminates roughness, adds luminosity, diminishes the look of pores

Consistency: looks and feels tiniest amount thicker than water

How to apply: Apply every morning and evening after cleansing. Apply 2-3 pumps to a cotton pad and swipe evenly over face.

TIP: Clé de Peau Beauté recommends applying this product AFTER Clé de Peau Beauté The Serum, but you do not need to invest in the serum to see results from this lotion. Even when applied on its own right after cleansing and followed by other products, you can definitely feel the surge of moisture it provides.

Size: Product comes in 75ml (2.5 oz) and 170ml (5.7 oz.) containers

Ingredients:
WATER(AQUA/EAU), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, PEG/PPG-14/7 DIMETHYL ETHER, PEG-8, TREHALOSE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYL GLUCETH-10, PPG-13-DECYLTETRADECETH-24, THEANINE, METHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, ERYTHRITOL, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM HYALURONATE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, POLYQUATERNIUM-51, TREMELLA FUCIFORMIS POLYSACCHARIDE, CITRIC ACID, XYLITOL, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), ANGELICA ACUTILOBA ROOT EXTRACT, PAEONIA ALBIFLORA ROOT EXTRACT, SERINE, GLYCINE, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS ROOT EXTRACT, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF WATER (ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF WATER), HYDROLYZED SILK, YELLOW 6 (CI 15985), TOCOPHEROL, PERILLA OCYMOIDES LEAF EXTRACT, YELLOW 5 (CI 19140), BENZOIC ACID, PRUNUS SPECIOSA LEAF EXTRACT, FRUCTOSE, ISODONIS JAPONICUS LEAF/STALK EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED CONCHIOLIN PROTEIN, PEG-30 PHYTOSTEROL, HYDROGENATED LECITHIN, TRISODIUM EDTA.

3. Tatcha THE ESSENCE Skincare Boosting Treatment

INSERT PIC

I initially purchased Tatcha THE ESSENCE Skincare Boosting Treatment thinking it will be a great Toner/Essence for colder months. However, I quickly realized that this product is so much more than that! Its key ingredient, as is the case with the Tatcha line of products, is 100 percent Hadasei-3 complex, a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods: rice, algae, and green tea, which help deliver a hydrated, plumping effect to the skin. Tatcha claims that the product delivers +621% increase in hydration, and I can definitely tell that using it first thing in the morning after cleansing definitely brings the entire complexion to life! The product is proven to “prepare” the skin for application of all other skincare. I have been using this for 2 years now, and I can definitely tell that aside from impressive hydration, it definitely helps my other products penetrate better.

Recommended for: All skin types

Key benefits: combats dryness, dullness, and uneven texture; boosts effects of other skincare

Consistency: looks and feels like water

How to apply: Apply daily after cleansing and before any other products. Splash a palmful of The Essence and gently press into the skin of face and neck.

Size: Product comes in 75ml (2.5 oz) and 150ml (5.1 oz.) containers

Ingredients:
SACCHAROMYCES/RICE FERMENT FILTRATE, PROPANEDIOL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CLADOSIPHON OKAMURANUS EXTRACT, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PHENOXYETHANOL