For any skin type including combination skin, a robust skincare routine is a vital tool to have, so you can maintain glowing skin even as you get to over 40 years of age. Sadly, for many, knowing whether they have combination skin is not easy, but once you are aware, then using a facial toner is a step that should not be skipped.
While making sure that you have a detailed step by step skincare routine guide helps, finding the most suitable skincare products for combination skin is also key. You should also ensure that you have a good concealer to apply on your skin sooner after cleansing but before moisturizing.
What is a facial toner?
A facial toner is a liquid that easily absorbs into your skin and helps to get rid of impurities, dirt and makeup traces.
A toner has a lot of benefits for the skin such as moisturizing it, cleansing and even balancing the pH level of your skin.
There are many types of toners that are available on the market. The key to getting a good toner is to know what skin type you have.
There are a lot of methods that you can use to apply a toner on combination skin. The following is the step by step Guide on how to apply a toner on combination skin.
Step 1: Wash your face using a gentle cleanser
Before you apply a toner, you need to start by washing your face. A cleanser helps to get rid of makeup, excess oil and impurities on the skin.
When it comes to washing your face, you should use a cleanser that has a gentle formula and will not strip your skin of its natural moisture.
You should also make sure to use water that is warm and not hot water because this can make your skin very dry. You can also use a cotton or a wash cloth to cleanse your skin. The following are the steps to follow in order to cleanse your face.
- Wet your face with Lukewarm water
- Apply the cleanser to your face
- Massage the cleanser gently on your face and in circular motion
- Rinse with warm water
Step 2: Apply the toner
In order to apply the toner, you can use a soft cloth, a cotton ball or cotton pad. First you start by putting a right amount of the toner on the cotton pad.
Cotton pad is recommended if you want your toner to last longer because it does not soak up a lot of toner as compared to the cotton pad.
After that you should use the cotton pad and apply the toner to your face as well as neck. Do this lightly and you should make sure not to get the toner into your eyes and mouth.
You should also ensure that you have applied it to all the areas on the skin including the ones that you can’t easily reach.
Applying a toner is a very important step because it helps in getting rid of left-over impurities left by the cleanser. It also prepares the skin for any other products to be applied.
You can then use a spray toner after the wiping toner. A spray toner helps to dilute the impurities but also keep your skin refreshed.
Step 3: Wait for the toner to dry
Before you apply anything else you need to ensure that the toner is completely dried up on the skin. Most toners do not take long to get absorbed into the skin.
This is because most of these toners have a water base content. Waiting for the toner to dry also helps in ensuring that the skin can retain its moisture.
Step 3: Apply a moisturizer
The final step is to apply a moisturizer or any other products to finish off. Combination skin needs moisturizing just like any other skin type.
You should use a moisturizer that is well balanced and made for all skin types. Applying a moisturizer will help to keep your skin hydrated and plump.
Moisturizing your skin is very important and you should make sure to moisturize every single day. For your moisturizer you should look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and other humectants that will help to attract water to the skin. a moisturizer will depend on the type of skin that you have.
For combination skin you should choose a moisturizer that is a very good hydrator but also free of oils because you do not want to make your T-Zone area extra oily.
You should also make sure to get moisturizers that are noncomedogenic and will not clog your pores. Here is how you can apply a moisturizer on your skin:
- Take a suitable amount of the moisturizer using your hands and apply it to your face
- Massage the moisturizer gently to your skin until it absorbs into the skin
- Wait for the moisturizer to completely absorb and dry then apply other products
Why should I use a toner?
Using a toner gives a lot of benefits to combination skin as well as any skin type. A toner can be used after a cleanser and before you use a moisturizer.
Sometimes the cleanser that you used on your skin can leave behind some residues, dirt and impurities.
A toner can be very helpful in getting rid of these impurities and residue that were left behind when using the cleanser. A toner also gives your skin a refreshed look and leaves it clean.
Sometimes the pH level of your skin may not be that balanced. It is essential that the pH of your skin is well balanced as this can help in preventing bacterial infections and protect the skin from environmental damage. A toner also helps in restoring the balance of your pH levels on the skin.
Other things to take note of when using a facial toner on combination skin
1. Cotton pads or Cotton ball
Using cotton pads is the most common and easiest way to apply a toner therefore you should use cotton pads. With a cotton pad all you
have to do is to moisten it with a few drops of the toner and then spread it to your skin. You can also use a cotton ball though it may not really conserve your toner since it soaks up more toner.
2. Mistz or spritz toner
This are generally spray toners and they are used to dilute the residues and impurities on the skin. This kind of toner is good for refreshing your skin after you have already used a wiper toner.
3. Activator or under eye mask
A toner can be used as an activator especially when using powder like products. It can also be used as an under-eye mask (for alcohol free toners).
Essential ingredients when choosing toners for combination skin
- Hyaluronic acid which helps to attract water to your skin and ensures that it stays moisturized and hydrated. Rose water which is also there to keep your skin hydrated.
- Chamomile which is an ingredient that has soothing properties.
- Tea tree oil which will not only control the oil production but also help to fight bacterial infections.
- Aloe Vera which has anti-inflammatory properties, hydrating and soothing properties.
- Vitamin E which is an antioxidant and also helps to keep the skin moisturized.
How can I choose the best toner for combination skin
When choosing a toner there are a lot of things that you need to consider and a lot of steps to follow.
1. Choose a toner that has hydrating properties
When choosing a toner, you should ensure that it can keep your skin hydrated. Look for hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, rose water that will ensure that the skin is well moisturized and even clarified. These ingredients are also good for combination skin because they help in controlling the oils on the skin.
2. Choose a toner that has soothing properties
When choosing a toner you should also make sure that the toner you have chosen does a good job at soothing your skin. Ingredients like aloe Vera and chamomile have soothing properties.
These ingredients can help to calm your skin when it is irritated. They can also help with some skin conditions like rosacea and eczema.
3. Do not choose toners that are alcohol based
Alcohol is not good for the skin. It can cause your skin to dry out or cause irritation. Therefore, you should make sure to choose a toner that does not have alcohol in the formula. Ensure that the formula is gentle for your skin.
You can also look for ingredients that he’ll go fight acne if your skin is prone to acne. Ingredients like witch hazel, tea tree oil, citrus juice are good for acne prone combination skin.
Knowing your skin type is also very important in order to determine the kind of toner that you should choose for your skin type.
For instance, since combination skin is the kind of skin that has oily and dry patches, oil free and noncomedogenic toners are good for combination skin and they should also be hydrating.
Choose a toner with balancing properties
Since combination skin is a mixture of dry and oily skin. Your oily part specifically the T-zone area is as a result of production of excess oils.
Therefore because of this you should be able to choose a toner that can help to balance up the oils on the skin and minimize the production of excess sebum.
You can also go for toners that have retinol as one of its main ingredients because retinol contains ingredients that help to reduce the excess oil or sebum on the skin.
It also helps in controlling oil production. Another ingredient that you can also go for is tea tree oil because it does the same.
Conclusion
Applying a toner is very important step when caring for combination skin. A toner helps in balancing your skins pH, getting rid of left-over impurities and many more.
When choosing a toner, you should get a toner that as ingredients like chamomile, aloe Vera and many other ingredients that are good for the skin.
You should also choose toners that are very hydrating and noncomedogenic so that they do not clog your pores.
Apply a toner is very easy all you have to do is wash your face, then use a cotton ball or pad to apply the toner to your skin and then follow it up with a moisturizer.
