Should I Apply Toner With My Fingers or Cotton?
I've worked in the Marketing Team at Adore Beauty for almost a year now and love love love skincare! I'm all about vegan products and 5 plus step skincare routines. Recently I've been growing out my coloured hair and focusing on strength/length with hair masks and treatments.
The way you apply skincare products is just as important as choosing the right products.
Some treatments are intended to be applied at night only, whereas others are best for morning use.
Some products are meant be left on for only 10 to 15 minutes, whereas others are formulated to fully absorb.
So, how do you know if you should apply your toner with your fingers or cotton? First, answer these two questions:
- Is your toner a thin fluid?
Firstly, there are many types of toners. Evaluating the product you're using will help you determine how to apply toner.
How To Apply Different Types Of Toner.
Traditional toners are water-like fluids, often inhabiting large, easy-to-use bottles.
However, the newer toner breeds range from products that come in spray bottles to products with a serum-like consistency.
How you apply your toner should depend on how the manufacturer has designed that product to work.
This is usually hinted at on the label and by the consistency of the solution.
PRO TIP: Pre-dampen your cotton pad with water. Squeeze out the excess, and then apply your chosen toner.
Wetting the cotton first stops it from absorbing your product and keeps the toner on the surface of the pad. You waste less product and gain maximum skincare benefits.
Thicker toners usually offer serum-like benefits and are intended to be applied similarly to serums.
However, your application method in this case really depends on your answer to our second question.
The Best Way to Apply Toner...
Dermalogica Clear Start Micro-Pore Mist
This easy-to-use, mist-on formula fights even the toughest face and body acne to help soothe and clear skin in just a few spritzes. This unique toner features not just potent acne-fighting ingredients but a host of skin soothers to minimise inflammation and visibly reduce acne fast. Get a clear start with this acne-busting all-over toner. For those wondering how to use toner, with this one you simply mist it!
Cosmedix Purity Balance Exfoliating Prep Toner
Protect and refresh your skin with Cosmedix Purity Balance Exfoliating Prep Toner, a powerful exfoliating and environmental protection solution. Suitable for all skin types, Cosmedix Purity Balance Exfoliating Prep Toner contains a number of antioxidants that protect vital cell components and membrane lipids from free radicals. L-Lactic Acid to soften and hydrate and Salicylic Acid works to mattify.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner 250ml
The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Toner is a refreshing liquid that works to banish remaining surface dirt, oil and makeup after cleansing, while simultaneously helping to balance the complexion. This unique alcohol-free toning lotion is made specifically for normal to oily skin types, helping to refine skin texture while hydrating and refreshing skin. Created with Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract and Antarcticine to soothe and moisturise skin, this face toner will leave skin feeling comfortable, clean and ready for moisturiser.
Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 suitable for Skin Type 3: Combination Oily. Helps clear away pollution, excess oil, dulling flakes for clear, glowing skin. Helps block a blemish. Purifies pores to look cleaner, smaller. Skin grows stronger, stays clearer, healthier. Dermatologist-reformulated to be comfortable, non-drying.
Laneige Cream Skin
Laneige Cream Skin is a facial tonic lotion with a conditioning effect for all types of skin. It softens and hydrates the skin, leaving it fresh, soft and smooth. The absence of alcohol in its composition respects skin pH and prevents dehydration. Laneige Cream Skin aids the absorption of active ingredients applied after the toner.
Toner Application Depends on Your Cleanser.
Products that are applied to your skin directly—that is, with your fingers—will also pull any remaining impurities, such as makeup and pollution, into your skin. This effect is scientifically referred to as 'washing-in'.
Conversely, products that are applied with a cotton pad will help remove those residues.
Therefore, whether you choose to apply a toner with your fingers or a cotton pad should depend on how effective your cleansing step is.
You can test this out by using a cotton pad to apply your toner and checking the amount of impurities that collect after application.
If you see minimal traces of makeup and oil remaining, you'd be safe to use your fingers for application.
Can You Apply Toner with Your Hands?
Can I apply toner with my hands? How much toner should I use? These are all good questions...
You can apply most toners with your hands easily, just follow the directions on the bottle in regards to how much you should be using and when to use toner.
So, how to apply toner with hands... Simply pat it into your skin slowly.
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