Is Toner Good for Acne?

But what does the science say? Is toner good for acne or those with an acne-prone skin type, or is it simply a fad? 

In fact, there is some truth to the hype, as certain ingredients found in facial toners can aid some acne-prone skin. Toner can be good for acne by clearing out clogged pores, improving skin hydration and balancing pH levels. Targeting these concerns can help reduce acne flare-ups. Let’s explore what they are, what they do, and how to reap their benefits in your skincare routine.

The Purpose of Skin Toner 

Face toner is a water-based mixture most often applied to the skin after using your facial cleanser. It’s layered on before your serum, daily moisturizer with SPF, eye cream, or other skin treatments. Generally speaking, a clarifying toner serves a purpose adjacent to the goal of banishing acne—to clean debris from the skin that cleansers miss or leave behind [1].

What comes first: toner or moisturizer? Toners may be standalone products or may be incorporated into others, such as your cleanser, to boost their cleansing effectiveness. If your toner isn’t already infused with your cleanser, then we recommend layering it under your moisturizer. 

In its simplest form, face toner acts as a super-cleanser. It can reach into the deep parts of pores that some cleansers can’t reach and wipe away excess dirt, bacteria, or makeup left behind. (Think of it as floss for your skin.) 

However, toners may also contain ingredients beneficial for various skin types and concerns (including acne). These possible benefits may include: 

• Cleansing pores more thoroughly
• Getting rid of dead skin cells
• Chemically exfoliating the skin
• Balancing the pH of the skin
• Making pores appear smaller 

The Multitalented Ingredients of Skin Toners

If you shopped for a toner a few decades ago, you’d probably find alcohol listed as one of the most prominent ingredients. While alcohol can help clean oil and dirt from the skin, certain kinds can also cause sensitive skin and dry skin. 

Toners have evolved since then from their alcohol-based origins into a few different specialties, like oil-regulating, hydrating, or nourishing—and the active ingredient list will differ accordingly. 

While some toners still contain some amount of alcohol to help absorb oil and kill bacteria, most toners today usually contain at least one additional component, such as: 

• An acidic element, like salicylic acid
• A hydrating element, like hyaluronic acid
• A soothing element, like witch hazel
• A nourishing element, like vitamin E

How Toner Can Aid the Treatment of Acne 

When it comes down to it, the ingredients found in toners can help remedy certain root causes of acne, such as oily skin or clogged pores. 

Here’s how the components found in toners can help skin with or prone to acne: 

• They can help rid your skin of excess oil – In many cases of acne-prone skin, excess sebum can be found at the root—the root of the pore, that is. When your skin produces a surplus of oil, it pools up and clogs your pores, which creates an environment for bacteria and acne to thrive. The alcohol and acids in a clarifying toner may help remove excess oil to help clear current breakouts or prevent future ones from occurring [2].
• They can exfoliate without irritating acne – Most people with acne want to be able to exfoliate without irritating the already painful or inflamed bumps. And while it may be tempting to scrub with a beaded exfoliator to free your skin from acne’s grips, this can exacerbate redness and irritation. The chemically exfoliating ingredients in toners can help gently cleanse the skin thoroughly and unclog pores [3].
• They can help your skin absorb acne treatments – When you cleanse and exfoliate your skin, you clear dead skin cells and other debris from the epidermis or outermost layer of the skin. That clears the way for new skin cells to better absorb the products you apply after you cleanse [4].
• It creates an environment bacteria don’t like – The pH-balancing power that toner can provide may also help set your skin up for a stronger fight against acne-causing bacteria. In one study of 200 participants, acne was observed more often on skin with a higher pH [5]. This might suggest that skin with a lower or more even pH is less likely to develop acne.

Incorporate a Toning Cleanser into Your Routine from PROVEN

The bottom line is that the extra cleansing, sterilizing, and balancing abilities of a toner can help cleanse skin with acne. Plus, a specialized cleanser with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E can eliminate the need for an extra product in your skincare routine.

It all boils down to ingredients—something PROVEN Skincare knows a thing or two about. 

The skincare experts at PROVEN hold effective key ingredients at the forefront of our skincare innovations. We supercharge our products with effective ingredients designed to target your unique skin concerns and help you achieve glowing skin. You don't have to learn how to use face toner if it's already factored into your 3-step skincare set.

With our 3-in-1 toning cleanser, you can reap the benefits of a gentle cleanser, a balancing facial toner, and a powerful exfoliant in one simple skincare product. Plus, your personalized products will be packed with nourishing ingredients bespoke to you, like salicylic acid or green tea extract.

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