Comments on: The Truth About Skin Toners http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/ Cosmetic chemists answer your beauty product questions! We are a group of cosmetic scientists who understand what the chemicals used in cosmetics really do, how products are tested, and what all the advertising means. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:22:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: brooke http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/comment-page-1/#comment-39000 brooke Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:22:37 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/04/29/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/#comment-39000 I tried everything on my combination skin. I had gross flaky areas along with super oily areas. I had some alcohol free neutrogena toner in my medicine cabinet. I hadn't used it because I had always heard toners were unnecessary. I was at my wits end so I tried. After about a week, my skin is noticeably different. I don't look so tired and dull (or oily). My skin doesn't scare me when I look in the mirror. The key for me is staying away form SLS's and alcohol. I've noticed that alcohol free toners with witch hazel are harsh on my skin as well. I wash with Tom's of Maine body wash (on my face) and immediately follow up with the toner. I want to start using Paula's Choice, but until I can afford to, I'm using what I already have. I tried everything on my combination skin. I had gross flaky areas along with super oily areas. I had some alcohol free neutrogena toner in my medicine cabinet. I hadn’t used it because I had always heard toners were unnecessary. I was at my wits end so I tried. After about a week, my skin is noticeably different. I don’t look so tired and dull (or oily). My skin doesn’t scare me when I look in the mirror. The key for me is staying away form SLS’s and alcohol. I’ve noticed that alcohol free toners with witch hazel are harsh on my skin as well. I wash with Tom’s of Maine body wash (on my face) and immediately follow up with the toner. I want to start using Paula’s Choice, but until I can afford to, I’m using what I already have.

]]> By: Julie Longyear http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/comment-page-1/#comment-36840 Julie Longyear Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:31:59 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/04/29/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/#comment-36840 IMHO anyone unhappy with the effects of toner has simply been using the wrong toner and improper application. This article completely ignores toner products from natural cosmetic companies like Juice Beauty, Mychelle's Apple Brightening Mist, Pangea Organics, Terressentials, Grateful Body and others. Some of these are alcohol-free and others have only organic alcohol which is not irritating, contrary to the commercially available chemically denatured alcohol (the chemical denaturant is the real irritant). And with a wholistic toner product the (organic) alcohol is not the featured ingredient, but a minor extractive aid and offers some preservative effect. Some active components from herbs are not fully soluble in water and need the alcohol to provide their full spectrum of benefit. I would highly recommend misting a toner onto the face - NOT WIPING. If you just finished washing your face is clean anyway. With a toner like the ones from the above mentioned companies the big benefit is the water based, highly absorbable nutrients. You want your skin to soak it up, not seal it or wipe it off again! And with a nutrient based toner you can reuse it during the day if you live in a dry climate and or your skin just gets thirsty. I agree with Loren that it is not a great idea to leave your skin to correct itself over the course of hours. It is vulnerable during that time then. If you use an non soap based cleanser though you won't be damaging your skin's PH. I personally notice a huge difference in the comfort of my skin when I use a toner VS not using one, even when I've used an gentle cream cleanser. That extra moisture is a huge plus. Notice I say moisture - not astringency! A toner does not have to be astringent!!!! With the right ingredients it can be highly moisturizing and calming. I use my own formulas. And it has been a lot harder to get the consistency right than one might think. Sure if a company is just using some witch hazel that is pretty easy. But to get it so it isn't sticky, smells decent, and really works isn't as easy as folks might think. I'm releasing some in about 2 months that will have cucumber and cantaloupe juice infusions in them. Yum. As usual it is a matter of the right ingredients combined in the right way. Am I suprised that drugstore, Mary Kay, and Estee Lauder products are irritating people's skin? All I can say to that is DUH. ;) IMHO anyone unhappy with the effects of toner has simply been using the wrong toner and improper application. This article completely ignores toner products from natural cosmetic companies like Juice Beauty, Mychelle’s Apple Brightening Mist, Pangea Organics, Terressentials, Grateful Body and others. Some of these are alcohol-free and others have only organic alcohol which is not irritating, contrary to the commercially available chemically denatured alcohol (the chemical denaturant is the real irritant). And with a wholistic toner product the (organic) alcohol is not the featured ingredient, but a minor extractive aid and offers some preservative effect. Some active components from herbs are not fully soluble in water and need the alcohol to provide their full spectrum of benefit.

I would highly recommend misting a toner onto the face – NOT WIPING. If you just finished washing your face is clean anyway. With a toner like the ones from the above mentioned companies the big benefit is the water based, highly absorbable nutrients. You want your skin to soak it up, not seal it or wipe it off again! And with a nutrient based toner you can reuse it during the day if you live in a dry climate and or your skin just gets thirsty.

I agree with Loren that it is not a great idea to leave your skin to correct itself over the course of hours. It is vulnerable during that time then. If you use an non soap based cleanser though you won’t be damaging your skin’s PH.

I personally notice a huge difference in the comfort of my skin when I use a toner VS not using one, even when I’ve used an gentle cream cleanser. That extra moisture is a huge plus. Notice I say moisture – not astringency! A toner does not have to be astringent!!!! With the right ingredients it can be highly moisturizing and calming.

I use my own formulas. And it has been a lot harder to get the consistency right than one might think. Sure if a company is just using some witch hazel that is pretty easy. But to get it so it isn’t sticky, smells decent, and really works isn’t as easy as folks might think. I’m releasing some in about 2 months that will have cucumber and cantaloupe juice infusions in them. Yum.

As usual it is a matter of the right ingredients combined in the right way. Am I suprised that drugstore, Mary Kay, and Estee Lauder products are irritating people’s skin? All I can say to that is DUH. ;)

]]> By: vickie http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/comment-page-1/#comment-36251 vickie Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:22:38 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/04/29/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/#comment-36251 I do not use toners. They always make my face dry, red and created blemishes. I have tried numerous ones from Estee Lauder, to Mary Kay (and many in between) to drugstore purchases. Everyone says our product won't make your face dry or red. Well guess what they do. Anything with alcohol or witch hazel is going to dry your face. Who wants a dry face? That creates wrinkles! I read an article from a beauty expert and he said all you need to do after you cleanse your face is splash your face with very cold water it will tighten your pores(same as a toner) before putting on your moisturizers. I have done that for several years and so has all my friends and family and my skin is absolutely wonderful. I do not use toners. They always make my face dry, red and created blemishes. I have tried numerous ones from Estee Lauder, to Mary Kay (and many in between) to drugstore purchases. Everyone says our product won’t make your face dry or red. Well guess what they do. Anything with alcohol or witch hazel is going to dry your face. Who wants a dry face? That creates wrinkles! I read an article from a beauty expert and he said all you need to do after you cleanse your face is splash your face with very cold water it will tighten your pores(same as a toner) before putting on your moisturizers. I have done that for several years and so has all my friends and family and my skin is absolutely wonderful.

]]> By: Toners: Why you should use them, or not? - Mythbuster Beauty http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/comment-page-1/#comment-32375 Toners: Why you should use them, or not? - Mythbuster Beauty Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:28:28 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/04/29/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/#comment-32375 [...] that purports that using toners are beneficial in your skincare regimen. In a recent article by the Beauty Brains, they discuss the use of toners, and quote the Smartskincare.com on the subject: “Toning is [...] [...] that purports that using toners are beneficial in your skincare regimen. In a recent article by the Beauty Brains, they discuss the use of toners, and quote the Smartskincare.com on the subject: “Toning is [...]

]]> By: Misunderstood Marshmallow http://thebeautybrains.com/2008/07/30/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/comment-page-1/#comment-30463 Misunderstood Marshmallow Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:57:00 +0000 http://thebeautybrains.com/2006/04/29/whats-the-difference-between-skin-toners-and-astringents/#comment-30463 Do toners have an expiration date? Do toners have an expiration date?

]]>