If the word “toner” brings to mind the alcohol-based versions that left your skin so dry it literally squeaked (looking at you, Sea Breeze), it’s time to get reacquainted with this important step in your skincare routine. Toners aren’t just for acne-prone teenagers; the right one can be beneficial for pretty much every skin type. As for whether or not you really need a toner, we think that's kind of like asking if you need a serum. Sure, you can get away with not using one, but you're missing out on a lot of great benefits! Here are four reasons why the Tracie Martyn Absolute Purity Toner can help you achieve your healthiest skin yet.
It’s clarifying without being drying (no alcohol!)
The number one reason toners got such a bad rap is because many were, and still are, formulated with drying alcohol. These alcohols are usually listed under ingredients as SD alcohol or denat/denatured alcohol, and though they make your skin feel refreshed, they dry out and weaken your skin’s natural barrier, causing damage in the long term. There’s also another type of alcohol—fatty alcohols—which are actually moisturizing and good for your skin. These will be listed as cetyl, stearyl, and cetearyl alcohol, so don’t get these confused with bad alcohols. Instead, the Absolute Purity Toner uses botanical extracts like witch hazel and lavender water that naturally help tighten, clarify, and refine the appearance of pores without damaging your skin.
It balances your skin’s pH level to better absorb serums and moisturizers.
One incredible thing a toner can do is balance your skin’s pH level after cleansing. The natural pH level of our skin is a 5.5, which is slightly acidic. Unfortunately, many cleansers (unlike the pH-balanced Amla Purifying Cleanser) are alkaline and can disrupt your skin’s acid mantle—its natural protective barrier—leaving your skin vulnerable and irritated. You’ll often notice dryness, flakiness, and itchiness due to your skin’s pH level being out of balance. A good toner also preps your skin to better absorb serums and moisturizers by hydrating and balancing your skin.
It helps prevent blemishes and tackles discoloration
If you have acne-prone skin, toners are an absolute must. They give you a secondary cleanse to ensure any blemish-causing impurities are removed from your skin. But the Absolute Purity Toner goes beyond cleansing to actively address blemishes with natural active azelaic acid and healing botanicals like olive leaf extract. In fact, olive leaf extract has traditionally been used as a treatment for wounds and skin diseases in Iran. Lavender water is also naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory—perfect for keeping breakouts at bay.
It contains powerful antioxidants
If you have acne-prone skin, toners are an absolute must. They give you a secondary cleanse to ensure any blemish-causing impurities are removed from your skin. But the Absolute Purity Toner goes beyond cleansing to actively address blemishes with natural active azelaic acid and healing botanicals like olive leaf extract. In fact, olive leaf extract has traditionally been used as a treatment for wounds and skin diseases in Iran. Lavender water is also naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory—perfect for keeping breakouts at bay.