"Do I really need to use a Toner?

Washing your face twice a day is an essential step to maintaining clear skin. However, cleansers (no matter how gentle) and tap water disrupt the skin’s natural pH. Without proper skin balancing, it leads to skin issues.

 Skin’s optimal pH is 5.5, which is slightly acidic. This inhibits bacterial growth on the skin, and keeps skin calm and blemish-free. To effectively remove surface dirt and impurities, most cleansers are more alkaline. They tend to range from pH 6, such as the KAPLAN MD Hydrating Milk Cleanser, to a pH of 9, which is more commonly found with bar soaps.

If skin is too alkaline, it:

• Is more susceptible to acne.

• Tends to be drier, and as a result will develop fine lines and wrinkles more rapidly.

• Feels tight and dry after cleansing.

• Is more susceptible to sun damage because the protective acid barrier is weakened.

 Is skin is too acidic, it:

• Is more susceptible to acne.

• Feels oily even after cleansing.

• Looks red and irritated.

• Is sensitive and reactive to many products.

 The function of a proper Toner is to restore skin’s optimal pH after cleansing in order to keep skin balanced. It also prepares the skin to receive more concentrated treatments, such as serums and moisturizers, and allows these treatments to absorb more effectively into the skin. As an example, imagine your skin as a dry sponge. Sponges are 10 times more absorbent when wet, rather than dry. A quality Toner helps your skin to act as a “wet sponge."

 To get the best result from your daily skincare regimen, make sure you don’t skip this essential step. And more importantly, look for Toners that have pH balancing ingredients, like Rosewater, Witch Hazel and Hyaluronic Acid.