6 Unexpected Ways to Use Toner

Toner is one of the most elusive skin care products out there. Most people are in the dark on its benefits, and thus steer clear of it altogether. It’s a shame, really, because toners can actually benefit the skin is a handful of ways. Toners can help remove dirt, excess oil, leftover cleanser, and impurities from the skin’s surface after cleansing, balance the skin’s natural pH levels, and soothe, refresh, hydrate, and—in some cases—even exfoliate the skin. But that’s not all toner can be used to accomplish. Ahead, we’re sharing six surprising uses for toner you need to know about. Thanks to these nifty hacks, you’ll likely see toner in a whole new light! 

1. TURN IT INTO A FACE MIST

Grab an empty spray bottle and pour in your favorite toner with a 2:1 ratio of distilled water. Voila, you have yourself a toning mist—easy as that! A few spritzes is all it takes to help freshen and hydrate your skin on-the-go. Bonus: It might even give your skin a dewy glow.

2. REFRESH YOUR POUT

Do your lips feel parched? Soak a cotton pad with toner fluid and sweep it across your pout ever so gently. This can help smooth and hydrate your pucker. Just make sure to follow up with a lip balm or conditioner before applying lipstick. 

3. SWEEP IT ACROSS YOUR NECK AND Décolleté

Extend your toner use south of your jaw and onto your neck, chest, and décolleté to give your skin an extra glow before applying moisturizer. Some toner formulas can help exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving you with bright, smooth appearing skin that’s ready to absorb subsequent products. Feel free to spritz the toner face mist onto these areas, as well.

4. STORE IT IN THE FRIDGE

Before applying toner, place the bottle in the fridge for five to 10 minutes. This helps to give the formula a cooling, refreshing quality upon contact with your skin, which is especially nice on a hot day!

5. APPLY IT BEFORE A SPRAY TAN

What if the key to a non-blotchy spray tan was nothing more than a little bit of toner before the act? To keep streaking at bay, apply toner onto rough patches of skin—think: elbows and knees—before a spray tan to help soften the area. Faux pigment will adhere more evenly onto smooth, hydrated skin versus skin that’s dry and cracked. If your tan looks botched in areas, apply an exfoliating toner—like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Toner—to darker patches to help even out your skin’s tone.

6. SOOTHE DISCOMFORT

After shaving or waxing, you might be suffering from minor razor burn and irritated skin. In addition to applying a cold compress and layering on some aftershave gel, sweep on a bit of toner to help soothe the skin even further. Just make sure the formula is free of potential irritants, astringents, and other ingredients (such as alcohol) that may aggravate the area. Try Vichy Pureté Thermale Toner. The formula—enriched with hydrating glycerin and soothing Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water—is alcohol- and paraben-free, as well as non-comedogenic.

Moral of the story: If toner isn’t one of your arsenal mainstays, it’s really time to change that.