Toners are one of the least used skin care items primarily because many people are unaware of their benefits. Sadly, toners are heralded as ‘unnecessary’ by many and this is downright false. If you currently aren’t using a toner already, find out why toners are truly a skin care-must have.

1. They are your cleanser’s sidekick
After you’ve cleansed your face, sometimes not every trace of makeup is thoroughly removed. This is where a toner will save the day. It ensures that every bit of dirt, oil and makeup is gone. Moreover, the tap water you’re using to wash your face may contain minerals, harmful elements and chlorine; a toner will help eliminate that from your skin.

2. They restore the pH levels in your skin
One of the unique aspects of toner is that it helps restore a balanced pH level in the skin. For instance, if a bar soap is used, that can disrupt the protective moisture barrier of the skin, rendering a pH level too high and leaving the skin feeling and looking dry. However, a toner will balance the pH in the skin if applied directly after the face is cleansed.

3. They are your serum and moisturizer’s booster
Did you know that toners enhance the efficacy of serums and moisturizers? When skin is damp with a toner and a serum or moisturizer is applied on top of dampened skin, it makes the skin up to 10 times more penetrable, thereby increasing the power of the product. Pretty cool, huh?

4. Toners address skin issues
There are great toners on the market that offer benefits to the skin such as hydration, mild exfoliation, calming sensitivity, blemish control, oil control and more. However, most toners—regardless of their specific benefits—help balance oil production.

5. Toners help the appearance of pores
Nothing in this planet can make pores ‘close’ like a door, but the use of a toner can help the pores appear smaller.

6. Can be used to set makeup
Did you know that you can transfer toner into a spray bottle (if it doesn’t already come in one) and use it to set your makeup to help it last all day? Moreover, it makes a great refreshing and hydrating pick-me-up throughout the day—as you’re sitting at your desk at work, freshening up after a long flight or simply wanting a dewy glow for happy hour.

7. They help prevent ingrown hairs
Toners that contain alpha hydroxy acids—especially glycolic acid—can help prevent ingrown hairs on the skin.

How to Use a Toner
If toners are a foreign thing to you and you’re not sure how to use one, all you need is a cotton ball or cotton pad and simply pour a bit of toner onto the ball or pad and wipe on the skin in an outward motion.

As you can see, toners are a huge multi-tasker in the skin care industry and can impart numerous benefits to the skin.

Author Bio: Lee Ann Buttery is a licensed Esthetician and professional makeup artist that works for Mario Badescu Skin Care.