SKIN SCHOOL: toner

Updated skincare routine - toners

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Acid Toners: an update

Friday, February 05, 2016

If you read my toning post here, you'll see that I recommended a few different options for acid toners.
Acid toning is one of the best things I ever did for my skin, it was one of the main things that completely cleared it up (along with using good skincare products alongside, and starting to use Liquid Gold.)
If you don't already, I would really recommend starting. Metaphorically speaking, it's a bit like blowing a loud horn into your ear, forcing your skin into action.
I always apply two toners, so first I use an acid toner to exfoliate, then I use a hydrating spritz toner directly afterwards to hydrate and moisturise, before applying the rest of my routine.
Honestly, you will fall in love with acid toning when you see the difference it makes to your skin.

I have a quick update today, firstly is about a toner I mentioned in my toning post mentioned above, the REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner.

So, this has been one of my favourite toners for a while now, but I've stopped buying it recently as they have unfortunately changed the formulation. The glycolic and lactic acid that used to be in it, have been replaced with passion fruit and pineapple extract, which won't have nearly as much of a positive effect on the skin. It's also annoying that they say it contains 'no drying alcohol' when it does, in fact, contain alcohol denat. I really love the rest of the REN products though, but I wish they hadn't changed this!

Secondly, I want to draw your attention to the exfoliating toners available from Bravura London, which I am dying to try!

Detoxifying Eucalyptus Astringent Toner 15% AHA/BHA 150ml

Revitalising Ginseng Toner with Glycolic Acid 5% 150ml

There are three types available, and they all contain acids. They are all only £12.90 which is really affordable, click here to view them on the website. Once I have run out of the ones I'm currently using, I am definitely going to be buying one of these, I think I'll go for the Revitalising Ginseng one, or the Purifying Calendula one. My last post was also about Bravura's acid treatments, which I am really pleased with, I promise, I'm not being sponsored by them! I'm just really impressed with the products and their price points.

Until next time!

Cleansing

Routines

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Today I thought I'd do a quick post on skincare routines. There is a lot of confusion surrounding what should be applied, when and how often, so I'm hoping this should clear things up.

Morning:

Cleanse. No face wipes, no foaming face washes, no daily scrubs. A nice milk, oil or balm cleanser preferably, removed with a warm, damp face cloth. Clay based ones are also suitable for oily skin, as long as they are not foaming!
Tone. Acid toners are best, otherwise, use a mild toner, not with a high alcohol content.
Spritz hydrate. I like to layer skincare, so I add this step in to inject as much hydration into my skin as possible. It also feels really nice and soothing.
Eyes. Application of an eye cream/serum around the eyes, underneath and on top. Eye creams come before your face moisturiser, not afterwards. (Eye products seem optional for most people, but should be an essential if you are concerned with lines/wrinkles, dark circles and dehydration around your eyes.) Do not overload the thin skin around the eyes by applying it directly under or over the eyelid, apply it where you can feel the eyebone.
Serum/oils (Similar to above, a serum is also optional for most people. For me, it's an essential, because they are more concentrated and can penetrate more deeply into the skin). Serums should always be applied under your moisturiser. If you don't seal in your serum using your moisturiser, it'll just evaporate off the skin. Choose one based on your skin type, and one that doesn't contain mineral oil/paraffin or silicone.
Moisturise. Essential to protect and hydrate your skin for the day. Again, avoid silicone in your moisturisers. It's best to use a separate SPF rather than a moisturiser that contains SPF, as it won't have much benefit on the skin (as previously mentioned on here).

Night

1. Cleanse. As above. If you are wearing make-up, remove your make-up first, then cleanse your skin. To do this you can either double cleanse using your cleanser, or use a micellar water first to remove make-up, then your proper cleanser.

2. Tone. As above.

3. Spritz hydrate. As above.

4. 'Treatment' products, my favourite step. This is where you can really go to town, and where your main expense should be. Ideally you should have a few of these you can switch between, depending on what your skin needs that day. These products are things like: night creams, acid exfoliators (liquid gold for example), and facial oils.

Some of this has been previously mentioned on here, however I'm hoping this should reiterate certain things.

Pop any questions in the comment section below,
and remember to follow me!

beauty

Toning

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Today's post is going to be about toning, along with some recommendations.

Why should I use a toner?

So, so, so many people miss out toning, because they either;
1. don't know what they do, or 2. think they are too drying/astringent.

Toners are used to rebalance the pH level of your skin after cleansing, and to shrink the pores, so that bacteria & pollution don't build up in the pores and cause dryness/dullness/spots. Note - toners are not used to 'remove traces of cleanser' or 'remove make-up residue'....if your cleanser does not remove your make-up or clean your face, you are not cleansing properly, or you need a new cleanser.

Yes, some toners are very astringent and drying on the skin, particularly those with a high alcohol content (~~aherm, Clinique!~~). You may aswell use nail polish remover.

I love acid toners, containing AHA's such as lactic acid (resurfacing, great for dry and dehydrated skin), glycolic acid (resurfacing, stimulating for better collagen production), and salicylic acid (great for spots/acne). The acid kicks your skin into action, sloughing away dead skin cells, and providing a perfect base for serums/moisturisers, allowing them to do their work properly.

The ones I recommend are gentle enough to use every day, as the acid content isn't too high. However, some people can have reactions to acids, just as they can have reactions to any other ingredients in products, like essential oils, so if you have extremely reactive/hyper sensitive skin, they may be best to avoid. It's important to note that you may experience a 'tingling' sensation for the first few times you use acids, but it disappears after a while.

Note: Alpha H Liquid Gold, recommended in one of my other posts, is not a toner. It should be used overnight, once or twice a week.
For those of you who don't want to use acid toners, I've listed a couple of acid-free ones.

Using the correct toner, will be one of the best things you ever do for your skin, trust me, you will see a difference.

Decleor Aroma White C+ Hydra-Brightening Lotion, £24.50, available here.

This is an acid-free formula, for those of you nervous about trying acid toners. It's still brightening and resurfacing, as it contains vitamin C, along with papaya and lemon. It's radiance boosting and gentle enough to use every day.

I really love a lot of Decleor products, they are a really good quality skincare brand.
Skin types: all
To use: after cleansing, apply some to a cotton pad and wipe over the skin.

Elemis Soothing/Rehydrating/Balancing Toner, £22.50 available here.

These are great toners for anyone who has never used one before. They are alcohol free, and acid free, so a great starting point if you've never had a proper skincare routine before. There are three different types, the one pictured is the Soothing Apricot Toner, it smells amazing, and is perfect for very sensitive, hormonal skin, and rosacea. There is also a Rehydrating Ginseng one, great for dry, dehydrated and mature skin, and lastly, a Balancing Lavender one, which is brilliant for oily/combination/spot prone skin. They are all the same price (£22.50), and are really good quality, and all smell gorgeous.

Skin types: I'd say they are all suitable for all skin types, however it's best to go for the one that you think best suits you.

To use: they come with a spray top, so you can spray it onto a cotton pad and wipe over the skin, or spritz directly onto the face if you're in a rush. Apply after cleansing, before moisturising.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, between £18-£22, available at most places online, including here.

These are a great starting point if you haven't used acids before. They are nice and gentle, but still kick your skin into action. Containing lactic and glycolic acid, along with cucumber and lemon peel, this is a lovely alcohol free brightening, exfoliating toner. They also contain hyaluronic acid, which is really hydrating. These can be used everyday, they are pre-soaked pads so there is no need for a cotton pad. Each pot contains 60 pads, so it's good value for money. This is one of the best affordable options for an acid toner, and one of my favourites out of this bunch.

Skin types: all, including sensitive skin.

To use: wipe over the skin with one of the pre-soaked pads after your cleanser, before your moisturiser.

Pixi Glow Tonic, £18, available here.

This is a gorgeous, exfoliating skin tonic that is gentle enough to use everyday. This is another of my favourites out of the bunch, it's alcohol free and also contains soothing aloe vera and oxygenating ginseng. I tend to prefer using this once a day rather than twice, so it was mostly in the evenings I'd use them.

Skin types: all.

To use: after cleansing, apply some to a cotton pad and wipe over the skin.

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion, £16.50 available here and at Boots.

I know it may seem like I'm contradicting myself here, but this clarifying lotion from the Clinique range is not the same as the other clarifying lotion toners they do. This, along with the 'Take the Day off' cleansing balm mentioned in my last post, are the only two Clinique products I like and would recommend. Most of the other products are harsh and stripping on the skin. However, this one is an alcohol free formula, so non-stripping, and it's main ingredient is salicylic acid.

Skin types: combination/oily/spot prone skin.

To use: after cleansing, apply some to a cotton pad and wipe over the skin.

REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner, £13 available here.

I've mentioned this in a couple of my other posts, this is the toner I've been using recently, it's one of the most affordable options. It has glycolic and lactic acid in it, so it really helps slough off dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling clear, radiant and smooth, ready for your serum/moisturiser.

Skin types: all, particularly oily/spot prone skin.

To use: after cleansing, apply some to a cotton pad and wipe over the skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion, £11.00, available here.

This is another affordable option, containing mainly salicylic acid, which really helps prevent breakouts and clear up any current ones. As above, this one does also contain alcohol denat, which can be slightly drying on the skin.

Skin types: all, particularly oily/spot prone skin

To use: as above.

If you have any questions please ask in the comment section below, and remember to subscribe!