The Regimen

Your Dry Skin is in Desperate Need of a Toner

Many people think of drying, astringent, harsh formulas when they think of toners; the last thing you want if you already have dry skin. But these unpleasant traits belong to toners of the past. These days, clarifying doesn’t mean stripping. And dry skin doesn’t mean you have to forgo the benefits of the all-important second step in a healthy skin care regimen. In fact, your dry skin is all the more reason to reach for the toner.

When clarifying tonics were first introduced, they were an expansion of the acne toolkit. Their main purpose was to remove excess oil and help remove debris from pores. They tended to be harsh and overly drying, so we don’t blame you for thinking they’re not for you. A lot has changed in the last couple of decades.

Aside from clarifying, balancing pH, reducing the appearance of pores, and generally improving skin health, a well-formulated toner clears away the dead skin cells to enhance product absorption and introduce moisture to the skin.

That last bit is particularly important because an accumulation of cellular debris blocks the moisture barrier and keeps your products from delivering their beneficial ingredients.

Guess which type of skin has a lot of cellular debris? The dry type. Lack of moisture causes skin cells to die more rapidly than in more hydrated skin, creating an excess of dead cells on the skin’s surface. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of dryness. Plus, the cellular buildup causes skin to look dull and fine lines to appear more visible.

Toners formulated with reparative, hydrating ingredients remove dead cells, bring moisture into the skin, help to restore a healthy skin barrier, and enhance the absorption of antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients. All of that adds up to more elastic and resilient skin. 

 

Best Toners for Dry Skin

Skin Nourishing Toner

This ultra-nourishing tonic is loaded with cell-renewing ingredients. Mandelic acid to target acne, aging and discoloration. Botanical elements to clear and calm. Rosehip oil to moisturize and protect against environmental stressors and signs of aging. Great for dry, irritated, sensitive, or rosacea-affected skin.

Normalizing Tonic

Transformative glycolic acid and super-softening lactic acid work on the surface to encourage cell renewal, while antioxidants and hydrating elements nourish the deeper layers. The perfect blend of calming and clarifying properties to balance and regenerate. Choose this one if fine lines and signs of aging are your prime concern.

3% Mandelic Acid 3-In-1 Toner

Want a little brightening with your hydrating? Mandelic is your go-to. This gentle multi-tasking acid is a melanin-inhibitor, so it’s the perfect enhancement to a brightening regimen. It also kills acne bacteria and encourages cell turnover to take on breakouts without drying.

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