beauty

Should You Use Toner If You Have Dry Skin? We Asked Dermatologists

February 3, 2022 by Marissa Matozzo
shefinds | beauty

From the harsh effects of winter to our diets to natural aging, there are many reasons why we experience dry skin, especially on our faces. Creating a traditional skincare routine for dry skin can be difficult since many toners out there contain alcohol as a prime ingredient, which can exacerbate drying. Toner is often dubbed an essential step for skincare, so we reached out to dermatologists and skincare experts to determine if anyone with dry skin should use toner, and if there are any kinds out there that won’t make the dryness worse.

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First Off, What is the Purpose of Facial Toner?

Before getting into the debate on whether anyone with dry skin should use toner, you might be wondering why it's often considered an essential anti-aging skincare step. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rina Allawh, MD, FAAD explains that a face toner is used to absorb excess dirt, oil, makeup and any other debris that may clog skin pores.

 

"Toners are used as an alternative way to cleanse the skin on the face when frequent washing may be irritating for those with sensitive skin," says Allawh. Allawh also notes that toner should traditionally be applied to the face with a cotton pad after cleansing with a gentle hydrating cleanser. As for the frequency of facial toner use, Allawh says it depends on the ingredients in the toner, skin type and the purpose of the toner.

 

"For those with oily, acne-prone skin, a facial toner with gentle ingredients may be used once daily vs individuals with sensitive, dry skin, a facial toner may be used up to two to three times weekly," says Allawh. Facial toners containing "less irritating and more soothing ingredients" may be used daily in the morning or evening in contrast to facial toners containing exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid. 

 

Read on for specific tips for anyone with dry skin, and why some experts advise them to be wary of alcohol-based toners.

What Should People With Dry Skin Know About Toner? 

While some experts advise anyone with dry skin to avoid toner completely, others suggest avoiding ingredients like alcohol specifically.  Dr. Cheryl Rosen, Director of Dermatology at BowTied Life adds that there are three types of toners— astringent, clarifying, and moisturizing— and that each type is meant for a specific skin type.

 

"Those with oily skin should avoid using toners that contain alcohol because it can make their skin more oily, and those with dry skin should use a toner that contains moisturizers to help hydrate their skin," Rosen says, noting that those with combination skin should use a toner that is "alcohol-free and helps to balance the oil production on their face."

 

Allawh also agrees that for those with dry, sensitive skin, unscented facial toners with gentle, non-irritating ingredients may be used. "If you experience dry, sensitive skin, it is important to to discuss with your board-certified dermatologist ingredients that are safe to use," says Allawh. "Facial toner ingredients safe to use for those with dry skin include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, Vitamin E, rose water and antioxidants."  Her rule of thumb is to start twice weekly and follow-up the facial toner with a facial moisturizer, then titrate use to daily as tolerated.

 

Some of us with dry skin also experience oil at times, making us have "combination" skin, whereas for others, theirs is simply dry. Since your skin is unique and requires its own specific ingredients, it's best to visit a dermatologist, like Allawh suggests, to find what works for your skin. In the meantime, you can use tips like these to learn what kinds of toners exist and why they might appeal to you. 

 

 

Author:

Staff Writer

Marissa is a Brooklyn-based culture journalist and staff writer at SheFinds, covering edgy celebrity style, timeless beauty trends, lifestyle and entertainment news. Her coverage of indie music, NYC fashion, underground and pop culture is featured in PAPER Magazine, Paste Magazine, The Knockturnal, Bandsintown and more. You can reach her at [email protected]

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