In case you’re aware of my skincare line otherwise you’re an everyday reader of my weblog, you understand how a lot I really like toner (alcohol-free toner to be precise). Not solely does it give the pores and skin an immediate increase of hydration, however it may additionally stability the pores and skin’s pH degree and help the pure moisture barrier.
Some skincare corporations package deal their toners in spray bottles, which permits individuals to simply apply them to their pores and skin after cleaning. Different manufacturers, like mine, package deal them in bottles for the aim of wiping them throughout the pores and skin with a cotton pad or firming fabric. I’m typically requested whether or not the applying methodology issues and in that case, which means is finest. My reply is sure, it does matter! On this publish, I’ll clarify why. Maintain studying to search out out.
What Is the Finest Method to Apply Toner?
Wiping a toner on the face with a cotton pad or firming fabric is the popular methodology. Why? One of many 5 main advantages of toner is that it may take away residue from the pores and skin—whether or not that’s residue from a cleanser or, extra importantly, residue leftover from faucet water.
What many individuals won’t understand is that faucet water comprises minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. If you wash your face with faucet water, and these minerals are deposited in your pores and skin, they’ll react with surfactants in your cleanser and kind what is basically cleaning soap scum.
This finally creates a movie that upsets the stability of the pores and skin in additional methods than one, resulting in the next pores and skin points:
- A disrupted moisture barrier
- Dryness and dehydration
- Irritation and sensitivity
- Tough-feeling pores and skin
- Clogged pores
The excellent news is that the straightforward motion of wiping your pores and skin will take away all of those problem-causing residues! That’s why I all the time apply my toner with Firming Cloths. Not solely do they assist raise away these film-forming minerals, however additionally they take in much less liquid than a standard cotton pad or ball. In the long term, this implies your pores and skin will get probably the most out of the toner and also you save product. Plus, they’re ultra-gentle on the pores and skin and also you don’t get any of that fuzz or shredding fibers such as you do with cotton rounds.
The one time I recommend spraying a toner vs. wiping it’s in the event you’re utilizing it on the go, like in the event you had been utilizing the Fast Response Maskne Spray. I packaged this toner into a sprig bottle for handy software all through the day as we put on protecting face masks. With salicylic acid, lactic acid, and tea tree oil, this spray-on toner helps maintain mask-induced breakouts at bay.
The Backside Line
Whereas wiping vs. spraying toner may seem to be an pointless distinction, it actually does make a distinction!
As all the time, be sure to’re utilizing an alcohol-free toner. Toners which are alcohol-based might be extraordinarily drying and aggravating. Additionally, be sure to’re leaving your toner damp in your pores and skin earlier than making use of serum or moisturizer (I name this the Golden Minute Rule). It will seal in all that hydration and maintain your pores and skin trying plump and wholesome.
Subsequent, try 10 shocking cleaning errors that you must cease making!

Movie star Esthetician & Skincare Professional
As an esthetician educated in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare skilled has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which are formulated for 9 several types of pores and skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its finest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”