A toner is essential to your routine. After each cleansing, you must apply toner all over. You can do this one of two ways, either put it on a cotton pad or ball and rub gently in an upward motion all over. The upward motion is important as this will ensure you do not stretch or pull the skin or muscles and cause wrinkles, tearing or sagging. The other option is to get a small spray bottle and keep your toner in it.
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Personally, I like the spray bottle option best. It makes it easier to get it applied quickly and keep the face moist for the application of your moisturizer. Toner is key for a few different reasons. The most important is that it brings your skin back to its normal pH level and helps the skin to absorb the ingredients. When you don’t use the toner a couple different things can happen. Depending on the type of cleanser you’re using and the temperature of your water, your pores can either be wide open, ready to not only except your moisturizer but every other particle that may be floating around in the air around you, or they can be completely closed up tight and nothing will be able to enter, leaving your moisturizer just sitting on top of your skin instead of absorbing where it needs to be to work.
The best water temperature to use is slightly hotter than lukewarm. Too hot and it can damage your skin and leave your pores completely steamed open and nowhere near ready to close back up. Too cold and your pores slam shut and refuse to accept any of the goodies that your moisturizer is promising to offer your skin. Cold water can also trap dirt, debris and dead skin inside your pores causing blackheads and eventually break outs.
Next week, I will talk about moisturizers! This is the MOST important step in your skin care routine, in my eyes! You don't want to miss all of the information on it!