The forgotten middle child of skincare might deserve a little more attentt's a rainy Sunday here in Thurmont, and instead of curling up with a good book, a warm blanket, and a cat (or three), I'm sitting at my computer working on renewing my massage therapy license. Exciting stuff, right? Continuing education, reviewing information, answering questions, and making sure all my professional ducks are in a row. It's one of those necessary parts of being a licensed massage therapist that doesn't exactly scream relaxing Sunday afternoon. But here's the funny thing about continuing education. Sometimes, while you're reviewing things you've learned over the years, your mind wanders down a completely different path. And today, mine wandered straight into skincare. Specifically, toner.

Yes, toner.

That mysterious little bottle sitting somewhere between your cleanser and moisturizer. The one that often gets overlooked, misunderstood, or completely forgotten. The middle child of skincare. And like most middle children, it probably has a few things to say about being ignored! So, in keeping with my recent Facebook post about whether we really need more skincare products or simply need to use the right ones consistently, I thought we'd give toner its moment in the spotlight. Because the question is a good one: Do I really need a toner?

A Little Wisdom From My Mentor

When I first began learning about skincare, my mentor and teacher, Nina Howard, was a HUGE advocate for toners.

And when I say huge, I mean she really believed every woman needed a toner in her skincare routine! Nina was passionate about skincare education. She didn't just want us to know which products to use. She wanted us to understand why we were using them. Through my Bellanina education, I learned to appreciate skincare as a series of thoughtful steps, with each product serving a purpose. And toner? Well, Nina certainly wasn't going to let us forget about toner! She emphasized its importance as part of a complete skincare routine, helping prepare the skin for the products that followed. I can still hear her enthusiasm when I think about this subject. And while skincare science, ingredients, and formulations have evolved over the years, those early lessons have stayed with me. In fact, I have a feeling Nina would be quite pleased that I'm dedicating an entire blog to the often-neglected toner. Although she might wonder why I even put a question mark after Do I Need One? 😂

Remember When Toner Was Basically a Slap in the Face?

If you're of a certain age (and I'm raising my hand here 🙋‍♀️), you might remember the toners and astringents of years past.

You soaked a cotton ball, wiped it across your face, and waited for that unmistakable sting. And what did we think?

"Oh, it's burning! It must be working!" Oh, honey. No. That tight, squeaky-clean feeling wasn't necessarily a sign of beautifully balanced skin. Sometimes it was a sign that we'd just stripped away too much of our skin's natural protective oils. Thankfully, today's toners have come a long way. Many modern formulas focus on hydration, soothing ingredients, and supporting the skin barrier rather than making your face feel like it just survived a chemical experiment. And that's a very good thing!

So, What Does a Toner Actually Do?

Think of your skincare routine like getting ready for a dinner party.

Your cleanser does the cleaning.

Your toner helps set the table.

Your serums bring out the special dishes.

And your moisturizer makes sure everyone stays comfortable.

Okay, maybe I'm stretching the dinner party analogy a little, but you get the idea!

Depending on its ingredients, a good toner can:

• Add hydration. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin help attract water to the skin.
• Soothe and comfort. Certain formulas can help calm skin that feels dry, tight, or stressed.
• Refresh the skin. A gentle toner can leave your skin feeling comfortable after cleansing.
• Address specific concerns. Some toners contain ingredients that help improve the appearance of uneven texture, dullness, or excess oil.
• Provide an additional treatment step. A toner can deliver beneficial ingredients that complement your moisturizer and serums.
• 
  

But here's the important part. Not every toner does all these things. A hydrating toner and an exfoliating toner are two very different products, even though they share the same name. And neither one should replace a good cleanser or moisturizer.

But Wait! Isn't Toner Supposed to Balance My Skin's pH?

Ahhh, the famous pH question! This is one of the things many of us were taught when learning about traditional skincare routines. Our skin naturally has a slightly acidic surface, often called the acid mantle, which helps support its protective barrier.

Years ago, when harsher soaps and more alkaline cleansers were commonly used, toners were often recommended to help restore the skin's natural pH after washing. And that made sense. But here's where skincare education gets interesting.

Today's cleansers are often very different from the cleansers we used years ago. Many modern facial cleansers are formulated to be gentle and compatible with the skin's natural pH. So while a properly formulated toner can certainly be a wonderful addition to your routine, you don't necessarily need one just to correct your skin's pH after every wash. And this is why I love continuing education. We can appreciate what we were taught, respect the professionals who taught us, and still embrace new information as skincare science advances. Learning never stops. Even on rainy Sundays when I'd rather be doing something other than renewing my license!

Not All Toners Are Created Equal

Here's where things get interesting. The right toner for one person might be completely wrong for someone else.

If your skin is dry or dehydrated: Look for a gentle, hydrating toner containing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or panthenol.Especially as we head into cooler weather, an extra layer of hydration may be just what your skin appreciates.

If your skin is oily: Don't assume you need something harsh to dry everything out. Oily skin needs hydration, too! A lightweight, non-greasy toner may help provide moisture without leaving your skin feeling heavy.

If your skin is sensitive: Keep it simple. Look for gentle, fragrance-free formulas without harsh astringents or strong exfoliating ingredients. Sometimes less really is more.

If your skin looks dull or feels rough: An exfoliating toner containing ingredients such as glycolic acid or lactic acid might be helpful. But be careful! If you're already using retinol, exfoliating cleansers, or other active treatments, adding an exfoliating toner could be too much for your skin. Remember, more exfoliation doesn't automatically mean better skin. Sometimes it just means an irritated face. And nobody wants that.

Where Does Toner Fit Into My Routine?

This is the easy part.

Your morning routine:

1. Cleanse
2. Tone (if you're using one)
3. Apply your serum or treatment
4. Moisturize
5. Finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher

Your evening routine:

1. Cleanse
2. Tone (if you're using one)
3. Apply your evening treatment
4. Moisturize

Some medicated treatments have specific application instructions, so always follow those directions.

And here's a little tip. If you're using a gentle hydrating toner, you may not even need a cotton pad. Depending on the product, you can apply a small amount to clean hands and gently press it into your skin. No aggressive rubbing. No scrubbing. Your face is not a kitchen countertop! If you're using an exfoliating toner, however, follow the product's directions carefully. These formulas aren't necessarily meant to be used twice a day, or even every day.

So, Judi, Do I Actually NEED a Toner?

Here's where I might get myself into a little trouble with Nina's memory. No, not everyone absolutely needs a toner.

There. I said it. But before anyone throws a bottle of toner at me, let me explain! I absolutely believe the right toner can be a beneficial addition to a skincare routine. If your skin is dehydrated, needs a little extra comfort, or could benefit from a particular ingredient, a well-chosen toner may be worth considering. But if you're cleansing gently, moisturizing consistently, protecting your skin from the sun, and your skin looks and feels wonderful, I'm not going to tell you that you're doing something wrong because you skipped toner. What matters most is understanding your skin and choosing products that serve a purpose.

Not because they're trendy. Not because someone on social media has a 14-step routine. And certainly not because you have an empty spot on your bathroom shelf!

A Little Advice From My Treatment Room

One of the things I've learned over the years as a massage therapist and skincare professional is that skincare doesn't have to be complicated to be effective. During Honey Face Lift Massage sessions, I get questions about products and ingredients all the time. And believe me, with the number of skincare products and ingredients I work with, occasionally my brain decides to take a little vacation right when someone asks me a perfectly reasonable question! I know the information is in there somewhere. It's just hiding behind about 500 other ingredients, massage techniques, and whatever else is floating around in my head that day. That's one of the reasons I've been enjoying writing these weekly Beyond Skin Deep blogs. They give me a chance to revisit what I've learned, explore newer information, and share it with you in a way that hopefully makes skincare a little less confusing. And today's little trip down memory lane reminded me how much of my skincare philosophy was shaped by Nina Howard and my Bellanina education. I still believe in thoughtful, consistent skincare. I still believe in choosing products for a reason. And I still believe that understanding your skin is far more valuable than owning a bathroom counter full of expensive bottles. Because I don't want you buying products simply because I sell them. I want you to understand what they do, why you might benefit from them, and whether they actually belong in your routine. Beautiful skincare isn't about collecting bottles. It's about caring for the skin you're in.

The Bottom Line: Give the Middle Child a Little Love!

So, is toner a miracle in a bottle?

Nope.

Is it a replacement for cleansing or moisturizing?

Absolutely not.

Is it just fancy water in a pretty bottle?

Not necessarily!

A well-formulated toner can provide hydration, comfort, and targeted skincare benefits that complement the rest of your routine.

And sometimes that little extra step is exactly what your skin has been asking for.

So before you run out and buy another product, take a good look at what you're already using.

You might benefit from a toner.

You might need a better moisturizer.

Or you might simply need to be a little more consistent with the products you already own.

And that's perfectly okay.

As for me, I think Nina would be happy to know that all these years later, I'm still talking about toner, still asking questions, and still learning.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a massage therapy license to finish renewing, a rainy Sunday to enjoy, and a few cats who are probably wondering why I've been staring at this computer for so long.



Until next time, nourish your skin naturally! 🌿

Judi Mach, LMT

Best Pure Skin Care | Beyond Skin Deep

www.bestpureskincare.com

P.S. A Little Toner Meets Serum Magic! 💕

Speaking of toners, I have to give a little shout-out to one of my favorites from FarmHouse Fresh — Good Gravity™ Lifting Milky Spray Serum!

Now, technically, it's a serum, not a toner, but I like to think of it as a toner and serum having a very lovely skincare baby! 😂 It's a lightweight, milky mist that you use right after cleansing, just where a toner would normally fit into your routine. But it brings some extra goodies to the party, including peptides, edelweiss extract, hyaluronic acid, and nourishing botanical oils to help hydrate, plump, and improve the appearance of firmness. I use Good Gravity in my treatment room and love it for home skincare, too. Just mist it over your face, neck, and décolleté, gently press it in, and follow with your moisturizer.

Mist it. Press it in. Massage it. That's my kind of skincare!

So if you're curious about adding that often-forgotten middle step to your routine but love the idea of getting some serum benefits at the same time, this one is definitely worth a look!

🌿 Meet Good Gravity™ Lifting Milky Spray Serum at Best Pure Skin Care