Toners have been an essential part of skincare routines for years, but their bad reputation in the past led to many abandoning them. However, with the rise of global K-Pop culture, toners are making a strong comeback.

In the past, toners were known for their high alcohol content, which could cause the skin to become dry and lose moisture. Today, toners are being formulated with gentler ingredients. They now claim to not only cleanse the skin but also help maintain its moisture and pH balance.

Toners have become a staple in Korean skincare routines to achieve flawless skin. But what about astringents? Let’s take a look at the difference between the two.

What is Toner?

Toner is a water-based skincare product that helps to remove makeup and residue left on the skin after cleansing.

Many modern toners are now made from herbal and flower extracts, packed with antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients like niacinamide. This ingredient offers several benefits, including:

• Providing double cleansing by thoroughly removing makeup residue, excess oil, and dead skin cells.

• Helping balance skin nutrients for a softer and smoother feel.

• Reducing redness.

• Maintaining skin’s pH balance while moisturizing the skin.

Toners are suitable for all skin types, including normal, dry, oily, and sensitive skin.

What is Astringent?

Astringents are water-based skincare products used after cleansing your face. They are effective in removing excess oil, shrinking large pores, and giving your skin a firmer appearance.

Astringents are also infused with antioxidants from berries, grapes, and tea, and often contain salicylic acid to combat inflamed acne and blackheads.

However, astringents have a downside: they typically contain alcohol, which can be harsh on the skin. The alcohol can strip away excess oil from the skin, including sebum, which is crucial for maintaining healthy skin.

Using astringents on acne-prone skin can result in dryness and irritation, which may worsen inflammation.

The Most Fundamental Difference Between Astringents and Toners

While they may seem similar, astringents and toners are different products. Toners usually contain a wider variety of active ingredients that may not be found in astringents.

Astringents often contain alcohol to address issues like excess oil, blackheads, and large pores.

Toner can be used before or after cleansing and doesn't need to be rinsed off. After applying toner or astringent, you can follow up with a moisturizer, but ensure the product has dried and been absorbed before applying moisturizer or sunscreen.

You can also use both products together. For example, use toner before washing your face, then follow up with an astringent, or use an astringent after cleansing and finish with toner.

The key is to choose the right toner and astringent that match your skin’s needs and concerns so they complement each other.

Should You Choose Toner or Astringent?

Not all skin types require astringents, so you don’t need to use them every day. Toner may be the better option, as it works to cleanse and hydrate the skin differently.

Toners offer a broader range of active ingredients that can be customized to suit your skin type and needs.

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