Natural Toner Or Astringent

Everybody in the world wants to look good, at all times and at all places. There is hardly any person in this world who is not concerned about his or her appearance. Each one of us longs for a glowing face, flawless complexion, hourglass figure/great physique, million-dollar smile, and the list goes on. For achieving the first two goals, you need to make sure that you keep your face clean i.e. free of oil and dirt. Amongst the most popular skin cleansing products available these days are toners and astringents. Both the products essentially do the same work i.e. making sure that all the excess oil in the skin gets removed and the shiny look of the face subsides as soon as possible. Still, they are a tad different from each other. Moreover, they are mostly misused and assumed to be substitutes to each other, though this is not the case. Each having its own distinct compositions and uses, both toners and astringents are essential parts of a skin care regimen, depending upon what your skin type is. To know what is the basic difference between skin toners and astringents, read the information given in the following lines.

 

The similarity between skin toners and astringents is that both are beneficial for absorbing excess oil and keeping off the shininess from the skin. But, they differ from one another on the basis of certain criteria. Listed here are a few.

 

Toners comprise of certain substances like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, green tea and caffeine. However, they are free of alcohol or harsh chemicals and are made up of water. Also known as fresheners, toners constitute moisturizers, oils and extracts that keep the skin hydrated and smooth. Astringents, on the other hand, are either chemical-based or alcohol-based, though they are made up of the same ingredients as toners. While skin toners are used after washing the face, astringents can be applied without washing the face, as their main purpose is to remove oil and dirt. In short, toners are milder than astringents.

 

Astringents are best used in case of oily skin or combination skin. Conversely, toners should be the only choice for dry or sensitive skin. This is because the chemicals/alcohol in the astringents irritates sensitive skin and makes dry skin even drier. While an astringent provides a matte appearance to the skin by removing excess and dirt, using a facial toner on oily or combination skin can further give an oily look.

 

Astringents are useful in controlling surface oils and lowering skin’s pH, after cleansing. At the same time, they also tighten the open pores of the skin. Also, they prevent blemishes and breakouts by removing impurities, dead skin cells, makeup and dirt. On the other hand, toners are mainly used for keeping the skin hydrated and providing nourishment to the skin. Contrary to the misconception that acids have drying effects, toners contain glycolic acid which acts as an exfoliant to release the natural oils and dirt accumulating in the skin pores, thereby deep cleansing the skin and lowering the chances of pimple or blackhead outbreak. The inclusion of herbal ingredients, such as citrus fruits, prevents the damage caused by free radicals on the skin. What’s more, they avert fine lines from appearing, enhance skin tone, and add freshness to a tired complexion.

 

Though toners and astringents are similar, yet they are different. To extract the maximum benefits from these home skin care products, pick up one that is best suited for your skin type.