The Microscopic Refresh: What Your Toner Does (The Science Behind Beauty)
By Rochelle Lowery Founder of Lemon Box Beauty
It's 6 AM. You hit the light switch, eyes barely opening, and take a foggy glimpse of yourself in the mirror, ready to tackle that bed head and those pillow lines to start your day. You cleanse your face and reach for your favorite toner, swiping a toning pad across your skin, feeling refreshed. But have you ever wondered what's really happening on a microscopic level?
Most people start with a cleanser I’d hope, to clean and remove the nighttime impurities and pillow particles form our skin, your cleanser, while effective, can sometimes slightly disrupt your skin's natural pH balance. Toners are formulated to bring your skin back to its optimal, slightly acidic pH (around 5.5).
This is crucial because a balanced pH helps your skin's protective barrier, the acid mantle, it sounds like I know what I'm talking about right .... Well, I do! but really, it’s just a thin layer of mostly acidic skin that acts as a protective barrier. A healthy acid mantle is your first line of defense against bacteria, pollution, and moisture loss. It’s kind of a big deal!
Who doesn't like diagrams! they really put words into perspective in a fun and understandable way! Check out this cute graphic I made showing the comparison of healthy Vs Unhealthy skin. Let’s check it out!
Imagine your skin cells as tiny sponges. After cleansing, they might be a bit compressed and squished (Pictured above). Toners, especially hydrating ones, can help to plump up these cells by delivering a dose of moisture. This microscopic plumping action creates a smoother, more receptive surface for the next steps in your skincare routine.
Lemon Box Beauty Toning Facial Pads
As a cosmetic artisan and saleswoman, I sometimes feel people don't believe me when I say, 'Just washing your face isn't enough.' I promise it's not a gimmick or a ploy to get you to buy toner; it absolutely has a purpose.
Toners work to remove any residual dirt, oil, or cleanser that your initial wash might have missed. On a microscopic level, this means clearing out the very openings of your pores.
Lemon Box Beauty Toning Facial Pads contain natural witch hazel to help minimize excess oil production. The cool thing about witch hazel is that it contains compounds called tannins, which are natural astringents. This means they can temporarily tighten and constrict skin tissues, including pores.
Drumroll......And it can help to reduce redness and inflammation associated with blemishes, and by keeping pores clearer, it may help prevent new breakouts literally the coolest natural ingredient out there, Am I right!
If you haven't been using toner or have never tried it, this miracle product literally protects your face's first line of defense against the icky, yucky germs and pathogens we are exposed to every day.
Grab your Toning facial Pads here
