
So, a little story: when I first got into skincare, I remember stealing my mom’s old bottle of toner (you know, the kind that smelled way too strong and left your face feeling like sandpaper). I used it religiously in middle school because I thought that “tight” feeling meant it was working. Turns out… not exactly! Fast forward to today, and toner has totally evolved. Now it’s one of my favorite steps for keeping my skin balanced and glowy—and I promise, it’s nothing like the drying formulas we grew up with.
Toner helps remove leftover dirt and oil after cleansing, balances your skin, and preps it to better absorb serums and moisturizers. It’s best used daily as the step right after cleansing and before the rest of your skincare routine.
Before you decide toner is just “extra” or skip it completely, let me tell you—this one simple step can actually make all your other products work better. Stick with me, because I’m breaking down what toner really does, how to use it, and the best ones to add to your routine.
What Is Face Toner?
Think of toner as that in-between step your skin secretly loves. It’s a lightweight liquid (sometimes a spray, gel, or cream) that you use right after cleansing but before your serum and moisturizer. Basically, it preps your skin so it drinks up all that good hydration and treatment that comes next. Most toners are meant just for your face, and you usually apply them with a cotton pad.
What Does Toner Do for Skin?
Toner is like the friend who makes sure you didn’t leave anything behind. It sweeps away leftover dirt, oil, and cleanser that your face wash might’ve missed. Depending on the formula, it can hydrate, brighten, smooth, refresh, and even make pores look smaller.

The best part? Most modern toners are alcohol-free, so instead of drying you out, they leave your skin soft and balanced.
Is Toner Really Necessary?
Yes, girl—it really is! Toner is that behind-the-scenes helper that keeps your skin clean and prepped, which can help prevent breakouts and keep dryness away. The trick is finding a formula that works for your skin type. Once you get the right one, you’ll never want to skip it.
Is It Good to Use Toner Every Day?
Absolutely. Toner isn’t one of those “use only twice a week” products. It’s designed to fit right into your daily skincare—morning and night. By removing leftover grime and balancing your skin, it actually helps your moisturizer and serums work harder.
Is Toner Bad for Your Skin?
Nope! The confusion usually comes from those old-school toners that were loaded with alcohol. According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI), alcohol-heavy formulas can dehydrate skin. But there are plenty of gentle, alcohol-free, and even hydrating toners now. So, toner isn’t bad—it’s all about picking the right one for your skin.
Is Rose Water a Toner?
Yes! Rose water (made from the rosa damascena plant) has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an amazing natural toner. It’s soothing, hydrating, and refreshing. No wonder rose water toners and sprays are trending—especially for a midday pick-me-up.
Our Best Face Toner
If you’re ready to try one, my fave is the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner (available on Amazon). It’s alcohol-free, super gentle, and packed with beta hydroxy acid and pro-vitamin B5. It helps brighten and refresh, while protecting against moisture loss. I use it morning and night with a cotton ball—it works beautifully on dry, oily, and even combination skin.
How to Use Toner
Here’s the order I follow whenever toner is part of my routine:
Step 1: Do an Initial Cleanse with Micellar Water
Start with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Waterproof – All Skin Types (available on Amazon). Just pour some on a cotton pad and wipe away makeup, dirt, and oil. It’s so gentle but effective.
Step 2: Use a Rinse-Off Facial Cleanser
Next, I go in with a clay-to-mousse cleanser. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Facial Cleanser (available on Amazon) is great for dull skin, and the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refine Facial Cleanser (available on Amazon) is perfect if you want smoother texture.
Step 3: Swipe Toner Across Your Face
Now it’s toner time! I use the HydraFresh Toner (available on Amazon) with a cotton pad, gently sweeping it all over.
Step 4: Apply Facial Serum
Serums are like your treatment step. My go-tos are:
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Golden Serum (available on Amazon) for dull skin and fine lines
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum (available on Amazon) amazing for hydration and plumping.
Step 5: Dab on Eye Cream
The eye area needs extra TLC. I rotate between:
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Eye Renewal Eye Cream (available on Amazon) for wrinkles and fine lines
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey Eye Gel (available on Amazon) for hydration and puffiness.
Step 6: Smooth on Moisturizer
No matter your skin type, you need moisturizer. Try:
L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal to Oily Skin (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Normal to Dry Skin (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care for Extra Dry Skin (available on Amazon).
All of these are water-based, with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid for long-lasting hydration.
Step 7: Apply Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen in the Morning
Never skip SPF! Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and apply it after your moisturizer.
Bonus Step: Use a Face Scrub or Face Mask (2–3 Times a Week)
For extra glow, I exfoliate with one of these gentle sugar scrubs:
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Smooth & Glow Grapeseed Scrub (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Purify & Unclog Kiwi Scrub (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub (available on Amazon).
And for masks, I love rotating between:
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Face Mask (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Face Mask (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort Face Mask (available on Amazon)
L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Clarify & Smooth Face Mask (available on Amazon).
Do You Wash Off Toner?
Nope—this isn’t cleanser. Toner is meant to stay on your skin and absorb quickly, so don’t rinse it off. Think of it like micellar water or an astringent: it works best when left behind to do its job.
5 Other Ways to Use Toner
1. Chill Out
Pop your toner in the fridge for a cooling, refreshing treat on hot days.
2. Cleanse Your Neck and Chest
Don’t stop at your face—your neck and chest need love too!
3. Refresh on the Go
Traveling? Bring a travel-sized toner and cotton pads to keep skin hydrated, especially on planes.
4. Prep for Makeup
Toner creates a smooth, hydrated base so your foundation goes on flawlessly.
Final Thoughts
Okay sis, here’s the takeaway: toner isn’t just some “extra” skincare step—it’s a game-changer. It helps sweep away leftover dirt and oil, balances your skin, and preps it so your serums and moisturizers actually work harder for you. The right toner like the L’Oréal Paris HydraFresh Toner (available on Amazon) can make your skin look brighter, feel softer, and stay hydrated without that harsh, drying effect we all remember from the past.

So, if you’ve been skipping toner, consider this your sign to bring it back into your routine. Start simple: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. Then, once you feel confident, add in serums, eye creams, and masks to take things up a notch. Your skin will thank you with that healthy, glowing vibe we all love.
Bottom line: toner is one of those small steps that makes a big difference. Don’t wait—pick the formula that fits your skin type and start using it daily. You’ll notice the glow before you know it!
Why not expand your knowledge even further by reading another makeup/beauty article here on Pink Femme? You can find them either via the menu at the top of the page or by clicking this link that will take you to the list of all the beauty articles.
If you enjoy reading transgender coming out stories or romance stories with a trans-positive element, take a look at my author page on Amazon where you will find all the novels that I have published so far.
Thank you for your visit to the Pink Femme website. I’m determined to keep all of the valuable information on here free for anyone to access. No pay-walls. That said, if you are able to help keep the lights on, so to speak, I would really appreciate your support. Here is the Pink Femme Patreon page with a really cheap support tier. Every little bit helps to cover the costs of keeping Pink Femme alive on the internet. Hugs to all of you.
Keep up to date with all my latest femme news with the fabulous Pink Femme Newsletter. Each Monday you’ll receive an email from me that will include a chapter from the novel that I am currently writing. I will also alert you to interesting information from articles that have not yet been published on Pink Femme. The Pink Femme Newsletter is the only place to see chapters from the novels before they are published. Sign up today: PINK FEMME NEWSLETTER.
When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.