What is a tonic?

Of course, every lady chooses skin care for herself. But there are three "whales", without which the skin of any beauty will not be in such perfect condition as she would like. It is cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Today we will talk in detail about the most often overlooked item - toning. If everything is clear with the first and last - foams or gels are used for cleansing, creams and oils are used for moisturizing, then what should be used for the second? Tonics are especially popular.

Tonic is a tonic and removes the remnants of cosmetics, “fatigue” from the face.

Many people ask the question - is it necessary to use a tonic? In order to deal with this issue, you need to analyze the features and benefits of the tonic, how it is useful.

The benefits of tonic are that it:

• Neutralizes the effect of water on the skin;
• Restores the natural water balance of the skin;
• Eliminates redness, irritation;
• Acts as an antiseptic and antioxidant;
• Slows down the aging process
• Removes makeup residue

It also has a number of features, including in application:

• A tonic is applied from the middle of the face to the periphery - along the massage lines.
• If you apply the tonic with your fingertips, knocking it into the skin, it will be absorbed faster; also cotton particles contribute to the premature appearance of mimic wrinkles. And girls with thin or sensitive skin should stop at tonics in sprays.

The choice in our stores is simply huge - your eyes run wide. Imagine - you came to a cosmetics store for a cleanser and tonic, go to the corresponding stand - and just don't know what to choose. Lotions, tonics, toners… what is the difference, differences, what is right for you? Of course, you can call a consultant at any second, but isn't it better to know everything yourself?

So, the difference between lotion and tonic is almost insignificant, but, nevertheless, it is. Lotions are primarily cleansers that dissolve impurities and makeup. By properties, they are similar to makeup remover milk and go immediately after proper washing. And tonics are an intermediate step between cleansing and moisturizing. As a rule, they are used after lotion and prepare the skin for further care - applying cream or serum, fluid. The lotion washes off makeup, and the tonic, as the name suggests, tones the skin and makes it fresher.

There is also such a thing as toner. It is much less popular with us, as it belongs to Asian cosmetics, but this does not take away its positive features. Toner is a cross between a cream and a tonic. It has a less runny or gel-like consistency and is applied with the palms of the hands or worked in with the fingertips as a fluid or primer. As a rule, it is used for mature or dry skin, as it also has moisturizing properties by default. It additionally nourishes the skin and is applied to a cleansed face.

Tonics are divided by purpose into:

• Cleansing tonic. It is used to remove make-up (from the skin of the face, from the eyelashes), after washing and lotion. It has a pronounced antibacterial effect.

• Refreshing. Evens out skin tone, tones and gives the face freshness.

• Anti-aging. A pronounced anti-aging effect due to the presence of hyaluronic acid and retinol. Will act only in combination with other anti-aging products - preferably from the same line.

• Moisturizing, or tonic-comfort. Fights irritation, dryness and tightness, saturates the skin with vitamins.

• Mattifying. An indispensable tool for oily, problematic or combination skin. Closes pores after cleansing and controls the sebaceous glands.

• Astringent. It has an antiseptic effect, controls oiliness of the skin. An enhanced version of the mattifier, as a rule, includes green tea.

• Absorbent. Saturates the skin with oxygen and soothes inflammation, has a matting effect. Requires the mandatory use of a cream.

• Bleaching. Fights pimples and post-acne. It is used only at night and with sunscreen, because direct contact with the sun can cause age spots.

• Exfoliating tonic or exfoliating. Designed to improve complexion by exfoliating dead skin cells. It is similar in action to whitening, includes AHA and BHA acids, retinol and is also used only at night.

• Anticouperose. Prevents the appearance of a vascular network and dilated capillaries. For such skin problems, only an anti-couperose tonic or for sensitive skin should be used.

• Hydrolat or flower water. A natural bio-tonic made from flower petals (eg rose petal water) or citrus extracts. Suitable for make-up removal and post-cleansing care; suitable for any type of skin, the main thing is to choose the right composition.

By way of use:

• Powder tonic. The perfect solution for matte skin without foundation or regular powder. As a rule, it has the appearance of a white liquid and is applied with a cotton pad to cleansed facial skin. Designed to tighten pores and control the work of the sebaceous glands.
• Body tonic. May have a moisturizing, nourishing or cleansing effect.
• Softner. The brainchild of Japanese cosmetics. Excellent conductors for moisturizer and more effective than conventional toners. They have a gel-like consistency and are somewhat similar to serum. Apply with fingertips.
• tonic spray, or tonic in a spray bottle. It can have both whitening and moisturizing effect.
• Tonic lotion. It is in a jar or tube with a twist-off or cotton-closing lid. Similar to micellar water.

Of course, first of all, tonics, like your favorite cosmetics, are distinguished by active ingredients. Each ingredient has a different effect on the skin of different types - that is why, in order to choose the ideally correct, suitable product, you need to carefully study the composition of each bottle and do not ignore the labels.

For example, face cosmetics without alcohol and parabens are better than with their presence. This is explained by:

• alcohol dries out the epidermis - and in the case of daily use, it can simply dry it out, cause dehydration, irritation and peeling, premature wrinkles and reduce susceptibility to the sun and frost;
• parabens are allergic, accumulate in the skin and thereby prevent it from breathing. It is also worth saying that alcohol in cosmetics is designated as Alcohol, Ethanol, and if it is in the last places in the composition, then it is completely harmless, but if your skin is prone to dryness, then opt for alcohol-free cosmetics.

Speaking of tonic for dry skin - then, of course, it should moisturize and nourish it. Herbal tonic is ideal here - with the addition of extracts of chamomile, almonds, as well as oatmeal or parsley; from oils, apricot, peach, grapes, calendula can be distinguished. You can pay attention to tonics with cornflower on the package or rose petals, honey tonic or royal jelly. Ideally, it should contain lipids, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), panthenol (vitamin B5), and urea.

Means for oily or combination, mixed skin, first of all, it should close the pores, prevent the formation of sebum and the hated oily sheen on the surface. Disinfect and moisturize - because if you overdry oily skin, it will release twice as much fat. This is best done with mint tonic or green tea, chamomile and cucumber, bay leaf, calendula.

Additional components may be tea tree, lemon, aloe and eucalyptus. Don't be afraid of AHA and BHA acids - they exfoliate the upper layer of the epidermis, narrow pores and matte, but tonics with them in the composition should be used two to three times a week. AHA acids are malic, lactic, glycolic and citric, and there is only one BHA acid in cosmetics - salicylic. Alcohol in the composition may be present in the amount of 5%.

A good option for problem skin is camphor tonic - with the addition of camphor tree essential oil.

A universal option can be called a thermal water tonic - calcium, magnesium, iron in the composition speak for themselves. It is he who is also preferred by happy owners of a normal skin type. Thermal water refreshes and gives elasticity, softness, prolongs the durability of makeup.

In this case, a couple of drops of the oil mixture are applied to a cotton pad moistened with warm water, and the face is wiped. This procedure is best done at night, and in the morning to wash in the usual way. In addition to castor oil, you can use any other nutrient.

It is also worth talking separately about the male tonic. As a general rule, men can use toner after shaving to soothe sensitive or irritated skin.

After a thorough study of all types of tonics, you can go directly to the choice. However, for this you need to know one more important information - what type of skin which tonic is suitable for. As a rule, everything is written on the package at once - for mature skin, normal, dry, oily, combination or problematic. But sometimes it happens that the manufacturer does not indicate this very important information. It is at such moments that you need to read the recommendations and the active ingredients, the composition - on the label itself. Therefore, the first point will be to determine your own skin type.

For dry skin you need tonics without alcohol or with a low content of it (it should be in the last places in the composition or it should not be at all). Floral hydrosols and thermal water are perfect - you can buy it at least in a pharmacy.

For normal skin need tonics with a refreshing and cleansing effect - with the addition of fruit (ANA) acids. Owners of oily, combination or problem skin should also look at AHA acids, as well as salicylic acid. By the way, a salicylic tonic bought at a pharmacy can be an excellent replacement for expensive face products for teenagers and not only. For oily skin, tonics with a high alcohol content are also not recommended, the ideal “ingredients” here are essential oils and acids that close pores and regulate oily sheen.

For mature skin you should choose a soft and tightening agent with a lifting effect. The main components here are hyaluronic acid, vitamins A and E.

As for the packaging and method of use, manufacturers actively use two bottles - with a dispenser or a spray bottle. The first, as a rule, is used in tandem with a cotton pad - they wipe the face, dipped in tonic, and the second simply splashes onto the skin. Choose what is more convenient for you.

Also, when choosing a product, pay attention to the smell - the fragrance can cause allergies, like artificial dyes. A quality tonic should be clear or a muted, natural herbal color. If possible, ask a consultant for a tester.

Before using the tonic, you need to cleanse the skin.With a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover milk or lotion, rub over the skin, paying special attention to the lips, if they are made up, and mascara or eyeliner on the eyes, rinse with warm water. Makeup remover wipes can replace milk. After squeezing a drop or two of your usual daily cleanser onto a special silicone sponge or just into the palm of your hand and, lathering well, apply to a damp face with massaging movements, keep on the skin for a minute or two. Also rinse - and now it's time for the tonic.

Sprinkle the cleansed face with tonic a couple of times if the package is equipped with a spray bottle, or apply a few drops on a clean cotton pad and wipe the face skin for about a minute from the center to the periphery. You can pay attention to the décolleté and neck area. If the instructions suggest a different use, follow the instructions. You should not use tonic too often - in the morning after washing and before day cream, before night cream and literally once or twice during the day in order to refresh the skin. The final stage is moisturizing the skin with an appropriate cream or oil, serum.

Especially for you, we have created a list of those companies that you definitely should pay attention to when choosing a facial tonic. The rating includes both budget funds from the mass market and not very cheap ones.

A product from the Paraben free series for girls with dry and irritated skin. Cleans carefully. The skin becomes smooth and refreshed. The main active ingredient - ash juice - deeply nourishes the skin. Works great with the cleansing gel from the same series.

Cost: about 400 rubles per 200 ml.

Natura Siberica is one of the few natural cosmetic companies in Russia, which is also highly valued abroad. There is no alcohol in this tonic for oily and combination skin - it is not at all; the role of an antiseptic is performed by green tea and chamomile, sage and oregano, moreover, they also fight black spots and open pores. Gives a matte finish to the skin.

Cost: about 400 rudders per 200 ml.

It attracts with its composition - French rose, elderberry extract and not a drop of alcohol. Suitable for any skin type. Restores the water balance of the skin and evens out its tone, cleans the pores well. However, the packaging is not very convenient - if possible, we recommend pouring it into another container with a smaller opening.

Cost: more than 1000 rubles per 200 ml.

Another of the representatives of natural budget cosmetics on the Russian market is Green Mom. It cannot be attributed to completely organic cosmetics - for example, alcohol is also found, although in acceptable doses, but the manufacturer does not skimp on natural ingredients. A series of tonics suitable for different skin types: "Strawberry and string" for normal and dry, "Sea Garden" for oily and combination, and "Cowberry and celandine" for problematic and oily. Much less common are the balancing "Orange Blossom and Acerola" and the cleansing "Olive and Pomegranate"

Cost: about 150 rubles per 300 ml.

Ideal for oily and combination skin. It dries up inflammation, tightens pores and lightens blackheads a little. The composition is not the most pleasant, but the matting effect is good. Feels cool and refreshing.

Cost: about 200-300 rubles per 200 ml.

Many girls, when buying any face or hair product, are guided by the promises of manufacturers - which is fundamentally wrong. A rare company will write the whole truth about its product. The only thing you should pay attention to specifically on the label is the composition and for what type it is suitable. Do not be afraid to discuss the issue of choosing cosmetics with friends or acquaintances, consultants in stores. If you want to know a real, honest, true opinion about a product, be guided by the reviews of other users and cosmetologists' blogs, by the ratings of certain products on websites.

Compiling the rating of the best tonics, located a little higher, we, first of all, were guided by the opinions of ordinary girls and their reviews. But it is worth highlighting one professional point - not all ladies "go" tonics. If you feel that this remedy does not suit you - it dries the skin too much, clogs the pores or provokes acne, do not torture yourself. Swap it out for another product, or look at toners or lotions.

In tonics, customers appreciate, first of all, the fulfillment of promises from the label. It is written - matting, which means it should matte well, otherwise why is it needed at all? The tonic should cleanse and not provoke inflammation and peeling, not clog pores and gently cleanse.

An overview of facial tonics from popular brands in the next video.