Glow Recipe founders and beauty industry veterans Sarah Lee and Christine Chang gives us the lowdown on the benefits of using toners, how to choose the best type for our skin and the proper way to use them
Toners are our best friend. With Hong Kong's pollution and humidity, we need toners to remove any traces of dirt and impurities in our pores, even after washing our face. When we use it regularly, it can have great effects on our skin, especially on tightening our pores to achieve youthful-looking skin.
But toners can be tricky too because there's a lot of varieties and brands and it's difficult to choose which one suits our skin best. Keen to know more about toners? You're in the right place.
We sought the help of beauty industry veterans, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, founders of skincare brand, Glow Recipe to share the benefits of using toners, how to choose the right one and the proper ways to use them. Glow Recipe is inspired by the Korean beauty approach to skincare so you know you're in good hands.
See also: Miranda Kerr On Kora Organics, Her Beauty Secrets And Why We Should Switch To Organic Skincare
What are the benefits of using a toner?
Sarah Lee: Toners are concentrated treatments that provide multiple skincare benefits in one. In the past, we saw toners packed with alcohol and other astringent ingredients and were used primarily to remove residue after cleansing. Modern toners are seen as the first liquid treatment step that not only helps to prep and balance but effectively infuses skin with essential ingredients and nutrients.
Our Watermelon Glow Pore Tight Toner utilises a 360 inside-out pore-refining approach with PHA and oil-soluble BHA, but paired with hydrating hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, and cactus water. This concept was inspired by the Korean Aqua Peel facial. When we would travel to and from South Korea for work, the Aqua Peel Facial was one of the most popular treatments at derm clinics for its ability to refine pores and hydrate at the same time. Inspired by this duality, the Pore Tight Toner provides an equal balance of effective pore-refining PHA & BHA and Hyaluronic Acid with an innovative, "stretchy" texture due to the cactus water base.
See also: How To Treat Dark Circles, According To Skincare Scientist Dr. Barbara Sturm