Face Toner
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A toner is the step between cleansing and treating. It removes the last traces of cleanser and residue, restores the skin's natural balance after washing, and leaves the surface slightly damp so whatever you apply next absorbs properly. Modern toners are not the stripping, alcohol-heavy formulas of twenty years ago — ours are alcohol-free and work by hydrating rather than degreasing.
Which one you choose comes down to skin type. Hydrating Toning Lotion, with aloe vera and organic fig, moisturises and softens normal to dry skin. Soothing Toning Lotion, rich in organic chamomile, calms very dry or sensitive skin. Purifying Toning Lotion uses meadowsweet and saffron flower extracts to refine the look of pores and rebalance combination to oily skin. My Clarins PURE-RESET Purifying and Matifying Toner is a vegan option for younger skin that shines by midday.
For a more treatment-led step, Bright Plus [ADVANCED] Treatment Essence hydrates and preps while working on evenness and radiance, and Precious La Lotion prepares mature skin to take full advantage of the cream that follows.
Toners work hardest when the steps around them are right. Cleanse first, then tone, then apply your serum and moisturiser.
Which one you choose comes down to skin type. Hydrating Toning Lotion, with aloe vera and organic fig, moisturises and softens normal to dry skin. Soothing Toning Lotion, rich in organic chamomile, calms very dry or sensitive skin. Purifying Toning Lotion uses meadowsweet and saffron flower extracts to refine the look of pores and rebalance combination to oily skin. My Clarins PURE-RESET Purifying and Matifying Toner is a vegan option for younger skin that shines by midday.
For a more treatment-led step, Bright Plus [ADVANCED] Treatment Essence hydrates and preps while working on evenness and radiance, and Precious La Lotion prepares mature skin to take full advantage of the cream that follows.
Toners work hardest when the steps around them are right. Cleanse first, then tone, then apply your serum and moisturiser.
Any questions?
Our experts have the answers.
What does a face toner do?
A toner removes any residue left behind by your cleanser, restores the skin's natural pH after washing, and adds a first light layer of hydration. It also leaves skin slightly damp, which helps the serum or moisturiser applied next absorb more effectively. Think of it as the step that resets the skin and prepares it for everything that follows.
Do I really need a toner?
It is not essential, but it makes the rest of your routine work harder. Cleansing, however gentle, temporarily disturbs the skin's surface; a toner settles it back down and adds hydration before your treatment steps. If your skin feels tight after washing, or if serums seem to sit on the surface rather than sink in, a toner is likely to make a noticeable difference.
Which toner is right for my skin type?
For normal to dry skin, choose a hydrating formula with aloe vera and organic fig. For very dry or sensitive skin, a soothing lotion with organic chamomile calms without stripping. For combination to oily skin, a purifying lotion with meadowsweet and saffron flower helps refine the appearance of pores and control shine. All of our toning lotions are alcohol-free, so none of them will dehydrate your skin.
How do I use a face toner?
After cleansing, apply toner to a cotton pad and sweep it gently across the face and neck, avoiding the eye area. You can also pour a little into your palms and press it into the skin, which uses less product and suits sensitive skin. Do not rinse it off, and apply your serum while the skin is still slightly damp.
Should I use a toner in the morning, at night, or both?
Both, if your skin tolerates it. In the morning a toner refreshes and hydrates before the rest of your routine; in the evening it removes the last of the day's residue after cleansing. If your skin is very dry or reactive, once a day in the evening is enough. Alcohol-free formulas can be used twice daily by most skin types.
What is the difference between a toner and a treatment essence?
A toner rebalances and hydrates. A treatment essence does that too, but carries a higher concentration of active ingredients, so it also works on a specific concern such as radiance or evenness. An essence sits between a toner and a serum in both texture and purpose. Bright Plus [ADVANCED] Treatment Essence is a good example: it preps the skin while enhancing evenness and glow.
Are Clarins toners alcohol-free?
Yes. Our toning lotions are formulated without alcohol, which is why they hydrate rather than strip. Alcohol gives an immediate matte, tightened feeling, but over time it can compromise the skin barrier and prompt oily skin to produce more oil. Plant extracts and hydrating agents achieve the same freshness without that trade-off.
Does toner go before or after serum?
Before. The order is cleanse, tone, serum, moisturiser, then sunscreen in the morning — working from the thinnest texture to the thickest. Toner comes first because it prepares the skin to absorb the serum. Applying it afterwards would simply wipe away part of the product you have just put on.
