Toner for Acne: Benefits, Effectiveness and How to Choose the Best One

• Toners for acne help remove oil and impurities from the skin, preventing pores from becoming clogged.
• Some toners may also provide anti-inflammatory benefits and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
• Ingredients such as glycolic acid, witch hazel and salicylic acid are often used in toners for acne.
• DIY toners to treat acne can be made using natural ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar.

Toners are formulated to clear away any remaining oil and residue left on your face after cleansing and can be especially useful if you are looking to treat acne-prone skin. Toners that are specifically formulated to treat acne help to clear out clogged pores, reduce inflammation and prevent further breakouts by removing excess oil from the skin. 

Can Toner Clear Acne?

Acne breakouts occur due to excess oil and skin debris clogging the pores. Toners formulated to treat acne-prone skin help to clear out blocked pores by using ingredients such as salicylic acid. to reach deep within pores to dissolve this buildup, 

What about acne scars?

Some toners contain active ingredients that help to reduce the appearance of scarring and textural irregularities caused by acne, such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). For example, glycolic and lactic acid are AHAs that work by sloughing away dead skin cells and promoting the regeneration of cells.

Can toner prevent acne breakouts?

By clearing away excess oils, toners can help prevent your pores from becoming clogged. As a result, you’ll be less likely to experience blackheads and pimples if you use a toner as part of your daily skin care routine.

How to Pick a Toner for Acne-Prone Skin

While acne is often associated with having oily skin, it can actually occur with any skin type. It is therefore important to choose the correct toner depending on your skin’s needs; dry and sensitive skin requires gentler ingredients to prevent irritation, while those with oilier skin can typically tolerate toners with stronger ingredients.

There are three main types of toners: bracers, tonics and astringents. Typically, astringents are best suited to treating acne, although bracers and tonics may be useful if you also suffer from dry or sensitive skin.

It is important to recognize the different types of toner, so you can choose a product that will benefit your individual skin type.

Toner types

Bracers

Bracers are the mildest form of toner, containing soothing ingredients such as chamomile and rose water to refresh your skin.

If you have dry or sensitive acne-prone skin, bracers will gently cleanse away any impurities from the skin that may otherwise lead to acne breakouts.

Tonics

Tonics contain slightly stronger ingredients than bracers, making them more suitable for normal or combination skin types who suffer from acne. They often contain a low concentration of alcohol to treat acne by removing excess oil from the skin, and preventing pores from becoming clogged.

Astringents

Astringent toners are most commonly used to treat acne symptoms. They are best suited to those with naturally oily skin, containing high concentrations of astringent ingredients to clear away oils and impurities.

Astringents are effective in removing excess oiliness and reducing the appearance of pores, however, they can be too drying if you have sensitive or dry skin. 

Ingredients

While the ingredients used within toners will also vary between products, there are several that are widely used to treat acne symptoms due to their potent effects.

By understanding how these ingredients work, you’ll be able to choose the right toner for your needs.

Ingredient	How it works
Glycolic acid	As an AHA, it is effective in reducing the appearance of acne scarring and texture irregularities due to its keratolytic properties.
Lactic acid	An alternative AHA that is more hydrating and gentler on skin than glycolic acid, making it a safer choice if you have a sensitive or dry skin type.
Salicylic acid	A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates dead skin cells, improving skin texture for a variety of conditions including acne and photoaging. It also helps to dissolve buildup within clogged pores.
Apple cider vinegar	A natural astringent that potentially offers antibacterial benefits while also helping to clear away excess oil and debris from the skin.
Witch hazel	An alternative natural astringent that may also be used to reduce inflammation when applied topically.

DIY Toners for Acne-Prone Skin

DIY toners are an alternative to commercial toners for treating acne. These simple recipes can be made using just a few natural ingredients, such as witch hazel or apple cider vinegar. DIY toners can be an inexpensive option that focuses on using natural ingredients without any unnecessary additives. 

Always follow the guidelines when making your own toners, as they can harm or irritate skin if the recommended concentrations are not respected.

Takeaway

Toners are an effective treatment for acne when used in your daily skin care routine. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid and apple cider vinegar are commonly used to treat a variety of acne symptoms, including excess oil, scarring and inflammation.