Current Favourite Toners

In last Tuesday's beauty chat I talked about my current favourite cleansers - read that post here - and decided to make it into a little series, so here's the next instalment focusing on the next step after I cleanse in the mornings and evenings; my current favourite toners. A few years ago I thought that toning was an unnecessary 'extra' in my regime, but now it's a step that I rarely ever skip as I feel it prepares the skin for your moisturiser, serum or oil.

Starting with the best affordable toner I've ever used we have the L'Oreal Age Perfect Refreshing Smoothing Toner (£4.49), which I took to university as it smelt like home! My mum uses this and after borrowing hers I fell in love, ignored the 'Age Perfect' part and have been repurchasing ever since. I saw skincare queen Caroline Hirons recommend it on her blog, saying "very refreshing and leaves the skin soft and smooth... if you're on a budget, this is for you" - read the full post here - which confirmed it as a winner. They've since redesigned the packaging, but the product is still the same. Personally I don't mind using an age-related product, but their Skin Perfection Velvety-Soft Toner (£3.99) looks like a good option for younger skin, so I'll try it out and will report back soon.

If you're willing to spend more on your toner, Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment Lotion (£20) is my favourite by far and the one that I would recommend most to my nearest and dearest. I currently have a cute little diddy bottle that came in an Origins gift set full of minis, but despite being 50ml compared to the 150ml full-size version it's still going strong months later and I love it even more every time I use it. It's packed full of moisturising Rose of Jericho - does that remind anyone else of the WWF/WWE wrestler? Just me? Okay then! - and a hydrating lychee and watermelon complex that not only smells divine but leaves my skin feeling plump and refreshed. I definitely know why they put 'treatment' in the name, as it feels ultra pampering and luxe.

One that I strictly save for extra-oily skin days when I look as if you could fry an egg on my forehead is the Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 (£16.50). I rarely use this as it can feel quite stripping and the scent reminds me a little of this horrid bright blue Clean & Clear number that I used in my early teens which smelt of nail polish remover; my poor face. Anyway, my skin changes throughout the month and a combination of this toner and a clay-based mask are the only things that help to combat the unattractive shine that takes over.

Back to gentle cleansers now, the Simple Kind To Skin Soothing Facial Toner (£3.29) is one that I picked up on a trip after forgetting to pack a toner and although it's nothing fancy, it gets the job done without any fuss or frills and never irritates my skin. Job done!

Another Caroline Hirons recommendation that "should be in everyone's arsenal" is the beautiful Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner (£25), which contains alpha hydroxy acid (AHAs) to softly exfoliate the skin's surface and reveal softer, brighter skin. I used to plonk this onto a cotton pad and sweep it over my face regularly but as I'm running low and it's rather expensive, I now save said plonking and sweeping for special occasions - e.g. I'm going out and want to look extra radiant, I'm fake tanning (a rare occurrence, but still) and need a smooth base to work on - etc, etc. It's a true gem and you all need it!

I've just finished the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (£13.25) too - if you're after something soothing and non-drying, this is lovely. On my wishlist are the Pixi Glow Tonic, the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist and the REN Clarimatte Clarifying Toner.

Which toner(s) are you loving at the moment?

Meg

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Any items marked with an (*) were gifted to me. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own and honest - please see my full disclaimer here for more information.