We all know that a cleanser cleanses the skin. A moisturizer, well, moisturizes the skin (amongst other things). But what does a toner do? Provide sleek defined muscle lines to your face? It seems many people don't know or have misconstrued thoughts on the function of a toner.
While searching for something else today, I came across a Q&A on a Yahoo message board that was totally inaccurate. As one dedicated to empowering people to take better care of their skin, I felt obliged to clear this matter up immediately…
*quote*
Q: What does a toner do?
A: It improves the skin’s firmness…or so the beauty industry says.
*unquote*
This is completely incorrect.
First, let me clarify that we are not talking the black powder that fills your printer, we are talking the liquid that is applied to your face after cleansing.
While certain toners may include ingredients which they claim will help firm your skin (debatable), the real/main function of a toner is to restore the pH balance of your skin after cleansing.
Skin averages a pH balance of 4.5 - 5.5 in order to protect from outside elements (bacteria, toxins, dirt, pollution, allergies, etc.). For those of you that know your pH scale, this means that skin is a little on the acidic side (water is pH 7.0 and is considered pH neutral).
Your skin usually maintains it’s pH balance naturally through perspiration, sebum (fatty secretions), & hormones.
Most soaps (with average pH of 9.5 – 10) & water off-set the pH balance of your skin by wiping off what is known as your skin’s natural ‘acidic shield’. If you use a washcloth, the majority of laundry detergents have a pH balance of 10 – 12, which is not fully eliminated in the rinse cycle & leaves alkaline residue behind…which affects your skin as well. After cleansing, skin can take between 2 hours (for the fastest) up to 36 hours (for sensitive skin) to naturally restore its pH balance. During this time, your skin can be more vulnerable to the damaging elements previously listed above.
Another benefit of toner is that it also picks up any dirt & grime that your cleanser didn’t get. This is sometimes how I know if a new cleanser really works or not (i.e. how much dirt is on my cotton pad after I tone).
Restoring pH balance also helps your skin accept all serums & moisturizers better, meaning that they will perform better too.
This, my friends, is the job description of a skin toner. Any questions?
Showing posts with label skin care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skin care. Show all posts
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Kitchen Aid
Is your skin feeling a bit dry after too much sun? Reach into your cupboard and grab the bottle of Safflower oil. Yes, safflower oil. No, we aren’t going to make salad dressing, we are going to give your skin back moisture by applying it directly to our skin (sans vinegar & seasonings).
Safflower oil is high in linoleic acid which our bodies usually produce on their own to keep our skin moisturized. However, as with everything else, production slows as we get older.
Safflower oil is odorless (unless you’ve kept it in the cupboard too long & it’s gone rancid…don’t use it in this case), colorless, and best of all, cheap!
It’s great for the whole body, use it anywhere you need some moisture. Just be sure that you don’t need to rush off in a New York minute after you’ve applied, as it does take a little longer to absorb into your skin (it is an oil after all). You can even apply it (lightly) to your face (avoiding your eye area) if you feel the need for some extra moisture. Apply after cleansing, toning & serums, but before your moisturizer.
Olive oil is also high in linoleic acid, but last time I checked, most folks are not attracted to people who smell like salad. Be kind to your neighbors (& yourself) & go with safflower oil.
By the way, this works wonders in winter too when skin is in need of relief from dry, aching, flakiness…and much cheaper than all those expensive lotions.
Oh, and don’t forget to add sun protection before you go out the door... you know what oil does in the frying pan…
Safflower oil is high in linoleic acid which our bodies usually produce on their own to keep our skin moisturized. However, as with everything else, production slows as we get older.
Safflower oil is odorless (unless you’ve kept it in the cupboard too long & it’s gone rancid…don’t use it in this case), colorless, and best of all, cheap!
It’s great for the whole body, use it anywhere you need some moisture. Just be sure that you don’t need to rush off in a New York minute after you’ve applied, as it does take a little longer to absorb into your skin (it is an oil after all). You can even apply it (lightly) to your face (avoiding your eye area) if you feel the need for some extra moisture. Apply after cleansing, toning & serums, but before your moisturizer.
Olive oil is also high in linoleic acid, but last time I checked, most folks are not attracted to people who smell like salad. Be kind to your neighbors (& yourself) & go with safflower oil.
By the way, this works wonders in winter too when skin is in need of relief from dry, aching, flakiness…and much cheaper than all those expensive lotions.
Oh, and don’t forget to add sun protection before you go out the door... you know what oil does in the frying pan…
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Newest Anti-Aging Miracle
The Fountain of Youth? Miracle in a bottle?
Or the wonders of modern technology??
Well, whether it’s skin science or hype, the English are getting in line to find out. Retailers in the U.K. can’t keep Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum in stock. It claims to produce younger looking skin in 4 weeks. 4 weeks to younger skin? I’m in!
The product was featured on the BBC’s Horizon science program (or at the English say, programme) as having been “scientifically proved that it repairs photo-aged skin and improves the fine wrinkles associated with photo-ageing.” (http://www.boots.com/) Photo-aged skin, for those of you that don’t know means (mostly) sun damage (the leading cause of wrinkles/ aging in the majority of the population of humankind).
Can you imagine? Every British woman over 20 who watched that episode of Horizon must have been in line at the Boots Pharmacy 20 minutes later. I wonder if there are any statistics for traffic following such revelations.
According to an article I found at http://www.earthtimes.org/ Boots sold 160,000 bottles of the new ‘potion’ in one weekend, and has had to limit customers to 1 bottle per person. They even handed out tickets to women in line to reserve product. I’m picturing mobs like for the Nintendo Wii release.
The No.7 serum claims to do what all it's competition does…smoothes lines & wrinkles, as well as reducing appearance of pores using all the usual…anti-oxidants, pro-retinol, etc. What makes it different? I can’t really seem to figure it out... except that it's been scientifically proven.
Anyone have any further news? Any speculations?
Did I mention that it’s less than $40? Approx $33 to be exact (I know, oxymoron… but we are talking fluctuating rates here, friends). Who knew the fountain of youth was going to be so cheap?
The only problem seems to be that the company can only manufacture 20,000 bottles/week. With demand so great in the UK, when oh when will we see it here in the U.S.? So, I’m currently taking donations for a flight to London ;)…I’ll even bring you back one too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
