Can Toner Replace Your Moisturizer? The Truth Revealed

Right off the bat, no! Toner cannot replace moisturizer in your skincare routine. Both these staples serve different purposes for your skin and aren’t interchangeable. On one hand, toner removes makeup residue and other impurities while maintaining your skin’s pH. Whereas a moisturizing formula locks hydration into the skin, soothes inflammation, and strengthens the lipid barrier.  

Keep reading for the difference between toner and moisturizer. By the end of the blog, we also attempt to answer whether a toner is necessary for your skincare rotation. 

What Is A Toner? 

A toner is a skincare formulation you employ after cleansing and right before moisturizing. As discussed earlier, a toner removes SPF, makeup residue, and other impurities from the skin – preparing it for treatments. Based on its ingredients, a toner can be classified as

1. Exfoliating: Infused with AHAs or BHAs, an exfoliating toner removes dead cells and buildup to create a smooth, bright base.

2. Hydrating: Packed with humectants like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerine, a hydrating toner replenishes your skin’s moisture bank.

3. Oil control: Formulated for oily and acne-prone skin, a spritz or two of this toner curbs sebum and minimizes the appearance of pores. 

What Is A Moisturizer?  

Available in the form of a gel, cream, or ointment, a moisturizer seals hydration into the skin.  Ample and regular hydration is indispensable to overall skin health and functionalities. Therefore, regardless of the skin type, a moisturizing formula is non-negotiable in one’s everyday routine.  

A moisturizer also extends the following benefits for your skin.

1. It makes your skin appear soft and smooth: Emollients in a moisturizer fill the gaps between skin cells, making your dermis appear soft and smooth. 

2. Moisturizer hydrates your skin: A moisturizer packed with Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerine binds water molecules to the skin, keeping it hydrated for prolonged periods.

3. Strengthens barrier: Ingredients like Ceramides, Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid boost barrier health, shielding the skin against aggressors, UV rays, and free radicals. 

4. Defers signs of ageing: Active ingredients like Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, and Ceramides in your moisturizer help slow down signs of aging.   

The Difference Between Toner And Moisturizer  

As discussed earlier, both toner and moisturizer serve different purposes in one skincare routine. Here’s how you can distinguish between the two-

1. A toner is used right after cleansing to remove impurities and sebum for a clean, bright base. This formulation preps your skin, ensuring better absorption of your serum or treatment. On the other hand, a moisturizer puts a sturdy lock on your treatment and hydration for better results.

2. A toner is water-based and boasts a medley of astringents, humectants, and/or exfoliating agents depending on its key function. Whereas a moisturizer has 3 main components   

Can Toner Replace Moisturizer? 

No! In the long run, a toner cannot replace moisturizer. As seen earlier, a moisturizer is packed with occlusives that prevent TEWL or transepidermal water loss. Therefore, this formula helps ensure multi-level and long-lasting hydration for your skin – a feat that toner cannot achieve.  

Having said that, oily skin folks can use a toner to curb sebum while ensuring hydration to the skin – during extremely hot and humid climates. 

When And How To Use Toner And Moisturizer Together?  

Here’s how you can use toner and moisturizer together in your skincare routine- \

1. Cleanse first: Start with a gentle, pH-balancing face wash to remove dirt, grime, and other impurities from the pores. If you have dry skin, look for hydrating ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Glycerine in your formula. People with oily skin can look for a Salicylic Acid-based cleanser.

2. Tone: Once your skin is dry, spritz the toner while guarding your eyes. Gently dab the formula into your face, don’t massage it vigorously.

3. Moisturize: Apply a coin-sized amount of your fave moisturizer only a minute after the toner. Massage the formula on your neck and décolletage area too.

4. SPF: Next, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. This step in your routine prevents sunburn, tanning, pigmentation, and premature aging. 

As seen here, both toner and moisturizer have different purposes in one’s skincare. The use of toner doesn’t eliminate the need for a potent moisturizer.

Skin Types And Their Needs  

Based on your skin type, here’s how you can pick a toner and moisturizer

1. For oily skin: Oily skin is characterized by overactive sebaceous glands. This creates a never-ending oil slick on the face, especially on humid days. To counter this problem, use a spritz or two of our Exfoliating Toner. Infused with Niacinamide, this alcohol-free toner minimizes pores and cuts excess sebum for smooth, bright-looking skin all day. Moreover, humectants such as Lactic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid ensure long-lasting hydration for the skin. As far as moisturization is concerned, we recommend a lightweight, gel-based formula like Foxtale’s Oil Free Moisturizer.

2. For dry skin: Folks with dry skin can opt for Foxtale’s Glow Toner + Setting Spray. Packed with Provitamin B5 and Niacinamide, this toner forms a Hydra-film on the dermis. Moreover, Vitamin C helps enhance your skin’s latent radiance. As dry skin loses water molecules drastically, moisturizer is non-negotiable for the skin type. Foxtale’s Hydrating Moisturizer with Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer and Ceramides prevents TEWL for 24 long hours.

3. For sensitive skin: People with sensitive skin should focus on hydration and barrier strengthening. This is why we recommend the Glow Toner for this skin type. Follow this with Foxtale’s Skin Repair Cream which focuses on hydration, nourishment, and healing for the dermis.