I remember when toners were straight-up astringents, full of alcohol or witch hazel. I do not miss those days. The category has evolved into something I never expected. Many of the hydrating, micro-exfoliating, purifying, and glow-boosting formulas I come across are truly impressive.
I test each one on damp skin and dry skin, morning and night, before actives and instead of them, and in half a dozen other real-life scenarios.
This is where I review all of it: hydrating toners, acid toners, essences, milky toners, and facial mists.
Not sure you need both? Find out whether a milky essence beats a toner.
Want a toner that does real work? Here is the Darphin formula that won me back.
The newly launched Celestial Activating Essence from ARCONA takes any knowledge of or experience with the trendy ‘beauty water’ step you think you may have to new levels. This crafty multi-tasker contains ultra-pure and super effective botanical extracts to address…
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What goes on first, an acid toner or an essence? For the longest time, the torment was real. I will admit I am not the most intuitive at layering, and I refuse to drop either liquid step from my routine.…
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Were you to tell me a fragrance hair mist would genuinely excite me, I would have suggested you reconsider. Yet here I am. Completely converted by the diptyque Eau des Sens parfum hair mist, which has become one of my…
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The good news: we are days away from gaining an hour of daylight. The bad news is that despite the gorgeous Spring weather we’ve been having in the New York area this week, another nor’easter is on its way. And,…
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Familiar to most and popularized in Asia as part of their elaborate skincare routine, the concept of an essence is to provide a boost of hydration somewhere between a toner and a serum. Speaking for myself, incorporating this additional ‘essence…
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Entering the very trendy space of acid toners, REN recently launched the Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, which provides yet another option to transform dull to radiant without any downtime. Having completed a solid trial run of the tarte…
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Who needs a toner? Is one necessary to remove the last trace of whatever your cleanser left behind? My cleanser leaves nothing behind, thank you very much. And if yours does, this is why we double cleanse, amirite? Enter K-beauty…
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Alpha-H is the Australian brand that turned glycolic acid into a cult habit, and its Essential Cleansing Balm and Daily Essential Vitamin Mist are the everyday basics built around that reputation. One will always be a little ‘extra’, but essentials…
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