Facial Toners: The Rock Stars of Skin Care

Photo by Christopher Dube

Wavves

I'm a proud resident of Eagle Rock, California--a diverse northeastern neighborhood of Los Angeles. It's named after a massive boulder located on the perimeter of the community that features a naturally carved indentation that casts a bird-shaped shadow. Over the years, several notable musicians have called this area their home--Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine, Zac Baird of Korn and Scott Shriner of Weezer. 

Our newest neighbor, Nathan Williams, plays guitar and fronts for indie rock group Wavves. He recently appeared on the July/August issue of Spin magazine with his girlfriend Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast. After meeting him, it got me thinking about rave reviews, groupies... and skin care.  

Wait, what? As odd as the connection may sound, I've always considered facial toners the rock stars of skin care. They don't have the look or feel of cleansers, serums/moisturizers or sunscreens, so screaming fans often allude them. However, you'll soon become a groupie after experiencing their healing benefits. Not only do they prepare your skin for better product penetration, but the also remove oil and dirt to reduce inflammation and acne breakouts, and revitalize the surface of your face for a more luminous appearance. 

We give the following toners rave reviews. With their help, you'll be rocking radiant skin in no time.

SHINE: Abrioné by VB Cosmetics Vanishing Point 5. BEAUTY: Beta and alpha hydroxy acids slough dead skin cells and keep the new ones hydrated. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Clarifying Toner. BEAUTY: Penetrate pores and prevent the risk of future breakouts with salicylic acid, and witch hazel leaf and lemongrass extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and petrochemicals. Supports Habitat for Humanity. 

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant The Socializer Daily Tone Gel Toner. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice and hyaluronic acid help remove subsurface dirt without over drying the skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Children's Diabetes Foundation, Hollyrod Foundation and World Wildlife Fund.

SHINE: June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Toner. BEAUTY: Neutralize free radicals and soothe the skin with green tea, cucumber and goji berry extracts. BEACON: Contains no parabens, preservatives, petrochemicals, sulfates, or synthetic dyes and fragrances.

SHINE: L'Occitane Immortelle Essential Water. BEAUTY: Green tea extract and vitamin E help soften and smooth skin. BEACON: Supports L'Occitane Foundation.

SHINE: Pevonia Hydrating Toner. BEAUTY: Protect and nourish skin with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and marine algae extracts. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Refineé Soothing Floral Toner. BEAUTY: Vitamins A, C and E, and pomegranate, witch hazel leaf and green tea extracts minimize irritation and dryness. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

SHINE: SkinCeuticals Equalizing Toner. BEAUTY: Remove residue and restore the skin's protective pH mantle with glycolic acid, aloe vera gel and witch hazel extract. BEACON: Supports the Melanoma Research Alliance.

SHINE: Sumbody Facial Toner and Acne Toner. BEAUTY: The facial toner utilizes alpha lipoic acid to provide anti-bacterial benefits, while the acne toner features witch hazel and peppermint to refresh the skin. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates and artificial preservatives. 

SHINE: Vitaphenol Anti-Aging Toiner. BEAUTY: Balance and brighten skin tone with glycolic acid, and green and white tea leaf and pomegranate extracts. BEACON: No animal testing.