What is tonic?

Of course, every lady chooses skin care for herself. But there are three "whales", without which the skin of any beauty will not be in such perfect condition as she would like. This cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Today we will talk in detail about the most frequently overlooked item - toning. If everything is clear with the first and the last - skins or gels are used for cleansing, cream and oils are used for moisturizing, then what should be used for the second? Tonics are especially popular.

Tonic is a tonic and removes the remnants of cosmetics, "fatigue" from the face means.

Many are wondering - is it necessary to use a tonic? In order to deal with this issue, you need to make out the features and advantages of the tonic, than it is useful.

The advantages of tonic are that it:

• Neutralizes the effects of water on the skin;
• Restores the natural water balance of the skin;
• Eliminates redness, irritation;
• Acts as an antiseptic and antioxidant;
• Slows down the aging process
• Removes the remnants of cosmetics

He also has a number of features, including in the application:

• Apply a tonic from the middle of the face to the periphery - along the massage lines.
• If you apply the tonic with your fingertips, knocking it into the skin, it will be absorbed faster; also cotton particles contribute to the premature appearance of mimic wrinkles. And girls with thin or sensitive skin should stay on tonic spray.

The choice in our stores is huge - your eyes diverge. Imagine - you came to the cosmetics shop for a cleansing and tonic remedy, go to the appropriate stand - and just don’t know what to choose. Lotions, tonics, toners ... what's the difference, the differences, what is right for you? Of course, at any second you can call a consultant, but is it not better to know everything yourself?

So, the differences between lotion and tonic are almost insignificant, but, nevertheless, it is. Lotions are primarily cleansing agents that dissolve impurities and makeup. According to the properties, they are like milk for removing makeup and go immediately after proper washing. A tonics - an intermediate stage between cleansing and moisturizing. As a rule, they are used after the lotion and prepare the skin for further care - applying cream or serum, fluid. The lotion washes away the makeup, and the tonic, as the name implies, tones the skin and makes it fresher.

There is also such a thing as toner. It is much less popular with us, as it relates to Asian cosmetics, but this does not take away its positive features. Toner - what is the average between cream and tonic. It has a less liquid or gel-like consistency and is applied with the palms of your fingers or driven in with your fingertips as a fluid or primer. As a rule, it is used for mature or dry skin, as by default it also has moisturizing properties. It additionally nourishes the skin and is applied to a cleansed face.

Tonics are divided by purpose into:

• Cleansing tonic Used to remove makeup (from the skin of the face, from the eyelashes), after washing and lotion. It has a pronounced antibacterial effect.

• Refreshing. It evens skin tone, tones and gives the face freshness.

• Rejuvenating Pronounced anti-aging effect due to the presence of hyaluronic acid and retinol. It will act only in conjunction with other anti-aging means - preferably from the same line.

• Moisturizing, or tonic comfort. Fights irritation, dryness and tightness, nourishes the skin with vitamins.

• Matting An indispensable tool for oily, problem or combination skin.It closes the pores after cleansing and controls the sebaceous glands.

• Astringent. It has an antiseptic effect, controls the oily skin. The reinforced version of the matting, as a rule, includes green tea.

• Absorbent. It nourishes the skin with oxygen and soothes inflammation, has a mattifying effect. Requires mandatory use of cream.

• Bleaching. Fights acne and post-acne. It is used only at night and with sunscreen, because it can cause pigmentation in direct contact with the sun.

• Tonic exfoliant, or exfoliating. Designed to improve the complexion due to exfoliation of dead skin cells. The action is similar to bleaching, includes ANA and BHA-acid, retinol and is also used only for the night.

• Antikuperozny. Interferes with emergence of a vascular reticulum and expanded capillaries. For such skin problems, use only an anti-couperose tonic or for sensitive skin.

• Hydrolat or flower water. Natural bio-tonic from flower petals (for example, rose water from rose petals) or citrus extracts. Suitable for makeup removal and post-cleansing care; suitable for any skin type, the main thing is to choose a suitable composition.

By way of use:

• Tonic powder. The ideal solution for dull skin without tonal means or regular powder. As a rule, it has the appearance of a white liquid and is applied with a cotton pad to cleansed skin of the face. It is designed to tighten pores and control the work of the sebaceous glands.
• Body tonic May have a moisturizing, nourishing or cleansing effect.
• Softner The brainchild of Japanese cosmetics. Excellent conductors for moisturizer and more effective than ordinary tonics. They have a gel-like consistency and resemble something like serum. Apply with your fingertips.
• Tonic spray or a tonic in a spray can. May have both whitening and moisturizing effects.
• Tonic lotion. Located in a jar or tube with a lid unscrewing or closing on cotton. Similar to micellar water.

Of course, first of all, tonics, like favorite cosmetics, are distinguished by active ingredients. Each ingredient has a different effect on the skin of different types - that is why, in order to choose the perfect, suitable product, you need to carefully study the composition of each bottle and not ignore the labels on the label.

For example, cosmetics for the face without alcohol and parabens are better than with their presence. This is explained by:

• alcohol dries the epidermis - in the case of daily use, it can simply overdry it, cause dehydration, irritation and flaking, premature appearance of wrinkles and reduce susceptibility to sun and frost;
• parabens are allergic, accumulate in the skin and thus do not allow it to breathe. It is also worth saying that alcohol in cosmetics is referred to as Alcohol, Ethanol, and if it is in last place in the composition, then it is completely harmless, but if your skin is prone to dryness, then choose alcohol-free cosmetics.

If we talk about tonic for dry skin - that, undoubtedly, it should moisten and feed it. Herbal tonic is ideal here - with the addition of chamomile, almond, oatmeal or parsley extracts; from oils can be distinguished apricot, peach, grapes, calendula. You can pay attention to the tonic with cornflower on the package or rose petals, honey tonic or royal jelly. Ideally, it should contain lipids, vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), panthenol (vitamin B5) and urea.

Means for oily or combination, mixed skin, first of all, it should close the pores, prevent the formation of sebum and the hated oily shine on the surface. To disinfect and moisturize - because if you dry out oily skin, it will secrete twice as much fat. Mint tonic or from green tea, chamomile and cucumber, from a bay leaf, with a calendula is best with this.

Additional components can be tea tree, lemon, aloe and eucalyptus. Do not be afraid of ANA and BHA acids - they peel off the top layer of the epidermis, tighten pores and mate, but tonic with them in the composition should be used two or three times a week. AHA-acids - malic, lactic, glycolic and citric, and BHA-acid in cosmetics is only one - salicylic. Alcohol in the composition can be present in the amount of 5%.

A good option for problem skin is camphor tonic - with the addition of essential oil of camphor wood.

A universal option can be called a tonic on thermal water - calcium, magnesium, iron in the composition speak for themselves. It is he who is preferred also by happy owners of normal skin type. Thermal water refreshes and gives elasticity, softness, prolongs the makeup resistance.

In this case, a couple of drops of the oil mixture is applied to a cotton pad soaked in warm water and the face is wiped off. This procedure is best done at night, and in the morning to wash in the usual way. In addition to castor oil, you can use any other nutrient.

Also it is necessary to talk separately about the male tonic. As a rule, men can use tonic after shaving - in order to soothe sensitive or irritated skin.

After careful study of all types of tonics, you can go directly to the choice. However, for this you need to know another important information - what type of skin which tonic is suitable. As a rule, everything is immediately written on the package - for mature skin, normal, dry, oily, combination or problem. But sometimes it happens that the manufacturer does not indicate this very important information. It is at such moments that you need to read the recommendations and the operating components, the composition is on the label itself. Therefore, the first item will be the definition of your own skin type.

For dry skin need tonics without alcohol or with its low content (it should be on the last places in the composition or it should not be at all). Floral hydrolates and thermal water are perfect - you can buy it even at the pharmacy.

For normal skin need tonics with a refreshing and cleansing effect - with the addition of fruit (AHA) acids. Owners of oily, combination or problem skin should also look at ANA acids, as well as salicylic acid. By the way, a tonic with salicylic purchased in a pharmacy can be an excellent substitute for expensive facial care products for teenagers and not only. Tonics with a high alcohol content are also not recommended for oily skin; the ideal “ingredients” here are essential oils and acids that cover the pores and regulate the shine.

For mature skin You should choose a soft and tightening tool with a lifting effect. The main components here are hyaluronic acid, vitamins A and E.

As for the packaging and method of use, the manufacturers are actively using two bottles - with a dispenser or spray. The first, as a rule, is used in a tandem with a wadded disk - the face is wiped with a wetted tonic, and the second is simply sprayed onto the skin. Choose what is more convenient for you.

Also, when choosing a product, pay attention to the smell - perfume can cause allergies, as well as artificial colors. A quality tonic should be transparent or muted, natural herbal in color. If possible, ask the consultant for a tester.

Before using tonic need to clean the skin. A cotton pad, soaked with makeup remover milk or lotion should be placed on the skin, paying special attention to the lips, if they are made up, and the carcass or eyeliner, wash off with warm water. Replace milk can wipes for removing makeup. After squeezing a drop or two of your usual everyday cleanser on a special silicone sponge or just on the palm and, foaming well, apply on a wet face with massaging movements, keep on skin for a minute or two. Also wash off - and now it's time for the tonic.

Spray the cleansed face a couple of times with a tonic, if the package is equipped with a spray bottle, or apply a few drops on a clean cotton pad and rub the skin of your face for about a minute from the center to the periphery. You can pay attention to the neckline and neck. If the instruction implies another use, follow the instructions. Tonic should not be used too often - in the morning after washing and before day cream, before night cream and literally once or twice a day in order to refresh the skin. The final stage is moisturizing the skin with an appropriate cream or oil, serum.

Especially for you, we have created a list of those companies that you absolutely must pay attention to when choosing a face tonic. The rating includes both budget funds from the mass market and not very cheap ones.

Paraben free for girls with dry and irritated skin. Carefully cleans. The skin becomes smooth and refreshed. The main active ingredient - ash juice - deeply nourishes the skin. Works great with cleansing gel from the same series.

Cost: about 400 rubles for 200 ml.

Natura Siberica is one of the few natural cosmetic companies in Russia, which is also highly valued abroad. There is no alcohol in this tonic for oily and mixed skin - it is not at all; Green tea and chamomile, sage and oregano play the role of an antiseptic, moreover, they also struggle with black spots and open pores. Give the skin dullness.

Cost: about 400 wheels for 200 ml.

Attracts with its composition - the French rose, elderberry extract and not a drop of alcohol. Suitable for all skin types. Restores the water balance of the skin and evens out its tone, cleans pores well. However, the packaging is not very convenient - if possible, we recommend pouring it into another container with a smaller opening.

Cost: more than 1000 rubles for 200 ml.

Another one of the representatives of natural budget cosmetics in the Russian market is the Green Mom firm. It cannot be attributed to fully organic cosmetics - for example, alcohol is also found, although the manufacturer does not skimp on natural ingredients. A series of tonics suitable for different types of skin: "Strawberries and a series" for normal and dry, "Sea Garden" for oily and combination, and "Lingonberry and celandine" for problematic and oily. Much less common are the balancing "Orange Flower and Acerola" and the cleansing "Olive and Pomegranate"

Cost: about 150 rubles for 300 ml.

Ideal for oily and combination skin. It dries inflammations, narrows pores and slightly brightens black points. The composition is not the most pleasant, but the mating effect is good. Feels chill and refreshing effect.

Cost: about 200-300 rubles for 200 ml.

When buying a product for the face or hair, many girls are guided by the promises of manufacturers - which is fundamentally wrong. A rare company will write the whole truth about its product. The only thing that should be addressed specifically on the label is the composition and for which type it is suitable. Do not be afraid to discuss the choice of cosmetics with friends or acquaintances, consultants in stores.If you want to know the real honest, correct opinion about the product - be guided by the reviews of other users and blogs of beauticians, the ratings of certain products on sites.

Making up the rating of the best tonics, located a little higher, we, first of all, were guided precisely by the opinions of ordinary girls and their reviews. But it is worth to highlight one professional moment - not all ladies "go" tonic. If you feel that this remedy does not suit you - it dries your skin too much, clogs pores or provokes acne, do not torture yourself. Replace it with another product or look at toners or lotions.

In tonic women customers value, first of all, the fulfillment of promises from the label. It is written - matting, so it should be well matted, otherwise why is it needed at all? Tonic should clean and not provoke inflammation and peeling, do not clog pores and gently clean.

An overview of facial tonics from popular brands, in the next video.