Toner is an essential part of any skincare routine. With benefits ranging from clearing pores to reducing skin redness and more, most beauty aficionados have a bottle in their skincare cabinets—but is it time to add a toner for your body care routine, too?
Body care is booming, becoming just as prominent as skincare for the face. In fact, Google searches for body skin care increased 1,025% since December 2023 – and with the face only making up 3.5% of our skin, it’s about time we treat our body with the same TLC. Not to mention, toner helps with a variety of skin concerns, including acne. If you’re all too familiar with pimples on your back, shoulders and chest, adding toner may be the key to unlocking clear, radiant skin.
We spoke to a panel of expert dermatologists to uncover everything you need to know about body toner.
Benefits of Body Toner
The skin of the body needs moisture just as much as the skin of the face, and adding a toner can help your skin to absorb and retain the moisture it craves.
“Toner is designed to remove any remaining impurities, balance the skin’s pH levels, and prepare the skin for better absorption of subsequent products,” says double board certified dermatologist Saami Khalifian, MD, from SOM Aesthetics. “The benefits of using toner include minimizing the appearance of pores, reducing excess oil, and providing a refreshed, hydrated feel to the skin. Some toners also contain active ingredients that target specific skin concerns such as acne or aging.”
“Environmental exposure such as sun, pollution and extreme temperatures can lead to dehydration. This in turn can disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier,” says Julie Monti, Director of Education at AmorePacific US. “By using a toner on your body, you not only hope to boost skin’s moisture levels, but you also help to increase the absorption of any creams or lotions you apply on top.”
How to Pick the Right Body Toner
Different toner ingredients can offer a host of different benefits. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist, recommends looking for a toner with salicylic acid or other exfoliating acid, as these ingredients penetrate into pores to remove oil.
If you have duller-looking skin, try looking for a toner with glycolic acid, lactic acid, or papaya extracts “to remove dead skin cells,” as well as increase cell turnover, which can help firm and thicken the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “The exfoliation offered by these toners can also have anti-aging benefits and help to minimize the appearance of pores,” says Dr. King.
If you have dry skin, search for toners with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, lecithin, aloe vera, and rose water. This will help to attract and retain moisture in the skin, making it feel plump and supple.
Can I Use the Same Toner on My Face and Body?
Though toner can have similar if not identical benefits for the body as for the face, it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. “It’s important to consider the formulation and concentration of active ingredients,” says Dr. Khalifian. “Some facial toners might be too gentle for body skin, which tends to be thicker. For body concerns, using a toner specifically formulated for body skin can be more effective.”
Toners that contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid can be beneficial for both face and body in some scenarios—so be sure to thoroughly read the ingredients before putting the product to the test. Dr. Khalifian also recommends doing a patch test first on a small area of the body to ensure your skin won’t have an adverse reaction.