When we think of our daily regimen, we’ve been taught from early on that you cleanse, tone and moisturize. Those are the basics. There are always conversations about what cleansers and moisturizers are good for African American Skin and which black skin care product should be included on your vanity. But not a lot of conversation is given to toners and astringents.
I once asked a dermatologist friend who specializes in caring for black skin, about toners and astringents and she explained it this way. “I used to think that toners and astringents were not always necessary for African American Skin. But as I began to treat our skin I realized that we needed this step in our daily regimen.”
Toners were often thought of as removing the remaining dirt from your skin after you cleansed it but if you clean your face correctly the first time, you won’t think of a toner as removing the remaining dirt.
Toners actually help to bring your skins pH balance back to its natural state. Between the chemicals in the water (that we can’t control) and the cleansers that we often use, our skin goes through quite a few changes just to keep it clean. Toners are typically used for normal/combination skin.
But if you have the challenge of oily skin, astringents are what’s often suggested for your skin type. Astringents typically remove the oil build up in your skin bringing a balance to the oil levels in it.
Whether it’s a toner or an astringent and although they are not as well known in the scheme of a good facial regimen, they have their place in the caring for your beautiful black skin.
To Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel,
Esthtetician/Publisher
NYRAJU Skin Care