Dictionary.com doesn’t have an answer to the question, “What is a tonique?" Tonique is a funny word, and it isn’t used in the English language. So what is it? Tonique is a fancy word that Eminence Organics uses instead of toner. Toner sounds more familiar, yes? Tonique, toner, and hydrating mist are all the same thing, and they are a vital part of your beauty routine! At Facelogic Spa we talk about toners/toniques all the time, and we encourage all our clients to use one every day. Here’s all the buzz around toniques:
What is a Tonique?
Toniques are usually applied to the face as a mist. This mist works alongside daily cleansing to remove oil, dirt, and grime. Toniques also pair with moisturizers to refresh the skin’s hydration and youthfulness. According to Dr. Hadley King, an NYC board-certified dermatologist, "Toners are most helpful and necessary for people with oily or acne-prone skin, or for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup or other heavy skin products such as sunscreen.”
Toniques hydrate, restore the pH balance, infuse vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and prep skin to better absorb later skincare products. Due to the alkaline nature of cleansers, our skin’s pH wavers from its resting acidic state. The skin tries to mend this over time by producing more oils, but toniques help speed up the process. As it balances pH, a tonique also binds moisture to your skin, advancing hydration. And if that isn’t enough, toniques remove oil and dirt from the surface of your skin which shrinks your pores. When you spritz a tonique and tighten your pores, you are adding a layer of protection against the penetration of impurities. A simple spritz once a day can rejuvenate your skin and increase the benefits of your other skincare products. Who can say no to that?
What Should Not Be in a Tonique?
We said that the word tonique is used interchangeably with toner. This is true, but you should be careful when buying these products. "Toniques" are exclusive to Eminence Organics, so you can be sure that they are 100% natural and effective. However, if you are buying a different brand’s toner, check the ingredients list before applying it to your skin. Make sure you aren’t using a toner that contains alcohol, menthol, or astringents. These ingredients are harsh on the skin and do the opposite of what a toner is intended for. These toners strip moisture and aggravate your skin. Instead you should choose a toner with calming ingredients that will revive your skin. Eminence toniques combine ingredients like green tea and lavender. Green tea is high in antioxidants and vitamins that support youthful looking skin, and lavender heals dry skin and restores moisture. When you choose an Eminence tonique, you are choosing natural skin care that promotes healthy skin.
When Do I Use a Tonique?
As often as you wash your face and brush your teeth you should apply a tonique. You should adopt into your beauty routine as soon as possible. After you cleanse and exfoliate, spritz one or two pumps of toner over your entire face. Let it sink in and continue with moisturizer and serum. Applying toner before moisturizer and more potent treatments will prepare your skin to soak in all the future goodness. Because toniques are so hydrating, you can apply them as often as you want throughout the day. This quick infusion of nutrients will bring life back into your skin!
How to Choose a Tonique?
Eminence Organics offers a great guide for choosing a tonique:
Oily Skin:
This particular toner made the cut in Vogue Magazine’s “Best Toners for Oily Skin”. In an interview with Vogue, celebrity facialist, Joanna Vargas (whose clients include Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rachel Weisz, and Julianne Moore) recommends a tonique with Vitamin C (like Lime Refresh Tonique): “It can help mattify the skin, and I’m partial to any toner that can be sprayed—the ones that you wipe on tend to over-strip, therefore causing the production of more oil.”
Dry Skin:
Lemon tones and refreshes the skin while sweet red rose petals help revitalize and add moisture to dry and dehydrated skin types.
Aging Skin:
Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist:
Coconut water and fragrant neroli provide deep hydration, while Swiss Green Apple Stem Cells help reduce visible signs of aging.
All Skin Types (Including Sensitive):
Natural herbs help restore and soothe the look of skin. This toner also doubles as a neutralizer to deactivate the skin after the use of peel products and treatments.
If you aren’t using a tonique, I hope this has convinced you otherwise. Toniques are vital to helping you reach your skincare goals. They are also essential in hydration and anti-aging. If you want to try one out or need help choosing one, our skincare professionals at Facelogic Spa would be happy to help you. Come by and see us this week!