Skin Care – The Importance of Toning

The crowded, confusing forest of skin care includes treatment regimens and products promising effects from “amazing” and “age defying” to “flawless perfection” and “fountain of youth”, how do you find your way? Consumers who only know only a little about skin care and cosmetics can be confused by misleading information.  You are unique! And so is your skin. What is right for your individual skin care needs?

Cutting through all of the marketing hype, the three areas most important for skin care and maintenance are cleansing, toning, and moisturizing.  Many cosmetic and skin care companies tout all sorts of treatment programs, benefits and results.  However the truth of skin care is in these three basic concepts– concepts that you should keep clearly in mind as you make your way through the thicket of skin care marketing.  An effective skin care routine includes the basics of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing along with plenty of sleep and a smart, healthy diet. Toning, also referred to as conditioning, is an important part of effective skin care because it keeps pores clean and open.

That makes skin healthy and more receptive to the care that comes with moisturizing. Experts consistently advise that skin toners should be free from synthetic chemicals that can dry and irritate sensitive skin. The best skin toners are effective in clearing environmental pollutants that can be detrimental to your skin’s health. Daily toning helps keep the skin clear and firm. And with greater emphasis in recent years on the importance of exercise and outdoor activities for our health and fitness, toning as an essential element of your skin care regimen helps protect your skin from the harmful effects of too much sun, wind and water as you work to stay fit and beautiful. As the skin ages, it loses its elasticity and this lack of suppleness makes your skin  appear older.  Good skin toners contain  a blend of antioxidants, proteins and vitamins that penetrate the skin and make it look smoother and firmer.  Toning secures skin’s essential moisture and increases collagen and elastin levels, promoting the skin to regenerate itself just as younger skin does. Two ingredients that you will find in the best toning products are collagen and elastin.  Look for these ingredients and look for them in high concentrations. Collagen is a naturally occurring fibrous protein that gives skin its firmness.  As we age or suffer environmental damage to the skin from sun, wind and outdoor exposure, collagen in our skin breaks down and our skin loses its firmness and wrinkles begin to appear.

Elastin is also a naturally occurring protein that helps skin stay supple and flexible. If you stretch your skin, it is elastin that returns it to its original shape. Effective skin toners remove oil, dirt and makeup and revitalize your skin by improving blood circulation to add the glow of youth to your skin. A good toner that contains high levels of naturally occurring proteins collagen and elastin will also help prevent wrinkles. Look for a well established line of products developed by experts in the field of skin care.