The key difference between toner and exfoliator is that a toner balances the pH of the skin, whereas an exfoliator removes dead skin cells.
Both toners and exfoliators have the same base ingredients. But exfoliating comes before applying toner in your skincare process. You have to cleanse the face, exfoliate, and then apply toner. But if it is a chemical/liquid exfoliant, it comes after applying toner to your face. Both toners and liquid exfoliants should be applied with cotton pads and need not be washed (unless it is a rinse-off exfoliant).
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Toner
3. What is an Exfoliator
4. Toner vs Exfoliator in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Toner vs Exfoliator
What is a Toner?
A toner is a liquid solution that is used after cleansing the face to remove any remaining impurities. It looks like water but helps in cleaning makeup, dirt, sebum, and oil. They generally contain hydrogen and oxygen, but some also contain glycerin, antioxidants, acids, and anti-inflammatories.
There are different types of toners, from gentle and rose-water based to astringents like alcohol and witch-hazel formulas. However, most toners often have soothing effects and anti-aging properties.
A good toner not only cleanses your face but makes your skin look younger and fresher by giving hydration. It also rebalances the pH value of the skin, which might have been affected after using various types of harsh cleansers. Toners reduce the appearance of pores, tighten the skin, and even reduce uneven skin tone, as well.
You can apply toners by directly spraying them onto the face or by sprinkling them into your palms and applying them on your face. You can also put toner into a cotton pad and gently swipe it across your face.
The type of toner that you should use differ based on your skin type. For oily skin, you should select a toner with tea tree oil, salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, or beta-hydroxy acids. For dry skin, use a toner with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and cucumber extract. If your skin is sensitive, it’s better to use a toner that has chamomile, rose water extract, and aloe vera. Moreover, a toner that has rose water, vitamin C, vitamin E, or glycolic acid is good for combination skin. Additionally, if your toner is oil-free and has salicylic acid, it is good for acne-prone skin.
What is an Exfoliator?
An exfoliator is a product used to remove dead skin cells. There are various types of exfoliators, such as physical, chemical, and enzymatic. Physical exfoliators are the traditional exfoliating method and use small granules to manually scrub dead skin cells away. Some common types of chemical exfoliators are beta-hydroxy acids, alpha-hydroxy acids, and poly-hydroxy acids. They work by combining with lipids on the outer layer of the skin and dissolving them so that the dead skin cells break away. Enzymatic exfoliators are mild, and they are best for sensitive skin. They work like chemical exfoliants by breaking down keratin on the skin. But it is done at a slower pace.
Chemical exfoliators, which are also known as liquid exfoliators, are more effective but should not be used frequently, and it is better if you could consult your dermatologist before using them.
These liquid exfoliators effectively remove dead skin cells and debris from your skin and help in making your skincare absorb into your skin better. Moreover, they smooth the skin texture, remove uneven and dull skin tones, and give a radiant look. In addition, they give you immediate results. They also unclog your pores by removing oil and debris from the skin.
You should apply exfoliators to dry skin after cleansing. Then allow it to dry completely before applying serum or moisturizer. Since using liquid exfoliants may increase sun damage, it is better if you could use them in the evening. You do not have to wash them off since the best results are gained by keeping them on the skin for the longest time.
What is the Difference Between Toner and Exfoliator?
The key difference between toner and exfoliator is that a toner balances the pH of the skin, whereas an exfoliator removes dead skin cells. Moreover, toners can be used every day, whereas exfoliators should be used twice or thrice a week.
Below is a summary of the difference between toner and exfoliator in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Toner vs Exfoliator
A toner is a liquid solution used after cleansing the face to remove any remaining impurities. Toners are mostly water and are gentle. They balance the pH of the skin and can be used every day. An exfoliator is a product used to remove dead skin cells. Exfoliators are not so gentle; therefore, they are not for everyday use. So, this is the summary of the difference between toner and exfoliator.
Reference:
1. “Toner (Skin Care).” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “What is Exfoliation?” Beauty Blender.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Mamonde Rose Water Toner” By Mamonde – Mamonde (CC BY 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “A Woman Touching Her Face while Looking Up” (CC0) via Pexels