Skincare Regimen

[#1]

So I was on the Sephora Blog and read an article that was posted November 10, 2010 on "What are your top 5 steps to better skincare?".  As I was reading that small post, it gives almost the basic steps, Cleanser, Toner, Exfoliator, Moisturizer, an Antiaging Eye treatment and Suncare.

While I was reading this post, I am just wondering, is it really necessary to have these exact steps to get better skin?  Do we really need a Toner? I have combination skin, and when I went to school for Esthetics, I was always told to have a cleanser, toner and moisturier (with everything else too) but now I am really wondering do I really need a toner for my type of skin? I can't use sunscreen because I am pretty much allergic to anything with SPF in it. So that is out of the question.

Cleanser, Moisturizer and eye treatment I understand, but what about the toner? Is it that essential to have?

What are your recommendations to better skin?  Do you need to purchase high end products to achieve better skin?

What are your thoughts?!  I want to have discussions with people on what they really think and feel.  Incase anyone anyone wants to read the post, this is the link:  http://blog.sephora.com/search/label/Health (the products mentioned are just of course suggestions).

[#2]

I maybe on the strange side here, but my skin care routine is this.  I wash my face with Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo to remove any make up and then wash with Neutrogena Foaming Face Wash.  Works great for me and VERY economical!!  The clarifying shampoo works great for removing eye make-up.

[#3]

I dont think a toner is essential at all. Even if you have oily skin and prefer to use a toner you can make your own instead of shelling out the big bucks. Buy Organic Apple Cider Vinegar at the grocers ( must have that USDA Stamp of Approval), fill sink with water and add that in there and splash your face a few times. There is no better toner than that ( and no cheaper alternative). I love skincare and am very passionate about it and have been since I was 17. I do a lot of research on it, talk to professionals and the like and do consider myself somewhat of a skincare expert, although no one knows your skin better than you do. You really dont need much more than a cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen. You dont need to cleanse in the morning unless you have oily skin, you DO need to wear sunscreen everyday (go with natural sunblock, they dont irritate or cause breakouts--I like Mychelle Sun Shield, or Lavanila Baby Block but Mychelle rubs in completely and bc its a physical BLOCK it stays on all day until you wash it off). Do wash your face every night even you didnt wear makeup that day bc there are still pollutants and environmental aggressors out there and moisturize to keep skin soft supple and young.

[#4]

I use makeup remover to take my makeup off at night, but I definitely still use a toner because it manages to get off any makeup residue that might be left after the cleanser.  Since I have dry sensitive skin, I exfoliate maybe 1-2 times a week with Origins Modern Friction, which I've found is so much more gentle on my skin than other ones I've tried. 

[#5]

I never use a toner.  In my teens and twenties I tried them but I found them very drying and quit using them.  I am fortunate to having naturally good skin with few breakouts and I try to keep my regimen to a minimum and consistent because while I don't breakout my skin is sensitive.  To cleanse in the morning I use Ole Hendrickson African Tea Tree Foaming Face wash, Neutrogena Foaming Facial Cleanser or Skyn Icelandic Glacier.  My choice depends on the season, temperature and humidity.  Mood plays a role too.  The Glacier cleanser is the best wake-up for my skin when I am tired.  I usually follow that with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion in the winter and Dior's Hydralife Sorbet Creme in the summer (both are for daytime moisture).  I have recently changed my nighttime routine and my skin looks and feels better.  I use an eye make-up remover.  I love Lancome's but your favorite is fine.  I then use Skyn Icelandic Glacial cleansing cloths to swipe away all the make-up and grime from the day.  I splash a little water  to rinse a bit although you don't have to with this product.  Then I use Philosophy's Help Me which is a retinol product and finish it off with Philosophy's Hope in a Jar for dry, sensitive skin.  I spend much less time at night and have been doing this for almost 3 months and my skin feels better.  Sephora's return policy makes trialing products easy.  I got hooked on Skyn Icelandic by purchasing the combo set of Glacier with the Glacial cloths.  It is a great bargain and I found another product I adore!

[#6]

I would never go without toner, but I find a lot of N American toners are heavy on the alcohol content and quite drying. I use Shiseido's Hydro-Nourishing Softener. It moisturizes the skin and takes off any extra dirt or makeup your cleanser may miss. Try it at the store if you can, it feels very different.

I don't think you need to spend much on toner (I got mine as a gift). You can make your own, just Google for recipes.

[#7]

I am a pharmacist and a couple dermatologists I am friends with have said a toner is not necessary and in cases may make you too dry and can even cause a rebound oily effect.  I can't use a toner in the winter because it is too drying but I can use it in the summer without the stinging and either way, I always use an alcohol free toner.  I think many people use the toner to ensure they got their face clean.  I think it is totally up to you if you WANT to use one or not but I don't think it is going to make your skin healthier than cleaning, moisturizing and a sunblock, and when you get old enough, you can add a retinol product for lines.  Hope that helps.

[#8]

For me a toner is essential, but I have oily skin.  Before I began using toner after cleansing I had so many blackheads on and around my nose and chin it was unbelievable.  However, after using a toner with salicylic acid and glycolic acid my blackheads are barely there anymore.

My favorite toner is Neutrogena "Pore Refining Toner" which is less than $10 at most stores and can be purchased anywhere Neutrogena products are sold, such as Ulta, Target, WalMart, etc.

My daughter had the same problem with blackheads and I bought this toner and gave it to her so that she would use it.  She did and she has had the same great results that I have.  Her skin type is combination.

I think a toner is a good idea, but you need to get the type of toner designed for your skin type.  Obviously, I don't think a toner has to cost $50 to be good.  Neutrogena products are very good and inexpensive.

That's pretty much my opinion on toner . . .