Toner and essence

[vinitadadar]

Do I still use a toner before the tatcha essence? I am currently using the Amorepacific toner and I really like it. I’m not sure if I should add the essence to this routine or replace my toner with the essence. A little confused on this! Any advice?

[AZanette]

@vinitadadar It’s usually recommended to use a toner before the essence. Toners are mainly to balance the ph of your skin and prepare it to better receive the next products. Depending on the toner, you can have extra benefits, as cleansing, moisturizing etc. The essence is actually more similar to a serum than to a toner. It goes deeper on your skin and treats wrinkles, skin tone and other issues. I think it all depends on what you are targeting and the ph of your skin after cleansing. Some cleansers also help balancing the ph of the skin, which should be a bit towards acid before applying essences. You can choose this solution if you just want to balance the ph of your skin and skip the toning.

[quspork]

@vinitadadar Generally speaking, toner goes on before essence BUT given the products you mentioned, the Tatcha is actually a First Treatment Essence which is slightly different than a regular essence. Since it contains ferments, it's meant to be applied even before toner to help with product absorption. It's up to your skin really if you want to use both or either in any given routine. But if you chose to use both then it would be 

-cleanser

-any actives you may use

-the Tatcha essence

-the Amore Pacific toner

-any serums you may use (thinnest to thickest)

-moisturizer

[vinitadadar]

Ahhh gotcha. The only thing that’s confusing me is, when I purchased the toner, the gentleman said it would help absorb my retinol in. Even the description online makes it seem like that. Let me attach a screenshot for you. Just wondering if that’s misleading.

[quspork]

@vinitadadar I'm sure the toner will help with the absorption of products that follow it, most toners do. And you certainly can use the retinol after it, skincare is always YMMV! 🙂 You just get (supposedly) a better efficacy of active products by using them more immediately after cleaning. 

[vinitadadar]

Hi! By actives do you mean acids / retinols? I currently use a mild retinol twice a week and the dr Dennis gross peel pads twice a week. AmI supposed to be putting those on before I pat in the toner? You’re post was super helpful! Thank you. I don’t think my skin needs both so I’m going to stick to my Amorepacific toner. When I am done, maybe I’ll give the essence a try!

[AZanette]

@vinitadadar the peeling pad you should use after cleansing, before toning. The retinol depends on the type of product. If it’s a serum, use it after essence.

[quspork]

@vinitadadar Yes, actives include chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, vitamin C serum, retinols, etc. With those types of products, you want to use them as close to after cleansing as possible (with the exception of buffering in the case of sensitive skin) because most of those types of items function better with certain pH levels. Some people do use a pH adjusting toner in between cleanser and actives, but I don't think that AP toner fits that category, glancing at its ingredients list.

[SportyGirly125]

@vinitadadar I use my toner before my Essence

[itsfi]

Hi @vinitadadar, it's not uncommon to be confused by toners and essences. Some products are even named essence toner and some toners can be used like essences and vice versa so it's very easy to be confused. The way I understand it is that the function of a toner (or many toners) is to balance the skin's pH levels and help to pick up anything that may remain on the skin after cleansing. Essences are more common in Asian skincare and are geared toward prepping the skin for the rest of your skincare routine. Often, essences can help to hydrate and nourish the skin and some are aimed at brightening the skin. You don't need to use both but if you do, the general rule is to apply products from lightest consistency to thickest and toner follows your cleanser(s) and comes before essences. Hope that helps.

AmorePacific and Tatcha make some wonderful products, including the ones you mentioned so it'd be hard to go wrong with one if you just picked one instead of incorporating both into your skincare routine.

[tjffc]

Great explantation explaining the role of toner and essence in the skin care routine.

[vinitadadar]

Thank you!!! That was super helpful!