Is Toner Really Necessary? What Dermatologists Say

2026-01-28 10:32:49

Is toner just a waste of money? In fact, toner is not an indispensable step in daily skincare routines. Dermatologist Dr. Li Meiqing shares that most people are used to the skincare sequence of toner → serum → lotion/cream. However, in the current skincare product market, the role of toner has become increasingly similar to a "serum with a lighter texture." After washing your face, when your skin is slightly damp, you can directly apply serum, then use lotion or cream as needed—this already provides sufficient moisture. Nevertheless, toner still serves a purpose for two specific skin types:

Young Skin with Excessive Oil Secretion

Whether it’s oily skin, combination skin, or even dry-prone skin, young skin usually produces more oil. Excessive sebum secretion tends to make pores look more noticeable. At this time, using toner for basic conditioning and astringency helps stabilize the skin condition and prevents pores from being stretched open by oil over the long term.

Aging Dry-Prone Skin with Decreased Oil Secretion

As we age, skin oil secretion gradually decreases, often leading to dryness and poor absorption of skincare products. Using toner at this stage can first adjust the skin to a slightly damp state, acting as a primer to enhance the absorption of subsequent serums and creams.