Skincare should never feel painful, end of story! Products that burn or sting are not normal, but unfortunately, skincare advertising has created a false expectation that you need to be able to feel your skincare “working”. The best skincare products will not feel any different than splashing water on your skin!
Your toner should not burn or sting during application. The only situation in which you should feel a slight reaction is if your toner contains an exfoliating acid or active ingredient. Active ingredients used in skincare can create a slight tingle when applied to the skin, but many people will not even feel a tingle when using these ingredients. If you experience burning or any pain after using a toner (or any other skincare product) you should immediately rinse your skin to remove the product.
This article contains affiliate links; if you purchase a product through my link it will send some spare change my way to keep this slice of the internet up and running.
What Does it Mean When Toner Burns?
- Toners can burn if applied to broken or highly sensitive skin.
- It contains an irritating ingredient or a high concentration of a sensitizing ingredient.
- You may be allergic to something in the formula.
- You’re using too many products with acids such as BHA or AHAs.
Alcohol is not an inherently evil skincare ingredient but it can cause a painful sensation if it’s applied to already irritated or broken skin. If you have active breakouts it can be painful to use a product with acids or alcohol because it’s making direct contact with broken skin.
An exfoliating toner formulated with a high concentration of an active ingredient such as glycolic acid can cause discomfort if you’re using it on sensitive skin. Take a look at the percentages of active ingredients in the formula, and consider looking for a gentler formulation if you’re experiencing irritation. High concentrations do not always equal better results. Many active ingredients can provide wonderful results even when used in formulations as low as 2-5%!
Using active ingredients in multiple steps of your skincare routine can also cause a burning or stinging sensation. Your skin does not need to be exfoliated in every step, or even every day! You can use multiple skincare products with actives but consider staggering them throughout your routine to ensure you’re not causing irritation. I created a printable skincare tracker which comes in very helpful when planning out how often to use each skincare product.
What to do if your toner burns your face:
If your toner is burning your skin you most likely need to stop using it entirely. This is a sign that something in the formula is not agreeing with your skin type and unless the burning sensation is due to a temporary circumstance like broken skin, it is not going to stop in the future. If you are determined to continue using the product, avoid using it on damp skin as skincare penetrates deeper into the skin when applied to wet skin. Also, consider only using the product every 2-3 days instead of daily.
Toners are not a necessary step in a skincare routine and I do not advise wasting your time dealing with these often irritating products if you are having trouble finding something that doesn’t leave a burning or stinging feeling. Toners were originally created to balance the pH of the skin after using the harsh soaps that were available at the time. Skincare formulations have majorly improved over the years since the creation of these toners and it’s simply not necessary to balance the pH of your skin anymore.
Is Toner Supposed to Make Your Face Red?
Facial skin is extremely thin and your nerves and blood vessels are much closer to the surface of the face than on other areas of the body. Harsh toners can easily create an inflammatory reaction a.k.a reddened skin when applied to this sensitive area. A toner can cause burning due to a high concentration of acids, alcohol, or other irritating ingredients. Red skin is not a sign that your skincare is “doing its job”. Red skin is a major red flag!
If you want to learn more about the nitty-gritty of what causes irritation, inflammation, and other skin reactions I recommend you watch this highly informative video by the dermatologist Dr. Dray.
Gentle Toner Recommendations That Won’t Burn or Sting Sensitive Skin
Here are my top recommendations of some skincare brands that carry toners that are suitable for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin:
Toners that I love available at iHerb:
- Pyunkang Yul, Essence Toner $17.10
- Missha, Time Revolution, The First Treatment Essence $28.35
- Dear, Klairs, Supple Preparation Unscented Toner $19.52
& Toners that I love available at Amazon:
- KEEP COOL – Soothe Bamboo Toner on Amazon.
- TIA’M – My Signature Vita B5 Toner on Amazon here.
- Olivarrier Dual Moist Toning Lotion on Amazon.