In the world of cosmetics toners come as a lotion and are used to cleanse the skin and close the skin pores. Skin toners are usually used only for the face and one is supposed to cleanse their face with soap and water or with a cleanser. Then apply the toner by either dabbing it on, or spraying it on with a mister, or applying it on thin gauze and then covering the face with it. After the toner dries some women apply a moisturizer. What exactly does a toner do and what does it contain? Toners are a mixture of alcohol and other ingredients. Toners are also called astringents, skin bracers; fresheners and men's aftershaves are also a type of toner. It is categorized by the alcohol content in them. For people with oily skin a toner with higher alcohol content is recommended. The alcohol in the toner causes the skin pores to tighten temporarily and cause a slight swelling to the skin. Any claim made by any toner maker that the skin toner closes or changes the size of the skin pores is wrong. The texture of the skin does not change there is only a temporary reaction that takes place on the skin area to which it is applied. Like the skin reacts to a sudden cold wind and one gets what are commonly referred to as goose bumps on the skin, similarly toners cause a temporary simulation of the skin.

Skin toners contain alcohol, water, witch hazel, glycerine, camphor, menthol, rose water and alum. The different type of skin toners vary in the quantity of alcohol used in them. Skin toners freshen up the skin, remove oil and grime and women apply makeup after using a toner. Toners also restore the acid, alkali balance of the skin. In an oily skin toner the alum and alcohol content is increased versus that for normal skin. Some women may use two different toners, one for the T-zone of the face which maybe oily and another for the rest of the face.

One can also save money and make a homemade skin toner as it is not difficult to make a toner suiting one's skin type and since one makes it themselves they know what ingredients have been used in them. Market sold toners have chemicals and preservatives in them to increase there shelf life. In one makes their own homemade skin toner one does not need to add any artificial ingredients or harsh chemicals to it. It is very easy to get a skin toner recipe from the internet and can also get an at home herbal skin toner made.

The cosmetic market is flooded with skin toners for different skin types. One can find dry skin toner, oily skin toner, normal skin toner and one just has to name the skin type and the toner is there. Elizabeth Arden is a well known name in the cosmetic industry that needs no introduction and Elizabeth Arden oily skin toner is this company's skin toner for oily skin. It is said to reduce the oil in the skin and should be used in the morning and in the evenings. Elizabeth Arden has a range of toners for other skin types also. Another well known skin toner for oily skin is ahava advanced toner for oily skin. It is said to contain no alcohol and has aloe vera in it. It is also supposed to restore the skin's PH balance. For dry skin arbonne dry skin toner is quite a popular toner.

One can easily make a homemade skin toner and as long as one is not allergic to any of the ingredients given in the various recipes for making a skin toner one should make their own toners. What are sold under different brand names contain the basic ingredients that one will use to make their own skin toner.