Color Me Bonita - Toner, Orlando and Dawn

image via Pinterest

Today we have Daniela with a guest post about skincare and the importance of Toner in your routine. Queue up some old Tony Orlando and Dawn tunes as you learn more about this beauty essential.

I had a colleague in Florida named Dawn.  I say 'had', because this sweet, amazing woman sadly passed away last fall after a long time battle with cancer.  May she rest peacefully and be a continued inspiration to her friends, family and skin care colleagues like me. Anyway, she had a set-up in Miami much like mine.  Ok, so it’s not Orlando, but what else was I going to call this post considering it’s about toner?  Anyway, so we were having this discussion here on Facebook about the role increased water consumption plays in the hydrating of skin when it’s lacking water.  It got me thinking about toner and how most people are still unclear on what it does and why they should use it.

First, two facts about water consumption:

1. The skin is the last organ of the body to get any of the water you drink.  By the time your skin is dried out by lack of water consumption, you’re so thirsty you’re practically dying. Overall, though, your skin gets enough water from your body to be properly held up and keep its shape, unless you don’t drink, like, ever.
2. The water that does get to the skin is held inside underneath the top layer within the collagen fibers that hold your skin up.  This is why when there isn’t enough water held there, the result can be the appearance of dullness or ill health.  Actual wrinkles happen when the collagen in your skin is literally destroyed, not because there isn’t enough water being held there.  When it comes to surface dehydration, your skin needs water from outside.

The best way to stop surface dehydration is to prevent water loss by making sure you're using a cleanser that doesn't dry your skin out, followed by an alcohol-free toner in your skin care routine, followed by a hydrating daytime and nighttime moisturizer that is right for your skin type.  It's also important to turn down the temperature of the water in your sink and shower. 

There’s no question everyone needs to drink more water.  It flushes the body of toxins, gives you rosy cheeks and gives you a little more energy and stamina.  The issue is whether it relieves dryness in the skin.  Many say yes, I’m not so sure.

So what does toner do and how does it fit into this picture? Toner provides hydration together with soothing and healing ingredients that water-attracting ingredients in the best moisturizers hold to the skin and keep it there, making your skin more supple, pliable and comfortable.  That means less blackheads, less blemishes, less tiny lines and less dryness.  

If you'd like to get yourself on the right products to achieve this, fill out the Eval by Email form at http://www.daniela.com/Eval_by_Email.html, even if you're out of state (US and Canada only).  You'll get a skin care regimen tailored just for you.  CMS readers will get a discount code for 10% off their first order when you use "Color Me Styled" in the "referred by" field.