Alcohol-Free vs Alcohol-Based Toners: Which is Better?

Nowadays skincare is followed by 3 steps and toners have become the essential part of skincare routine, it helps to cleanse, hydrate, and prepare the skin for subsequent products like serum and moisturiser. However,this is still the problem in the skincare world is whether alcohol-free or alcohol-based toners are better. The solution comes up with various factors, including your skin type, skin concerns, and goals. Further in this blog, we will explore the differences between these two types of toners. We will also read about their pros and cons. You will also get to know about the benefits of toner and how to choose the best toner for your skin.

What is a Toner?

First let’s understand what toner is.

A toner is a water-based skincare product which is used after cleanser to remove leftover dirt, oil, and makeup along with this it restores the skin’s pH balance. It prepares the skin for better absorption of serums and moisturisers. Many toners are formulated with beneficial ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and natural extracts which provide hydration and nourishment to the skin.

Benefits of Using Toner on Face

Whether the toner is alcohol-free or alcohol-based, using a toner has numerous benefits, including:

1. Removes leftover Impurities – Toners help in eliminating residues of dirt, oil, and makeup that cleansers might miss or you get from your towel.
2. Balances Skin pH – When we wash our face, various cleansers can disturb the skin’s natural pH level, which makes the skin more prone to irritation. Toners revive the skin’s ideal pH.
3. Prepares Skin for Skincare Products – More the serums or moisturisers absorbs more it will give results, So toners enhance the absorption of serums and moisturizers.
4. Provides Hydration – Hyaluronic acid is the best ingredient which provides hydration to the skin, many toners contain hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin plump and moisturised.
5. Minimises Pores – By using the toner regularly, it can help in reducing the appearance of enlarged pores by tightening the skin and giving youthful skin. 
6. Soothes and Refreshes – Many natural extracts like aloe vera, ginger, amla contain   anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Toners with these ingredients help to calm redness and irritation.

Alcohol-Based Toners

These kinds of toner have astringent properties which deeply cleanse the skin and remove excess oil. These toners commonly contain denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, or ethanol, which give your skin quick-drying effects.

Pros of Alcohol-Based Toners

• Controls Excess Oil – Alcohol-based toners are basically for oily skin as they remove excess sebum.
• Deep Cleansing – They productively remove dirt, bacteria, and leftover makeup, giving the skin a clean feel.
• Quick Drying – Alcohol evaporates quickly, hence alcohol free toner evaporates from skin easily, making a good choice for those who can’t wait to let the toner dry.
• Pore-Tightening Effect – Alcohol-based toners help shrink pores, and give the skin a smoother appearance.

Cons of Alcohol-Based Toners

• Can Cause Dryness – We have natural oil in our skin and alcohol can strip away natural oils from the skin which leads to dryness, flakiness, and irritation.
• May Disrupt Skin Barrier – The skin’s protective barrier weakens by the overuse of alcohol based toner and makes the skin prone to redness and sensitivity.
• Can Trigger Acne Breakouts – Although alcohol based toners remove excess oil but they may also trigger rebound oil production resulting in result leading to more breakouts over time.
• Not Suitable for Sensitive Skin – As read before, alcohol based toner has astringent properties which can be too harsh for dry, sensitive, or combination skin types and it causes irritation and redness to the skin.

Alcohol-Free Toners

Alcohol-free toners are formulated with gentle ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, mulberry, amla and glycerin. Alcohol free toners primarily focus on hydration, nourishment, and skin barrier protection.

Pros of Alcohol-Free Toners

• Hydrates the Skin – Toner hyaluronic acid in alcohol-free toners provides long-lasting hydration.
• Maintains Skin’s Natural Balance – Alcohol free toners help to restore pH levels without causing irritation to the skin.
• Soothes and Calms – Alcohol-free toners contain anti-inflammatory properties which makes it best suitable for sensitive skin. It reduces redness and irritation.
• Gentle Yet Effective – They do their job by cleansing the skin without over-drying or disturbing the moisture barrier.
• Safe for All Skin Types – Alcohol-free toners work well for all skin types including dry, combination, normal, and even acne-prone skin.

Cons of Alcohol-Free Toners

• Might Not Be as Effective for Oily Skin – Since they are gentler, they might not provide deep oil control for the skin which provides excess oil.
• Slower Absorption – In Comparison with alcohol-based toners, these toners take longer  time to absorb into the skin.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between alcohol-based toners and alcohol-free toners depends on your skin concerns and skin type:

• If you have oily or acne-prone skin, then an alcohol-based toner may be beneficial. 
• If you have dry, sensitive, or combination skin, an alcohol-free toner is the best choice.
• For normal skin types, an alcohol-free toner with hyaluronic acid can offer the best for both the concerns – hydration and light cleansing.