This overlooked beauty product is the secret to healing dry skin

At a time when supernatural skin is the ultimate beauty calling card and a 12-step regimen is nothing to bat an eye at, the best toners for dry skin—despite providing a variety of benefits, from shrinking pores to keeping one’s pH balance in check—have yet to shake their reputation of being an unnecessary step. And while there’s justly an uptick in interest in refreshing skin tonics during the warmer months, when an astringent can sop up excess oil to control shine and prevent breakouts, using toner when the temperatures dip is just as essential—if not more. Why? The best toners for dry skin not only provide an extra layer of hydration for thirsty skin but also allow it to drink in even more moisture when applied after a serum and moisturiser.

“Damp skin is 10 times more permeable than dry skin,” explains Austin-based aesthetician Renée Rouleau. “As long as you’re leaving it damp on the skin before immediately applying your next product, toners provide an instant boost of moisture to dehydrated cells and allow active ingredients to penetrate deeper.” In addition to helping fight the telltale signs of a cold-weather complexion, such as sallowness or flaky patches, toners can also support the skin’s natural protective barrier by delivering additional nutrients that make it less sensitive and more resistant to environmental damage, she says.

With crisp air and high winds putting skin to the test, what better way to put your best face forward on Zoom? Here, the best toners for dry skin to lock in moisture all winter long.

Dior’s Hydra Life toning tonic is infused with mallow, jasmine water, and powerful prebiotics that keep the skin’s flora in balance for a healthier complexion.

Odacité’s Hydra-Repair mist drenches the skin in hyaluronic acid, a known moisture booster, while aloe vera and chamomile work to soothe skin and reduce redness.

Celebrity facialist Renée Rouleau’s serum-infused, post-cleansing toner combines moisture-binding phospholipids, free radical-neutralising Vitamin C, restorative niacinamide, and omega-rich black raspberry seed oil for instantly dewy results.

A spa treatment in a bottle, Fresh’s Rose Deep toner is loaded with hyaluronic acid and contains real rose petals to neutralise flare-ups.

A chic potion for urban dwellers, Chanel’s Le Tonique Anti-Pollution elixir incorporates protective microalgae and fortifying marine salicornia to ensure skin stays refreshed.

La Mer’s The Tonic incorporates the beauty brand’s legendary Miracle Broth, an intensively calming blend of hand-harvested sea kelp, nutrients, and minerals that undergo a fermentation process, to impart a fresh glow.

Amore Pacific’s face mist is supercharged with bamboo sap, lotus, and green tea extract to deeply hydrate and protect against environmental aggressors for a more radiant complexion.

A potent cocktail of smoothing coix seed, anti-inflammatory witch hazel, and moisture-locking glycerin, Ceylon’s toner restores moisture and keeps skin clear and bright.

A French pharmacy staple, Embryolisse Eau de Beauté Rosamélis combines four different natural floral waters—rose, orange blossom, cornflower, and hamamelis—together to purify and tone skin.

While aloe soothes and snail mucin bring back moisture, salicylic acid exfoliates and sops up excess oil for smooth, luminous skin in this clean K-beauty favourite.

With its ultralightweight texture, Dr Jart+’s moisturising toner sinks right in and is formulated with a hydrating “5-Cera Complex” and dry-skin-healing panthenol for a softer, more supple complexion.

This article was originally featured on Vogue.com

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