Obagi Medical - Nu-Derm Toner

The step that is most often skipped, yet it makes your skin calmer and better prepares it for everything that follows.

Why it works

Toner has developed a bad reputation from the bottles of the past, which were full of alcohol and left your skin feeling tight and dry. This one works differently. It is alcohol-free and restores the pH balance of your skin after cleansing. That sounds technical, but it is the reason your skin sometimes feels tight after washing: water and cleansers push the pH level up, and it takes time for your skin to correct that on its own.

Witch hazel absorbs excess sebum and has a soothing effect, while aloe and panthenol lock in moisture. The texture is watery and fresh, more of a refresher than a treatment.

Who it's for

For just about every skin type, from normal to oily and from normal to dry. Even if your skin reacts easily: precisely because it contains no alcohol, this is one of the gentler toners. If you have distinctly oily skin, the C-Balancing Toner from the same range might be a slightly better fit.

How to use it

Morning and evening, immediately after cleansing. Pour some onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it over your face and neck. Do not rinse. Apply your serum while your skin is still slightly damp, as it will absorb better.

A tip from me

A toner should not sting. That is the misunderstanding I address most often: people think that tingling sensation means it's working. It usually means there is alcohol in it and that your skin barrier is taking a hit. If your skin feels fresh after toning and not tight, you're on the right track.

And don't expect visible results from a toner on its own. What you will notice, after a few weeks, is that your face feels tight less often after washing and that your cream absorbs more evenly. It is a step that makes the rest work better, not a step that steals the show itself.

Questions about whether this is the right toner for your skin? Feel free to send me a message and we'll look into it together.