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When it comes to skincare, we have all heard the old adage about cleansing, toning and moisturising, but how many of us actually do it?
Some of us might moisturise, but many skip the first two steps because we are unclear what they mean or worry that the products involved are too harsh for our skin.
This is particularly true of toner, which many people think of as an astringent that dries out the skin.
However, when natural ingredients are used to make it, the product becomes something that can be used on all skin types to replenish anything that has been lost and will actively work to benefit the skin, not to harm it.
Here, we look at the jobs of cleansers and toners and how natural versions can give you a complexion you never thought possible.
The best natural cleansers
A cleansing mousse like the Natura Siberica Cleansing Foaming Mousse is great for oily and combination skin.
It foams away any excess dirt and is rich in flavonoids (formerly known as vitamin P), Sophora Japonica and Chamomile Recutita, to deeply cleanse and refresh.
When you use a cleanser, you need to be sure it suits your skin. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a key ingredient in many cleansers and for some people, it can irritate the skin.
Swapping to a natural cleanser can be beneficial to your skin as it is gentler and contains ingredients that are less likely to provoke a reaction.
You can still enjoy the foaming sensation with the Sukin Foaming Facial Cleanser which is award winning and provides a gentle, non-drying cleanser using chamomile, aloe vera, witch hazel and green tea, along with macadamia and evening primrose oils.
Face wipes have been marketed as a quick and easy cleansing solution, but these are incredibly bad for the environment as they contain plastic and therefore do not breakdown and cannot be recycled.
One of the most environmentally-friendly alternatives is to use facial cleansing bars like the Ethique Bliss Bar.
This face bar is suitable for normal to dry skin types and offers a super creamy formulation made from creamed coconut butter, vegetable glycerine and clay, all in sustainable, plastic-free packaging.
There are still many easy ways to cleanse your skin, using products such as the Vitaskin Vitamin C Cleansing Balm.
This quickly dissolves impurities and make-up to leave even the driest skin feel radiant, cleansed and smooth.
Using a natural facial cleanser and toner combination is a much gentler approach to caring for your skin.
These products can be used both in the morning and the evening to prepare the skin and to remove whatever the day might have thrown at it.
The idea of cleansing and toning might seem old fashioned, but it remains essential in keeping your skin clear, glowing and healthy.
A cleanser is designed to essentially to keep your skin clean and clear of debris such as dirt, pollutants and make-up.
Cleansers come in a variety of different forms including lotions, milks, waters and foams.
They will dissolve away any oil-soluble impurities in a more effective way than a face wash or soap.
Depending on your lifestyle, you may benefit from a double cleanse routine. This is because heavy make-up and all the dirt and grime of the day may only remove surface debris.
A second cleanse will help you to reach deep into the pores to prevent the blockages that lead to blemishes.
A lot of people probably could not tell you what a toner is for, and yet it remains an important part of your skincare routine.
It is the next step after cleansing your skin in order to replenish the surface. Toners can purify or replenish the skin before you apply your moisturiser.
A natural toner will contain calming and soothing ingredients that will help to give you a healthier complexion.
The Dr Organic Skin Clear Toner uses grapefruit extract, AHA fruit acids and salicylic acid to enrich oily and problem skin. It soothes areas of redness and reduces pores for clearer, balanced skin and is suitable for vegans.
An alternative type of toner is the Gallinée Face Vinegar which is both astringent and soothing at the same time.
It contains Actibiome which works to calm and soothe sensitive and oily skin.
Every day, our skin becomes covered in dirt, pollutants, sweat, dead skin cells and make-up. This can then lead to spots and premature signs of ageing.
By regularly using a good cleanser once a day, you can remove all this rubbish from your skin, keeping it cleansed and clear.
The Trilogy Make-Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm melts away make-up such as foundation, lipstick and even mascara, in order to leave your skin clean and clear.
Packaged with its own cotton cloth, this amazing product is the perfect way to get your skin ready for bed.
Your toner should fit into your skincare routine just before you moisturise.
The purpose of a toner is to absorb excess dirt and traces of make-up and to help balance the pH of your skin.
A toner should be milder than an astringent and can be used each day, to finish your skin cleansing processes.
The Ayumi Rose Toner uses rose, glycerine and geranium to gently calm, hydrate and refresh the skin.
A cleanser should do what it says on the tin and help to cleanse the skin. It will help stop pores becoming blocked, reduce spots forming and skin looking dull and tired.
Removing dead skin cells and debris will also help to have a refreshing effect on your skin.
The benefits of a facial toner are that it should help to minimise the appearance of pores and ensure your skin is fully cleaned.
Toner will help to therefore keep your skin looking glowing and can even be effective in controlling blemishes and dry skin.
The Dr Organic Skin Clear Toner is enriched with AHAs and salicylic acid to help tackle problem skin. And the unique blend of extracts help to soothe areas of redness.
Your cleanser should be used at the start of your skincare routine, so that the skin can be ready to receive anything you then choose to put onto it.
Some people like to perform a second cleanser in some circumstances, but if you are using a toner this might not be necessary.
This helps to finish the cleansing process and should be used before any serums or moisturisers.
A toner can then be used to finish cleansing the skin, removing any further dirt and debris and help balancing the pH level of the skin.
This leaves your skin ready for any serums and moisturisers that you then want to apply.
Many people think of toner as being too harsh for sensitive skin due to its alcohol content, but there are now some terrific alcohol-free toners which can even be used on delicate skin.
By choosing a face cleanser or toner that is made from natural ingredients, you are far less like to aggravate sensitive skin.
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