Toner is the step people are least certain about, largely because the product changed and its reputation did not.

What it used to be

An alcohol-based liquid for stripping remaining oil after harsh cleansing — the era when "clean" meant tight. That version was drying and, for most people, counter-productive.

What it is now

Mostly hydrating and preparatory: a lightweight liquid applied after cleansing that adds a first layer of moisture and leaves the skin slightly damp for what follows.

That second function is underrated. Moisturiser applied to damp skin holds water more effectively, so a toner is partly a delivery step for everything after it.

What the catalogue covers

Toners appear across the oxygen and Botanica directions in various campaigns, in hydrating and refreshing variants. The current line-up and compositions are in the Faberlic catalogue, which is the reliable source given the roughly three-week rotation.

Who benefits

  • Dry or dehydrated skin — an extra hydration layer with no added weight
  • Anyone with hard water, where cleansing leaves slight tightness
  • People layering serums, since damp skin absorbs them better
  • Oily skin wanting hydration without a heavier cream

Who can skip it

If your routine is cleanser and moisturiser and your skin is comfortable, a toner adds little. It is genuinely optional, and skipping it is not a gap in your routine — a point worth making plainly, since it is often sold as essential.

Choosing one

Look for hydrating ingredients, a light watery texture, and no fragrance if you are sensitive.

Be cautious of alcohol high in the ingredient list, and anything marketed as removing remaining dirt — if dirt remains, the problem is the cleanser.

Exfoliating toners are a different product. They contain acids, they are an active rather than a hydration step, and they should be treated with the caution any active deserves — not used daily by default.

How to use it

Onto clean skin, still damp. Press it in with your palms rather than wiping with a cotton pad — pads absorb most of the product and add friction for no benefit.

Then moisturise immediately, while skin is still damp. Waiting defeats the purpose.

For the steps either side of it, see the skincare section.