Common skin concerns include open pores, oily skin, and loose skin. Skincare products containing astringents are used to draw out oil, tighten the skin, tighten and tighten it, and close and shrink pores. Astringents create a protective layer between the lower layers of the skin and external elements. They contain antioxidants that fight bacteria on the skin and help keep the skin looking clean and fresh.
Astringents can be very drying to the skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, avoid alcohol-based and chemical-based astringents. If you have acne and dry skin, an astringent may irritate your breakouts further, leading to more peeling and redness.
If you have oily skin and want to use an astringent that contains alcohol, treat only the oily areas of your skin. This can help prevent irritation.
Some manufacturers use the terms “astringent” and “toner” interchangeably, considering them to be the same. While toner can be an astringent but not an astringent, astringents are typically used for oily and acne-prone skin, while toners can be used for all skin types, including sensitive, dry, and combination skin.
Toners can contain a wide range of active ingredients that may or may not be astringent. This depends on the formulation and purpose of the product. Often, companies’ market astringent products for people with the following: oily skin, blackheads, large pores
Astringents can have side effects, especially if they contain alcohol. Strong astringents remove a lot of oil from the skin’s surface, which can compromise skin health because oil acts as a protective barrier and prevents moisture from escaping.
Toners that contain active ingredients to target acne or oil are an alternative to astringents.
For example, a toner containing moisturizers to increase hydration containing salicylic acid (BHA), lactic and glycolic acids (AHA), niacinamide, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid could be a good alternative.
