black friday early access: up to 22% off bestsellers. | DETAILS

Your cart

Your cart is empty

Toner after mask: the step you can’t skip

Toner after mask: the step you can’t skip

Facial masks are a skin care staple that surge your complexion with active ingredients that target any skin concern. However, you won’t receive the full benefits from your facial mask without the proper prep and finish steps. A high quality toner goes hand-in-hand with your favorite face mask – but do you use toner after mask or before? Keep reading to find out.

Toner before face mask

All treatment masks work best when applied to skin that has been prepped properly. For starters, face mask preparation should always consist of cleansing your face – double cleansing if you have makeup on. It's a little known fact that toners make one of the best mask primers.

“Spritzing the skin with the appropriate toner for your skin type and skin concerns balances the pH of the skin and maximizes absorption of the key ingredients of whichever mask you will apply next.” –Teresa Stenzel, Bioelements Director of Education

Not only that, but using toner before a face mask can help soothe irritated skin, rid the skin of excess impurities and oil, prevent premature aging and more. Toners can be used as a priming mist that sets the stage for ultimate benefits.

Toner after mask

Most people know it’s crucial to moisturize after masking, but adding a spritz of toner is an often overlooked step. Not only does a high quality toner work as skin prep, but it works post-mask (or post-exfoliator) too.

“Saturating your skin post-mask with a good toner will once again normalize the pH level, and skin that has been treated by the mask is now ready for a fresh drink of toner. You can even massage in the toner with your fingertips for additional penetration and a tingly, fresh mini-massage before applying your serum or moisturizer.” – Teresa Stenzel

Use toner after mask to provide a myriad of different benefits to the skin:

  • Saturate the skin with problem solving ingredients
  • Keep skin hydrated
  • Prevent premature aging
  • Soothe irritated skin
  • Help your skin better absorb serums and moisturizers
  • Protect your skin from outside irritants

Some skin care pros recommend toning both before and after your mask, but it depends on your personal preference and your skin needs.

Whether you choose to tone before or after masking (or both) the important thing is to make sure you choose the right formula for your skin type and concerns:

power peptide

Keep age signs at bay and add youthful radiance with this spritz on tonic. power peptide uses hydrating anti-aging peptides and extracts to brighten, revitalize and refine the skin for a younger-looking appearance, whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin.

equalizer

Refresh and rebalance dry, oily or combination skin with this hydrating toner. equalizer is an alcohol-free toner laced with Chinese herbs and aromatherapist oils to strengthen, calm, rebalance and nourish skin – prepping your skin for mask or moisturizer.

soothing reset mist

A soothing face mist to leave sensitive skin nourished, hydrated and protected. With therapeutic aloe vera and chamomile, plus deeply moisturizing and barrier strengthening Chinese medicinal silver ear mushroom to comfort, reduce visible redness, and calm reactive skin. 

Previous post
Next post

oxygen boost barrier treatment Sample
oxygen boost barrier treatment Sample

Added to Bag
In Cart
Dewluxe for Body Sample
Dewluxe for Body Sample

Added to Bag
In Cart
vc10 eye bright contour Sample
vc10 eye bright contour Sample

clinical eye creme with triple-sourced antioxidant 10% vitamin C

Added to Bag
In Cart
vc10 Nightly Bright Sample
vc10 Nightly Bright Sample

overnight brightening creme with triple-sourced antioxidant 10% vitamin C

Added to Bag
In Cart
Time Sensitive Sample
Time Sensitive Sample

retinol-free, multi-benefit serum for delicate skin with bakuchiol, peptides + deep hydrators

Added to Bag
In Cart
Hydroplunge Sample
Hydroplunge Sample

hyper-saturating immersion mask for dehydrated skin with sugar beet + hyaluronic acid

Added to Bag
In Cart
Dewluxe Sample
Dewluxe Sample

facial oil with occlusive argan, squalane + sea kale for dewy hydration

Added to Bag
In Cart
vc10 daily glow Sample
vc10 daily glow Sample

glow-getting serum with triple-sourced antioxidant 10% vitamin C

Added to Bag
In Cart
Urban Undo Cleanser Sample
Urban Undo Cleanser Sample

deep purging copper + clay cleanser to undo pollution, makeup and sebum

Added to Bag
In Cart
Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil Sample
Sensitive Skin Cleansing Oil Sample

A 2-in-1 makeup remover + cleanser with soothing, reparative plant and olive oils

Added to Bag
In Cart
Barrier Fix Daily Hydrator Sample
Barrier Fix Daily Hydrator Sample

Whipped hyaluronic acid + silver ear mushroom calms reactive skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Quick Refiner Sample
Quick Refiner Sample

Leave-on gel exfoliator with powerful AHAs

Added to Bag
In Cart
Sleepwear Sample
Sleepwear Sample

Overnight creme for dry to combination skin with calcium, retinol + peptides

Added to Bag
In Cart
Multi-Task Eye Creme Sample
Multi-Task Eye Creme Sample

A light and non-greasy daytime eye creme designed to brighten, target puffiness and ease fine lines

Added to Bag
In Cart
Plump Start Sample
Plump Start Sample

Antioxidant concentrate to improve fullness and smooth lines

Added to Bag
In Cart
Quick Refiner for Eyes Sample
Quick Refiner for Eyes Sample

Wrinkle-reducing, gentle AHA + lactic acid peel for eyes

Added to Bag
In Cart
Sleepwear for Eyes Sample
Sleepwear for Eyes Sample

Overnight age activist eye creme to moisturize and nourish thin fragile skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Really Rich Moisture Sample
Really Rich Moisture Sample

Ultra-emollient creme moisturizer to saturate very dry skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Moisture x10 Sample
Moisture x10 Sample

Super hydrating hyaluronic acid facial serum

Added to Bag
In Cart
Measured Micrograins + Sample
Measured Micrograins + Sample

Multi-action facial scrub for all skin types, including sensitive

Added to Bag
In Cart
Remineralist Daily Moisture Sample
Remineralist Daily Moisture Sample

A pollution-neutralizing, hydrating lightweight lotion for modern day aging skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Beyond Hydration Sample
Beyond Hydration Sample

Gel moisturizer for oily skin refreshes without shine

Added to Bag
In Cart
Moisture Positive Cleanser Sample
Moisture Positive Cleanser Sample

Rich facial cleanser for dry skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Collagen Rehab Sample
Collagen Rehab Sample

Face + lip mask to rehabilitate aging, lined and exhausted skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Radiance Rescue Sample
Radiance Rescue Sample

Instant-radiance mask for face and eyes

Added to Bag
In Cart
Pumice Peel Sample
Pumice Peel Sample

Manual microdermabrasion treatment in a jar

Added to Bag
In Cart
Age Activist Clinical Youth Serum Sample
Age Activist Clinical Youth Serum Sample

All-in-one youth serum to brighten, hydrate, smooth, minimize pores, improve lines, and firm

Added to Bag
In Cart
Decongestant Cleanser Sample
Decongestant Cleanser Sample

Lathering gel cleanser for oily skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Makeup Dissolver Perfected Sample
Makeup Dissolver Perfected Sample

Non-stinging makeup remover

Added to Bag
In Cart
CreateFirm Sample
CreateFirm Sample

Advanced anti-aging facial serum

Added to Bag
In Cart
Recovery Serum Sample
Recovery Serum Sample

Moisture-binding ceramide facial serum

Added to Bag
In Cart
Skin Editor Sample
Skin Editor Sample

Leave on AHA peel creme to target texture, dullness, congestion, discoloration, lines and more.

Added to Bag
In Cart
Kerafole Sample
Kerafole Sample

Deep purging facial mask that reveals fresh, radiant skin

Added to Bag
In Cart
Crucial Moisture Sample
Crucial Moisture Sample

Emollient creme moisturizer for dry skin to improve the look of lines

Added to Bag
In Cart
Absolute Moisture Sample
Absolute Moisture Sample

Lightweight facial moisturizer for combination skin to balance and smooth

Added to Bag
In Cart
Oil Control Sleepwear Sample
Oil Control Sleepwear Sample

Overnight creme for combination to oily skin with calcium, retinol + peptides

Added to Bag
In Cart