by As a disciplined face wash – I have only missed a few days since high school – it would be derogatory to say that I take my skin care routine and arsenal of products seriously. Cleaners, of course. Oils, serums and moisturizers, duh. Eye creams and clay masks, for sure. But there was one step I could never get excited about (or understand very well): toners. Until recently, when I added Isla Tone Balance Elixir to my routine.
If you remember toners as the hard, drying products of decades past, I was there with you. “Tonic primers were alcohol-based products used to counteract the effects of soap-based soaps that leave residues on the skin,” says Jamie Rosen Manning, MD and FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical dermatology trainer. at Montefiore Medical Center. and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. “While helping to remove excess dirt or oil accumulation, the hard ingredients of traditional toners have the potential to strip or exfoliate excessively the top layer of skin and compromise its barrier function.”
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Not anymore. Toners like Isla’s Elixir are now used to restore skin pH, hydrate skin, exfoliate dead skin cells, control oil production and soothe and protect skin barrier function.
“What I like about this product is that it approaches skin health through antioxidant repair and hydration,” says Rosen Manning. And since it is water-based, lightweight and made from 100 percent natural ingredients, it can be included in everyone’s daily routine, regardless of your skin type.
Ever since I incorporated the Elixir into my multi-step routine — after cleansing, before the serum — I have been thrilled with how refreshing rather than dry not at all, is. My face is hydrated and glowing, which is not easy as it has been a long winter.
Rosen Manning points out some special ingredients that make Elixir special: wild berry extract, glycerin and aloe vera. Wildberry Extract, a blend of Indigenous Australian super berries, provides a powerful source of antioxidants. “Antioxidants act as a sponge to absorb and cleanse free radicals caused by oxidative stress — think of UV radiation, smoking, pollution — which can contribute to premature aging, fine lines and wrinkles,” he says. Rosen Manning.
Another hero ingredient is glycerin, which is a natural compound that loves water that acts as an excellent moisturizer (also known as, it keeps the skin hydrated). As glycerin is a small molecule, it can penetrate the skin, allowing it to improve deep hydration. “That’s why Elixir offers a plump, cool and hydrated feel – a look that everyone is looking for,” he says.
Then there is aloe vera. You are probably well aware of its soothing anti-inflammatory properties that can be useful for sunburn and sores, but according to Rosen Manning, it is also an excellent moisturizer that can reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. Wins / wins.
Rosen Manning recommends Isla’s Elixir for anyone looking for a hydrating boost (yes) and an antioxidant repair (yes again), especially because it contains all-natural ingredients. Just remember to apply a moisturizer or serum after Elixir to trap the hydration you recently added. “This locks in the nutrients that leave the skin smooth, cool and glowing,” he says. Yes, yes, and yes please.
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