Should you be using an astringent in your skin care routine?

With so many products crowding skin care shelves, it can be tricky to know which ones your face truly needs. The latest one beauty lovers are mulling over? Astringents.
They're not new by any means; in fact, astringents are actually one of the most classic categories in the skin care space; but with similar (and often gentler) products such as essences, lotions and toners taking over in the complexion-balancing arena, they have come to be a little neglected.
Astringents absolutely still have a place, though; it all boils down to understanding how to use them to your skin's advantage and deciphering whether or not they're right for your face.
We spoke to Kiehl's Educator Jemma McBride to find out just where they fit.
RELATED: A lesson in why pH levels matter for your skin
RELATED: 'Skin fasting' could cut your routine in half
How do astringents work and when/how would you apply one?
"[Astringents] are designed to reduce excessive sebum/oil, act as an antibacterial for acne and blemish-prone skin and minimise pores. Astringents are the second step in the routine, after cleansing. They can be applied directly onto the skin using a patting motion with clean hands, or with a sterile sustainable cotton round," says Jemma.
What separates astringents from toners?
"Astringents are designed to balance oil and act as an antibacterial. They usually contain antibacterial, pore-minimising and oil reducing ingredients," Jemma explains. "Astringents can also contain acids like salicylic acid. Toners don’t typically have antibacterial or anti-blemish ingredients as their purpose is to balance the pH of the skin" she shares.
Should astringents be used both morning and night?
"Yes, they can be used morning and night," she confirms. "A good quality astringent should contain ingredients that reduce oil and act as an antibacterial, as well as ingredients that hydrate the skin. When using an astringent for the first time, slowly build it into the routine by using it every second day for the first week," Jemma recommends.
When shopping for an astringent, how do I determine which products fit the category?
"Sometimes the labelling and names of products can be confusing or unclear. Any toner/lotion that boasts antibacterial, anti-blemish properties is usually an astringent. Some ingredients to help identify an astringent include acids such as salicylic acid, or witch hazel, camphor, which both have antibacterial, anti-blemish properties and are also anti-inflammatory and soothing. Kiehl’s Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion contains both witch hazel and camphor," she says.
Which skin types are astringents suited to/not suited to?
"Astringents are designed for combination, oily and acne or blemish-prone skins. If you have normal or dry skin types I would recommend to use a toner or essence instead," Jemma advises.
bh loves: Kiehl's Blue Astringent Herbal Lotion, Weleda Aknedoron Purifying Lotion, Aesop Bitter Orange Astringent Toner ($57, myer.com.au), UMA Ultimate Brightening Rose Toner ($107, sephora.com.au), Mario Badescu Witch Hazel and Rosewater Toner ($22, mecca.com.au)
Main image credit: @kiehls
Do you currently use an astringent? Would you be inclined to add one into your routine?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
53 Member Comments
This testimony is worth sharing to the world. I am here to tell the world of the good works of Dr BALBOSA. My name is Olivia Bolton am from the UK.. My man left me and my kids for another older woman. It was not so easy for me.. I love my husband so much and I did not lose hope and I kept praying and God finally answered my prayers...i searched online for a spell caster to help me unite me and my lover back forever and i saw so many testimonies of how DR BALBOSA has helped so many people online and i decided to give him a trial … I contacted him and explained to him. He told me not to worry that he will bring back my man within 24 hours. He consulted his powers and assured me not to worry . He did his work and cast the spell and to my greatest surprise, my husband came back the same day begging and crying just as Dr BALBOSA said. He begged me for forgiveness and he promised never to leave me for any reason. We are happy and we live together as one. Contact Dr BALBOSA now on: balbosasolutionhome@gmail.com and you can also contact him on WHATSAPP/CALLS +2347048047728... don't lose hope have a lovely day
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
HOW DOCTOR TONY FIXED MY BROKEN MARRIAGE AND BRING BACK MY EX HUSBAND, you can Email Him Via: (drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com) Call/WhatsApp: +2348154900380. Am Haley Christopher, am from Los Angeles CA, I want to share a testimony of my life to every one. i was married to one Mr Vega Smith, i love him so much and we have been married for the past 8 years now with three kids. when he went for a vacation in France he meant a lady called Vivian, so when he came back he told me that he is no longer interested in our relationship any more. i was so confuse and seeking for help everywhere, i didn't know what to do until I met my friend called miss Bella and I told her about my problem. she told me not to worry about it,that she had a similar problem before and introduce me to a great man called Dr. TONY the love spell caster who cast a spell on his ex and bring him back to her after 2 days. Miss Bella ask me to contact Dr.TONY the love spell caster for help, which I did. I contacted him to help me bring back my husband and he ask me not to worry about it that the gods of his four fathers will fight for me. He told me by two days he will re-unite my husband and I together. it was just like a dream to me and After two days my husband called and told me he is coming back home to sought out things with me, I was surprise when I saw him and he started crying for forgiveness. Right now I am the happiest woman on earth for what this great spell caster did for me and my husband, you can contact Dr. TONY with his Email: drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com .He is the best spell caster who is very capable to help you, and his telephone number/whatssap number is +2348154900380 https://drtonylovespellcaster.blogspot.com Thank you once again Dr. TONY
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
HOW DOCTOR TONY FIXED MY BROKEN MARRIAGE AND BRING BACK MY EX HUSBAND, you can Email Him Via: (drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com) Call/WhatsApp: +2348154900380. Am Haley Christopher, am from Los Angeles CA, I want to share a testimony of my life to every one. i was married to one Mr Vega Smith, i love him so much and we have been married for the past 8 years now with three kids. when he went for a vacation in France he meant a lady called Vivian, so when he came back he told me that he is no longer interested in our relationship any more. i was so confuse and seeking for help everywhere, i didn't know what to do until I met my friend called miss Bella and I told her about my problem. she told me not to worry about it,that she had a similar problem before and introduce me to a great man called Dr. TONY the love spell caster who cast a spell on his ex and bring him back to her after 2 days. Miss Bella ask me to contact Dr.TONY the love spell caster for help, which I did. I contacted him to help me bring back my husband and he ask me not to worry about it that the gods of his four fathers will fight for me. He told me by two days he will re-unite my husband and I together. it was just like a dream to me and After two days my husband called and told me he is coming back home to sought out things with me, I was surprise when I saw him and he started crying for forgiveness. Right now I am the happiest woman on earth for what this great spell caster did for me and my husband, you can contact Dr. TONY with his Email: drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com .He is the best spell caster who is very capable to help you, and his telephone number/whatssap number is +2348154900380 https://drtonylovespellcaster.blogspot.com Thank you once again Dr. TONY
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
HOW DOCTOR TONY FIXED MY BROKEN MARRIAGE AND BRING BACK MY EX HUSBAND, you can Email Him Via: (drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com) Call/WhatsApp: +2348154900380. Am Haley Christopher, am from Los Angeles CA, I want to share a testimony of my life to every one. i was married to one Mr Vega Smith, i love him so much and we have been married for the past 8 years now with three kids. when he went for a vacation in France he meant a lady called Vivian, so when he came back he told me that he is no longer interested in our relationship any more. i was so confuse and seeking for help everywhere, i didn't know what to do until I met my friend called miss Bella and I told her about my problem. she told me not to worry about it,that she had a similar problem before and introduce me to a great man called Dr. TONY the love spell caster who cast a spell on his ex and bring him back to her after 2 days. Miss Bella ask me to contact Dr.TONY the love spell caster for help, which I did. I contacted him to help me bring back my husband and he ask me not to worry about it that the gods of his four fathers will fight for me. He told me by two days he will re-unite my husband and I together. it was just like a dream to me and After two days my husband called and told me he is coming back home to sought out things with me, I was surprise when I saw him and he started crying for forgiveness. Right now I am the happiest woman on earth for what this great spell caster did for me and my husband, you can contact Dr. TONY with his Email: drtonylovespellcaster@gmail.com .He is the best spell caster who is very capable to help you, and his telephone number/whatssap number is +2348154900380 https://drtonylovespellcaster.blogspot.com Thank you once again Dr. TONY
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have dry skin so I do not need an astringent.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have been using Witch Hazel on and off since my teens, I usually use it when my face is misbehaving, then I change back to a toner.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Maybe i am way out of the loop these days ive never even heard of a astringent before.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Astringents have been used for a long time but I have never really heard anyone call them by that name. Have you ever heard of anyone who has acne use Witch Hazel or a toner which has alcohol or salicylic acid in it? If yes, then you have, you just didn't realise :)
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Ive got dry skin so Idon't need an astringent. I use a hydrating toner instead.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
My oily T-zone would benefit from this I think.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Never tried an astringent before and never really thought about using one. But this article has definitely helped!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Not overly fond of astringents. For my skin type, they’re really only appropriate as a spot treatment for the occasional blemish and since there are lots of dedicated products for that purpose now, it’s just not necessary. Astringents seem really “retro” to me as they were big for breakouts in the 80s-90s, but with all the spot treatments now, unless your skin is oily they just aren’t necessary.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I have used an astringent, I like the purifying properties that help clear my combination skin.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I use to use Clinique lotion number 2 and that was super strong
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I would like to try an astringent for anti bacterial properties.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
Too harsh for my sensitive skin; I use toner
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I’ve got dry skin, so I don’t use or need an astringent.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
When I was at school our gym teacher told us to use witch hazel to toughen our feet for walking. Since then I've never felt like it's something I'd want to put on my face!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
That is a turn off!
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I never realised the difference haha! I used to use witch hazel when I was younger maybe I need to start again.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I was thinking the same thing. But they don't always have it in store, last time I looked they were all out.
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
I've always used toners for my oil, blackhead prone skin. Should I swap to an astringent then (I previously thought they were one and the same) or do you use both?
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0
You can use both if you really like your toner and in that case you would apply your toner afterwards, but generally you need either one or the other not both.
If I am using an astringent then the toner is left on the bench, I never use both in one cleansing session.
Depending on your skin you may opt for astringent at night and toner in the morning...
- Log in or register to commentReply to comment
- Likes 0