Note: I no longer use or recommend Mario Badescu products. They have far too many carcinogens, and have been deemed dangerous by the state of California.

Battle of the Toners:
Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion
& Clarins Toning Lotion for Combination Skin

Until fairly recently, I hadn't used toner for several years. Shocking, I know. I suppose I justified it by the fact that I no longer wear foundation or powder so I didn't think toning was necessary. Wrong. I noticed an immediate improvement the moment I started using it again. It tightens pores, removes excess cleanser left behind, and prepares the skin for other treatments. When I wore foundation and powder makeup, I used toner to ensure all makeup was removed and so my pores wouldn't get clogged. It's frightening what some cleansers can leave behind. Regardless what your skin type or whether or not you wear foundation, it's imperative to keep pores clean. So I've reincorporated toner into my regimen, and here's what I've tried. 

I started with Mario Badescu because many of my readers have asked for more reasonably priced skincare. I think this brand has several great products, and others love the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion so I gave it a try. From the first application on cotton rounds (Swisspers Cotton Rounds), I felt the harsh astringent component. While this is a component of pretty much all toners for combination skin, ingredients matter. Alcohol is the second ingredient in this product, and I definitely felt the sting of old school astringents. I think perhaps this would be beneficial during a breakout, but certainly not suitable for daily use by me. It's just too stripping and harsh for my skin on a daily basis. 

(click photo to enlarge)

Clarins has recently been making a comeback for me. It's one of those brands that does a few products incredibly well, and one of their best-sellers is their toner. They offer the basics for sensitive, dry/normal, and combination/oily skin as well as one for more mature or damaged skin. I've been using the combination/oily toner, and absolutely love it. Coming from the Mario Badescu toner, I immediately noticed that it's far gentler and soothing. It has a light somewhat floral/botanical scent which I found pleasant. This toner also has astringent properties, but they're in the form of more natural, plant-based ingredients like sage, guava and aloe. I knew instantly that this was my new toner, and banished the Mario Badescu toner to the "maybe I'll try this again sometime" drawer. To be fair, Mario Badescu offers other toners, including an alcohol-free Aloe Vera Toner. 

My verdict? I struck gold with this Clarins Toning Lotion, and really enjoy using it morning and night. I think the Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion would be fantastic for anyone with acne, and/or needing a stronger astringent. 

- Clarins Toning Lotion for Combination/Oily Skin is $22 for 6.8 oz.

- Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion is $15 for 8 oz. 

Available at Nordstrom.