Skin Essences & Watery Lotions: Basically Toners, But Way Better

If the thought of toners reminds you of the smell of alcohol and the feeling of your skin drying out, you're not alone. Toners have pretty much earned their reputation for being harsh on the face. But, according to an article on YouBeauty, those days are over. The newest toners work completely differently from those of days past by actually hydrating and adding nutrients instead of stripping the skin.

As the article points out, though these are technically still toners, they're not labeled as such. For example, Clinique apparently categorizes its products as "watery lotions." Which makes sense: Taking notes from formulas that are popular in Asia, the new toners aren't for cleaning. Applied after cleansing, they're meant for "quenching."

Click through to YouBeauty to get the full scoop on how the new generation of toners does it differently, and let us know if you're reconsidering working this product into your routine. (YouBeauty)

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, $100, available at SK-II.