Yes, you can skip toner and use serum. While both toners and serums offer skincare benefits, they serve different purposes and one is not a necessary prerequisite for the other. A serum will provide more substantial benefits to your skin than a toner if you had to choose only one. Many sources confirm that toner is optional in a skincare routine.
Why Toner Isn't Always Necessary
Many skincare experts agree that a basic skincare routine focusing on cleansing, serum application, and moisturizing is entirely sufficient. Toners, while beneficial for some, aren't essential for healthy skin. Their purpose often overlaps with other products, such as cleansers which already remove impurities and excess oil. The choice of whether to include a toner ultimately depends on individual skin needs and preferences. If your skin doesn't require the additional benefits a toner provides (like balancing pH or delivering specific actives), you can skip it without impacting the effectiveness of your serum.
- Reddit discussions on Korean beauty and general skincare frequently confirm that toner is optional (https://www.reddit.com/r/beautytalkph/comments/jekq4o/hi_can_we_have_a_discussion_if_toner_is_a/, https://www.reddit.com/r/KoreanBeauty/comments/j914pu/question_is_it_ok_if_i_dont_use_a_toner_in_a/, https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/w3x2rb/if_you_had_to_would_you_rather_go_without_toners/) corroborate this view.
- Quora answers consistently indicate that toner is not a requirement for using serum or moisturizer (https://www.quora.com/Can-I-use-serum-without-a-toner, https://www.quora.com/Can-I-apply-moisturizer-without-applying-toner, https://www.quora.com/Can-I-skip-serum-and-use-moisturizer).
- Expert opinions emphasize that serums offer more significant skin benefits compared to toners. Therefore, if forced to choose, serums should be prioritized ([Reference 1]).
Important Considerations
- Ensure your skin is clean before applying the serum.
- The order of application (cleanser, serum, moisturizer) is standard, irrespective of toner use.
