Esme Benjamin is a contributing writer for PEOPLE based in New York City. Having written about beauty for many years, she knows her way around an ingredients list and is adept at sifting through marketing speak to find products that really work.

With so many products in your skincare routine , it’s tempting to skip toner, but here’s why you shouldn’t: “Toner helps remove lingering residue after cleansing, brings the skin back to its natural pH (it can be disrupted by water and cleansers), and allows everything that follows such as serums, moisturizers, and SPF to work more effectively,” Dr. Sarah Allen, MD , board-certified physician and founder of Skin Clique, tells PEOPLE. “From a clinical perspective, restoring the skin’s barrier function and pH balance is key because a disrupted

See Full Page