Toners have a wide variety of uses - from exfoliating, hydrating, mopping up any makeup your cleanser missed, tightening pores, freshening up your skin and brightening your complexion - ignore the toning step at your peril!  I found my skin improved vastly with the introduction of a toner - less clogged pores and brighter, more radiant skin.  Here's my top picks from the wide array of toners out there.  Try and buy one that's not a clarifying toner - unless you have pretty oily skin it will just dry it out - these comforting toners will do the same job without the astringent feel.

The clinical one

Strivectin SD Instant Retexturising Scrub

The niacin containting particules in the scrub are neatly parcelled up in little spheres of jojoba to deliver optimum levels of the micro-nutrient to your skin when it is most receptive.   Niacin applied topically has been clinically proven to protect and repair itself from sun damage and aging.   With continued use, the complexion becomes brighter, more toned, and more evenly textured.
For a more indepth, scientific look at Nia-114 and what it can do for your skin - please read HERE

The eco-friendly one....

Brightening Exfoliator by Green People - £16.25 - 50ml

A rich, creamy daily exfoliator which gently eases away dead skin cells and unblocks pores with delicate granules of cranberry and Bambusa extract.  Working to combat loss of radiance this skin softening formula promotes a bright and radiant complexion, leaving skin restored. Lightly scented with organic lemon, mandarin and fairly traded ginger.

A delightyfully scented scrub with smooth particles that do not irritate or scratch the skin

The one for sun damage

Nia-24 Physical cleansing scrub - £29.00

As well as delivering essential micronutrients to the skin, this Niacin rich scrub also contains sunflower oil for instant hydration, oat and chamomile to smooth and reduce redness and sage to calm and destress skin.  The Pro-Niacin molecule is designed to help the skin rebuild recondition from the inside out.

Nia-24 is available exclusively from Space NK 

The "great-value for money" one

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Exfoliator - £8.00

Even suitable for sensitive skin, the Body Shop produces a wonderfully effective scrub that smells great, has a creamy base and no scratchy pieces  It is ideal for throwing in your gym bag, using in the shower or taking on holiday.  Remember - an good exfoliate will actually prolong a tan!

The "two-in-one" one

Origins Modern Friction

Although technically a microdermabrasion product - this makes a fantastic once weekly exfoliator. Its thick, porridge like application allows you to really work it into the skin and then use water to foam.  Leaves skin incredibly smooth - no blotchiness.

Skin-refining Rice Starch cushioned in cream, rapidly removes sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolourations.  Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination. Vitamin C mops up skin-menacing free radicals.  Skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous