The best natural vitamin C toner for radiant skin

The role of the humble toner in a skincare regime has changed in recent years, but the mantra ‘cleanse, tone, and moisturise’ is as relevant as ever in the quest to reveal a radiant complexion.

A generation ago, toners had a high alcohol content, with the purpose of removing traces of cleanser and drying out pores. The problem is, these alcohol-based toners were incredibly drying for the skin – which is bad news, even for oily and acne-prone skin.

The next generation of toners serve a different purpose – to prepare the skin for the next phase of your skincare regime: serums and moisturisers.

A toner should be water-rich, packed with nourishing ingredients to replenish the skin after cleansing, and gentle exfoliants to help remove dead skin cells

The difference between chemical and physical exfoliation

While chemical exfoliation may sound like a harsh skincare step, it simply describes a product that uses active ingredients to help remove dead skin cells. This promotes a faster turnover of new skin cells, targeting dullness and revealing a bright and glowing complexion.

Physical exfoliants (think scrubs and polishes) manually remove dead skin cells using a product with a slightly gritty texture.

Chemical exfoliants encourage a gentle shedding of the uppermost epidermal cells, causing new skin cells to emerge. It’s easy to overdo it with physical exfoliation, either by using an exfoliant that is too abrasive, or by exfoliating too vigorously or too often.

The best active ingredients in a toner

Achieve an instant brightening boost and reduce pigmentation with Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner from Antipodes®.

The stand-out radiance-enhancing toner brings together three key active ingredients usually reserved for our highest-performing skincare. Sustainable Kakadu plum, with 100 times the vitamin C of oranges, is revered for its brightening and protective properties.

Tone-correcting peptides help to inhibit the onset of pigmentation, while lime caviar, with gentle AHAs, delivers a lit-from-within glow.

Natural vitamin C from Kakadu plum

Vitamin C from the Australian superfruit Kakadu plum – with 100x the vitamin C of oranges – helps to reduce the effects of free radical damage, which can result in dark spots, dull skin, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. The antioxidant-rich ingredient also helps to lift lifeless skin cells and allow radiant, even-toned skin to shine through.

Tone-correcting peptides to target pigmentation

Melanostatine™ 5 is a scientifically proven* tone-correcting peptide that helps inhibit pigmentation. It reduces pigmentation by helping to block the synthesis of melanin – the substance that gives skin its colour – to help diminish discolouration and cultivate brighter skin. Too much melanin can result in dark spots, age spots, and uneven skin tone.

Lime caviar contains natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) from hand-picked finger limes to boost radiance.

AHAs stimulate cell renewal by breaking down old collagen fibres to make way for new ones, to foster a smoother, more radiant complexion.

Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner joins Antipodes’ Skin-Brightening range to target pigmentation, dullness, and signs of ageing. Glory is certified vegan and suited to all skin types, with a refreshing pure plant fragrance of fig and feijoa.

After cleansing with Gospel Vitamin C Skin-Glow Gel Cleanser, pour Glory into the palm of your hand and apply directly to face, neck, and décolletage. To further enhance your glow, follow with Antipodes® Glow Vitamin C Brightening Serum, Antipodes® Kiwi Seed Gold Luminous Eye Cream, and Antipodes® Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream.

*Lucas Meyer Cosmetics.