Clean skin is key to healthy skin and finding the right facial cleanser and toner should be the first step in any new skincare regimen.

The first step in any skincare routine should be cleansing—it is vital to removing build up on the skin.

Throughout the day, the skin on our face is continually covered with bacteria, pollutants, viruses, dirt and dead skin cells. Washing the face with the right cleanser not only removes all of these impurities, it clears away dead skin cells, unclogs pore, and leaves the skin felling fresh and prepped for the next steps in your skincare routine. Everyone should be washing their face twice a day, both in the morning and at night.

Cleansers come in many forms–gels, creams, foams, waters, even oils. Finding the right one depends on your skin type. Pili Ani’s NEW Gentle Facial Cleanser is infused with Elemi Oil which is not only antibacterial and antiseptic, it is low pH making it ideal for almost all skin types. It wipes off grime and deep-seated residue while still keeping the skin moisturized and hydrated.

Once the face is cleansed, using a facial toner can help open the pores and allow the rest of a skincare regimen—serums, moisturizers and other post face cleansing treatments—to be fully effective.

Historically, toners were used as a way to balance the pH of the skin after using alkaline soaps for cleansing. But today’s facial cleansers tend to be gentler and pH balanced which has allowed toners to become a new skincare category all their own. Today’s facial toners not only prep the skin for serums and moisturizers, but they also get rid of any excess oil as well as stubborn dirt or makeup left behind after cleansing. Toners can also provide hydration and even soothe the skin.

When it comes to picking the right toner for your face, you should look for one that has active ingredients that work with your specific skin needs. Pili Ani’s NEW Purifying Toner contains Elemi Oil which helps smooth the complexion while balancing out the skin’s natural oils. Like all of Pili Ani products, the toner is free from SLS and parabens.

Toners should be used after washing the face and before moving on to serums and moisturizers. Toners should be used morning and night but if you have sensitive skin that is dry or irritated easily, start with once a day or even every other day and increase use as your skin allows.

Each step of a skincare regimen has a specific role to help you achieve healthy skin. Make sure you are being consistent and follow the steps in the correct order to get the most benefits from each step of your skincare routine. Your skin will thank you for it!