Many of you keen Valley Misters might already know that our Alcohol Free Micellar Water & Toners are both a micellar water and a toner in one bottle — but do you know exactly what this means? You might be wondering: can you use micellar water as a toner? What's the difference between micellar water and toner? And do you really need both in your skincare routine? Hopefully this post will help to shine a light on some of these mysteries.
At Valley Mist, our Toners are formulated to do both jobs in one bottle — micellar cleansing and toning — so you only ever need one product on your shelf. But to understand why that matters, it helps to understand what each one actually does.
What is Micellar Water?
Micellar water is used to very gently remove makeup, grease, and pollution from the face and neck. However, it does not do anything beyond this — it will not tighten pores or clear breakouts on its own, unless something has been specifically added for those purposes. Nonetheless, micellar water can help to prevent breakouts simply by clearing away many of the substances that sit on your skin and can cause spots.
So, does micellar water work as a toner? The short answer is no — not on its own.
How Often Should You Use Micellar Water?
This is entirely up to you and will depend on your skin type and preferences. There are no harsh chemicals in micellar water, so there's no harm in using it in the morning as a gentle cleanser and in the evening to remove makeup.
What is Toner?
Toner is used both to remove any leftover grease and pollution from the face, and to tighten the pores. So in part it shares some of the same functions as micellar water — but micellar water does not provide the same tightening effect and is a much gentler cleanser. The two are not interchangeable.
Over the years, toner has built up a reputation for being harsh on the skin, largely due to the use of alcohol to create that astringent, tightening feel. Some brands still use alcohol in their toners, but many — including us at Valley Mist — have moved away from it entirely. You may notice 'benzyl alcohol' listed in our ingredients; this is a preservative that occurs naturally in essential oils, present at a very low level, safety-tested as a leave-on product, and not the same type of alcohol used to create skin-tightening effects.
Importantly, all of our witch hazel and floral waters are steam-distilled here in the UK, meaning they contain 0% alcohol — cutting down on carbon footprint at the same time.
How Often Should You Use Toner?
Generally once or twice a day — morning and/or evening. Unlike micellar water which can be rinsed off, toner should be left on the skin to work beneath your moisturiser and other products for maximum effect.
Valley Mist Toners: Micellar Water and Toner in One
Here at Valley Mist we're all about simplifying and not overcomplicating — why use two separate products when you can use one? Our Toners combine the gentle cleansing power of micellar water with the pore-tightening, skin-balancing benefits of toner, all in a single alcohol-free bottle. One product, one step, kinder to your skin and your wallet.
All of our Toners are vegan and registered with The Vegan Society. Here's how to find the right one for your skin type:
Toner for Combination Skin — from £4.00
Our most popular option. Contains witch hazel, lemon, and geranium — gentle yet astringent, with a wonderfully refreshing feel that's perfect for waking up the skin in the morning.
Men's Alcohol Free Toner for Combination Skin — £6.50
Also designed for combination skin, with witch hazel and black pepper for a more masculine, invigorating scent. Of course, all our products are gender neutral — our men's range simply tends towards bolder, more grounding fragrances.
Toner for Normal to Dry Skin — from £4.00
Made with luxurious neroli and steam-distilled English lavender oil and floral water, this is our most soothing option — a genuinely spa-like experience for drier skin types.
Toner for Oily Skin — from £4.00
Still gentle on the skin, but antibacterial and slightly more astringent. Contains cleansing tea tree floral waters alongside lemongrass and juniper — ideal for oily or breakout-prone skin.
Men's Alcohol Free Toner for All Skin Types — £6.50
A versatile option with a warm, grounding sandalwood scent. Suitable for all skin types and a great everyday toner for those who prefer a more neutral, woody fragrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use micellar water as a toner?
Not quite — micellar water cleanses gently but doesn't tighten pores or balance skin the way a toner does. Valley Mist Toners combine both functions in one bottle, so you get the gentle cleansing of micellar water and the skin-balancing benefits of toner in a single step.
What is the difference between micellar water and toner?
Micellar water removes makeup, grease, and pollution. Toner does this too, but also tightens pores and helps balance the skin. Valley Mist Toners are formulated to do both, making them a genuinely multi-tasking skincare essential.
Are Valley Mist Toners alcohol-free?
Yes — none of our Toners contain alcohol for toning purposes. Our witch hazel and floral waters are steam-distilled in the UK and contain 0% alcohol. You may see benzyl alcohol listed as a preservative — this occurs naturally in essential oils and is not the same as skin-drying toning alcohol.
Which Valley Mist Toner is best for sensitive skin?
Our Toner for Normal to Dry Skin (£4.00–£10.00) is our gentlest option, made with neroli and English lavender floral water. It's soothing, hydrating, and ideal for sensitive or dry skin types.
Are Valley Mist Toners vegan?
Yes — all Valley Mist Toners are vegan and registered with The Vegan Society.
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