It may be tempting to wash your face, smear on a lotion and call it Skincare. But don’t be so quick to pass on that middle step: Toner.

What could a few swipes of a damp cotton ball really do for your epidermis? You’d be surprised! Some experts think toner is the most-often overlooked treatment for those battling acne or clogged pores. That liquid exists to take your skin to the next level.

First of all, toner cleans the skin one step further than a cleanser. Wiping down your face and neck with toner removes any remaining dirt, oil, pollution and even chlorine and minerals that are present in tap water.

Additionally, toner closes up pores and tightens cell gaps after cleansing, which not only gives skin a smoother look, but protects pores from environmental impurities.

Toners are especially important for acne-prone skin, because excessive oiliness is the enemy of clear skin.

Clearogen’s Clarifying Toner contains 1% Salicylic Acid, an exfoliant that functions by getting deep into each pore and eradicating dirt, oil, and bacteria. Additionally, botanical ingredients like Comfrey, Chamomile, and Rosemary help soothe inflammation, reduce redness, and nourishes skin.

Some hesitate to use a toner out of fear of dryness. Sometimes toner can indeed be a bit too good at clearing out oil. Fortunately, Clearogen fans often rave about how well the toner balances their skin. That said, some Clearogen users find that reducing the frequency of use to every other day works better for them.

So, grab that cotton round, saturate it with toner and give your skin the deep clean and nourishment it deserves. Those extra ten seconds in your routine could mean the difference between an assortment of pimples or clear, glowing skin.