How To Make Your Own Herbal Cosmetics - Toners and Astringents
Along with cleansing creams, a good foundation for all skin types are the astringents, toners, refreshers, and skin tonics. Their job is to remove all traces of the cleansing cream. They also tighten your pores, along with making your skin feel tingling clean.
The word astringent basically means any plant or substance that constricts body tissues (including skin) upon topical application. The word comes from the Latin "adstringere" which means to find fast.
Along with all that, toners are a great way to feel refreshed on hot days or for a quick cleanswer facial during the day.
Make a good enough one, and you'll find yourself reaching again and again, on the days when you need to feel awakened and relaxed.
It may surprise you to know that all the these are also astringents:
- Alum
- Bayberry
- Calamine lotion
- Oatmeal
- Rubbing alcohol
- Yarrow
- Witch Hazel
Most surprising of all and the most natural astringent known to science? Very cold water.
Additionally, it is important to know what kind of astringent works best for your type of skin. For example, those with rosewater in them, may be best for people with dry skin. Whereas, astringents for oily skins would be those with sage and alcohol as ingredients.
What's The Difference?
Some of us might wonder exactly what is the difference between a toner, an astringent, and a refresher, or a skin tonic?
- Astringent-- They are best for removing unwanted oils from skin and tightening up pores. Additionally, they improve circulation, lower PH levels, and clean. They should always be used BEFORE applying moisturizers.
- Toner -Toner is simply another terminology for an astringent.
- Refresher - Simply any astringent product that is generally alcohol free and that removes soap residue and surface oil. In other words, it too is another word for astringent.
- Skin Tonic - Again, not much difference, a skin tonic is also another name for an astringent type product.
Dry Skin - Rose Toner
From your garden: Rose petals
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rosewater
- 2/3 cup witch hazel
- 7 drops glycerin
- 1 handful crushed rose petals
Instructions:
- Gently heat rosewater and glycerin in double boiler
- Add crushed rose petals
- Turn off burner and allow to steep for 2 hours
- Add witch hazel
- Cool to room temperature
- Strain through cheesecloth
- Place in sterile bottle
- Refrigerate
- Shake well before each use
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 1 month if kept refrigerated
Cautions: Some individuals are allergic to witch hazel, be sure to test if you are not certain.
Other Types of Toners
Many different herbs and plants can be used for astringents. Some of the more popular are:
- Chamomile
- Cucumbers
- Elderflower
- Lavender
- Orange-flower
- Roses
- Sandalwood
Oily Skin - Western Sage Astringent
From your herb garden: Sage leaves
Ingredients:
- 6 handfuls of sage leaves, mashed (or use 4 tablespoons of dried sage leaves
- 5 tablespoons of vodka
- 1/2 teaspoon borax
- 3 tablespoons of witch hazel
- 12 drops of glycerin
Instructions:
- Macerate (Make Your Own Herbal Cosmetics - History and Basics) the sage in the vodka for three weeks
- Strain
- Dissolve the borax in the witch hazel
- Mix into alcohol
- Add glycerin drops
- Funnel into sterile bottles
- Cap tightly
- Refrigerate
- Always shake well before use
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 1 month if kept refrigerated
Cautions: Some individuals are allergic to witch hazel, be sure to test if you are not certain. Some individuals are allergic to sage, be sure to test if you are not certain.
How To Grow Sage
Everybody's Skin - Rosemary Astringent
From your herb garden: Rosemary (Works as a tonic and an antiseptic while improving circulation and deep cleaning); lemon; orange; mint leaves; and roses
Ingredients:
- 1 handful of crushed rosemary
- 2 tablespoons of finely grated lemon peel
- 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange peel
- 25 crushed mint leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon sodium benzoate
- 3/4 cup of rosewater
- 1/2 teaspoon brandy
Instructions:
- Boil mint leaves, lemon and orange peels for 30 minutes
- Cool to room temperature
- Add crushed rosemary, sodium benzoate, and brandy
- Blend everything until a smooth and liquid lotion
- Cool
- Funnel into bottles
- Refrigerate
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 1 month if kept refrigerated
Oily Skin - Lemon Lime Orange Astringent
From your garden: Lemon; lime; and orange
Ingredients:
- 2 lemons
- 2 limes
- 2 oranges
- 1 1/2 cups ethanol alcohol
Instructions:
- Slice lemons, limes, and oranges very very thin
- Gradually add to blender with ethanol alcohol
- Blend until you are satisfied with it as a thick paste
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 3 months if kept refrigerated
Dry Skin - Flowery Herb Tonic
From your flower garden and your herb garden: Lavender flowers (a healing and gentle tonic suitable for all skin types; and lemon verbena (a stimulating herb)
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of lavender flowers (or three handfuls of fresh of the same)
- 3 1/2 cups of distilled water
- 2 tablespoons of dried lemon verbena (or 3 handfuls of fresh ones)
Instructions:
- Mix lemon verbena and lavender flowers after cutting up into small pieces into double boiler
- Pour boiling distilled water over herbs and flowers
- Cover
- Allow to steep on very low heat for at least two hours
- Cool to room temperature
- Stain through cheese cloth
- Funnel into a sterile bottle
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 1 month if kept refrigerated
Everybody's Skin - Marigold Lemon Skin Tonic
From your garden: Marigold flowers and lemons
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of dried marigold (or 3 handfuls of fresh cut marigold flowers)
- 2 tablespoons of witch hazel
- 1 cup of lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups of distilled water
Instructions:
Place marigold flowers after cutting up into small pieces into double boiler Add lemon juice Pour boiling distilled water over flowers and lemon juice Cover Allow to steep on very low heat for at least two hours Cool to room temperature Add witch hazel Stain through cheese cloth Funnel into a sterile bottle
Note: Shelf life in refrigerator -- 1 month if kept refrigerated
Cautions: Some individuals are allergic to witch hazel, be sure to test if you are not certain.
Astringent Herbs
If You'd Like To Know More!
- Astringent Herbs
- Homemade Toner Recipe For Dry Skin | Beauty Secrets Revealed
Watermelon is an amazing fruit which can do wonders for your skin. I don't like to eat Watermelon but I definitely can't afford to ignore its amazing properties for healthy skin. So I use it sometimes when I feel my skin - Skin Tonic - Natural Skin Tonics - Homemade Skin Tonics
In this section we have included various natural skin tonics for you that are homemade but are very useful to nourish your skin. - Skin Toning, Natural skin toners, Natural Facial Toners