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:

1. Alum
2. Bayberry
3. Calamine lotion
4. Oatmeal
5. Rubbing alcohol
6. Yarrow
7. 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.

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.

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.

Many different herbs and plants can be used for astringents. Some of the more popular are:

• Chamomile
• Cucumbers
• Elderflower
• Lavender
• Orange-flower
• Roses
• Sandalwood

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.

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

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

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

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.