Skin Toners for Spring
Happy Spring --I am sharing some of my favorite skin toner recipes this week. Let me know what you think and if there are other topics or products you would like me to share just pop me a note.
Toners are an important part of your natural skin care routine. They cleanse the surface of your face and help remove surface impurities, dead cells, tighten pores and restore the skin’s natural pH level after cleansing. Toners are normally the second step in daily skin care. After washing your face a toner or astringent product is applied to the skin by either splashing, or the use of cotton pads. The difference between a skin freshener, toner and astringent is alcohol content. Fresheners are mainly water and astringents contain alcohol. Toning products are applied after you wash your face and before you use your moisturizer. These products make sure that your skin is clean. The cleaner the surface of your skin, the more efficient it is at absorbing and retaining moisture. Clean skin is healthy skin. The most cost effective and popular toner or freshener is pure, cool water. Yes, your mother was right splashing your face with cold water after cleansing is a good thing and will keep your complexion healthy. Another mild astringent or toner is pure, old fashioned witch hazel. Made from the witch hazel plant, it is a gentle yet effective astringent that tones and tightens the skin. Other popular natural toners are green tea, apple juice and diluted lemon juice. If you have sensitive or dry skin, your should limit the use of products with a high alcohol content or dilute them with water. Here are some recipes you can easily make at home to keep your complexion radiant:
Strawberry Leaf Toner
The leaf of the strawberry plant are often overlooked and discarded but they actually contain four times the amount of vitamin C of oranges. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and beneficial to healthy skin keeping it clean and clear. Strawberry leaves also dry very easily so you can enjoy their benefits year round.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons dried strawberry leaves or 1 /3 cup fresh leaves
1 /4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 /4 cup water
Directions:
Place the leaves and vinegar in a glass or ceramic container and let sit overnight. Strain the mixture and discard any solids. Add the water and stir well. To use: Apply to your skin after cleansing with a clean cotton pad. Note: If you feel the solution is too strong for your complexion you may add more water.
Yield: 4 ounces
Honey Toner
Honey is a very versatile cosmetic product and is a know skin healer and softener. If you have a breakout a small dab of honey in the evening will help it heal. This toner is especially well suited for individuals with troubled or skin that breaks out easily.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoon witch hazel
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together and stir well. Pour into a clean container. To use: Apply to clean skin after cleansing with a clean cotton pad. Note: This toner may feel a bit sticky at first, the stickiness tends to disappear the longer the solution sits. At first you may want to splash a bit of cold water on your face after using.
Yield: 2 ounces
Lavender Skin Freshener
Lavender oil made from fresh flowers is a well known antiseptic and cosmetic ingredient. Known for its calming scent this recipe can be used as a facial freshener and all over body splash after bathing.
Essential oil of lavender is easily found at most natural food stores in the skin care section.
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons witch hazel
2-3 drops essential oil of lavender
1 /2 teaspoon honey
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together and stir well. Pour into a clean container. To use: Apply to your face using a clean cotton pad or spray and splash onto your skin after bathing.
Yield: 2 ounces
You are beautiful ! xoxo Janice