Health & Beauty Recipes > Skin Care > Toners and Toning

PLEASE NOTE:

Although all the ingredients in these beauty recipes are natural, remember that it is still possible to be allergic to anything applied to the skin. DO NOT USE ANYTHING NUT BASED ON YOUR SKIN IF YOU HAVE A NUT ALLERGY. To test other ingredients make up a very small amount of the recipe you intend to use. Wash and gently dry a small patch of skin inside your elbow. Apply a little of the mix to the skin and leave for 48 hours. If you experience any redness or swelling DO NOT USE THE BEAUTY RECIPE AT ALL.

Please read Herbal Safety Guidelines before trying any of these recipes, since some ingredients should be avoided by certain groups of people.

Many essential oils and herbs should always be avoided by pregnant/nursing ladies. Check with a qualified health advisor if in doubt.

Toners and Toning:

Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs offers a wide range of dried herbs and spices.


Traditionally in England on the first of May young girls used to wash their faces in the dew early in the morning. This was supposed to keep them beautiful for the whole of the following year. May dew was by no means the first example of using cool liquid to improve the complexion. In the 13th century rose water was made in huge quantities in the middle east and it must have been made even earlier because it is an ingredient of Galen’s cold cream. Waters made from lavender and orange flower, both still available today are also examples of ancient formulae. The Romans certainly made great use of lavender as a bath herb. Other famous ancient waters include Water of the Forty Thieves, Queen of Hungary Water, Virgin’s Milk, Water without Equal, Water of Jasmine, Water of Elderflower and even Water of English Lettuce.

The purpose of all these Waters was to refresh, perfume and cleanse the skin. Today waters, toners, fresheners and astringents are still used as part of the facial beauty routine. Usually toner is used on a pad of damp cotton wool after the application of a cleansing cream or lotion. Wiped over the skin the toner helps to remove the last traces of dirt and dead cells from the skin.

Modern formulations are more complex than the earlier waters and are usually designed for specific types of skin. For example, astringents for greasy skin usually contain alcohol whereas toners for spotty skin usually contain an antiseptic ingredient. Gentler toners or fresheners for sensitive skins can contain glycerine or rosewater. After cleansing the skin may have lost some of its acid mantle and a slightly acid toner such as elderflower water or orange flower water can help to restore the normal pH balance.

It is often thought that astringents can actually close open pores. This is not true but a good cleansing routine will help to keep the pores free of dead skin and sebum. A blocked pore is more likely to become stretched so thorough cleansing can help to improve the general appearance of the skin without actually tightening the pores. Toning makes the skin feel cool and fresh, ready for the last of the three stages of cleansing - moisturising.

The most important thing to remember when buying a toner is that it should be the correct one for your skin type. If you use a product that is too harsh for your skin type it can cause dryness and irritation. Usually it is best to buy cleanser, toner and moisturiser in one brand and if you are going for an expensive make buy it from a specialist shop where you can get advice and hopefully a few free samples to help you make up your mind!


Queen of Hungary Water


Ingredients

1/2oz lavender flowers
1oz roemary flowers
pinch juniper leaves
3ml camphor essential oil
1 pint dry white wine

Method

- Put all the ingredients into a jar with an air tight lid.
- Shake well every day for a week.
- Strain.
- Store in dark glass, airtight containers in a dark cool place.


See also:

The Green Chronicle Directory's page on Toners and Toning