DO YOU REALLY NEED FACIAL TONER?
WHAT IS A TONER ANYWAY?
A toner’s function is to thoroughly clean your skin—removing the dust, pollution, and impurities that can still be lingering after washing with a cleanser.
Most toners are water-based liquids composed of specific ingredients including plant extracts and essential oils, tailored to address a variety of skin types. Mainly there are hydrating toners, calming and soothing toners, and astringent toners.
Like almost all your other beauty care needs, you do not need to worry about buying super expensive chemical-laden products. Just walk over to your kitchen and there you have it!
Here are some of the toners that are very effective. Try one at a time and stick to it for at least a week. If you feel like it irritates or dries your skin, discontinue using it and try a different one, until you find what works best for you.
Here we go…
Mint Water
Pour 1.5 liter of hot water over mint leaves; cover and let them soak for 10 minutes. Strain this mixture and let it cool down. Use this preparation with cotton pads on your face to cleanse and tone it.
Rose Water
Rose water is a great toner for all skin types. Apply some rose water onto cotton pads and use it on your face, neck and hands 3 to 4 times during the day. Add a few drops of camphor to the water and it becomes a magical treatment for acne.
Vinegar + Rose Water
Vinegar and rose water mixed together form a great toner. Mix equal amounts of the both ingredients and wipe your face with the mixture once every day.
Green Tea
Steep green tea leaves in water for ten minutes. Strain the leaves out and apply the water to your skin with cotton pads. Try this facial toner in the morning and have smooth skin all day long.
Witch Hazel + Apple Cider Vinegar + Lavender Essential Oil
This toner is very effective for oily skin type. Take 2-3 cups of witch hazel, add 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar and 7 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix well and store in a glass bottle in the refrigerator. Apply on your skin once or twice daily. Witch hazel is a great astringent; apple cider vinegar maintains the PH balance of your skin; and lavender oil soothes the sensitive skin. Apple cider vinegar by itself is also a great toner, but avoid it if you have acne as it might sting.
Cucumber Juice
Juice a cucumber and store it in a bottle in the refrigerator. Apply on your skin with a cotton pad twice a day. It works great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. It might leave a thin white coating on your skin so wash your face before stepping out of the house.
Note: Alcohol is usually found in astringent toners for oily skin. Their function is to dry out the skin and be especially anti-bacterial—but you don’t want to use those excessively because it will over-dry the skin.
Have you tried any of these toners?
Which one is your favorite?
