Best Home-made Herbal Toners for Dry Skin
Herbal toners for dry skin are quick and easy to make at home. Preparing them yourself is the best way to ensure that they contain only pure, beneficial ingredients. Natural, home-made cosmetics are becoming increasingly popular as we learn more of the health and environmental risks of many chemicals routinely used by the beauty industry.
The effect of all cosmetics depends on the skin’s ability to absorbs whatever we put on its surface. Chemicals contained in cosmetics not only nourish (or poison) the skin, but quickly make their way into the blood stream. Considering this, all ingredients contained in cosmetics must be high quality, useful, fresh and ideally organic.
Benefits of herbal toners for dry skin
Toner is a basic cosmetic product that helps to improve the condition of the skin. Natural herbal toners offer numerous benefits:
- they clean the skin, removing dirt and traces of makeup
- they moisturize the skin, help to maintain its natural protective barrier and prevent the loss of moisture
- they contain minerals, fats and biochemicals that nourish the skin
- they contain anti-oxidants that reduce the damage caused by aging, sun and pollution
- toners containing acidic ingredients, such as, for example, fruit and vegetable juices, gently exfoliate the skin
- toners, containing ingredients that stop the growth of bacteria, such as honey, parsley or yarrow, act as antiseptics
- herbal toners heal the skin and reduce inflammation
- they are free of chemicals, such as preservatives, that do nothing for the skin and may be dangerous for health or the environment; home-made toners contain nothing you would not be able to eat.
As a result of all this, toners improve the colour and condition of the skin and help to minimize the effects of aging. They are easy and enjoyable to use and often have a delicious smell due to their fresh floral and herbal ingredients. Their use therefore contributes to the sense of relaxation and well-being.
Rules for making herbal toners
1. Both dry and fresh herbs can be used to make toners. If using dry herbs, make sure that they are not past their ‘best before’ date. It is generally recommended not to keep dry herbs for more than a year. Keeping them longer makes them less effective.
2. If using fresh herbs, use twice the quantity recommended in recipes below.
3. Use organic ingredients whenever possible. For example, if using wild plants such as yarrow or chamomile, collect them away from busy roads and settlements. Avoid plants growing next to agricultural fields where pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers are used.
If using garden flowers, fruit and vegetables, make sure that they have not been sprayed, waxed or exposed to harmful chemicals in some other way.
4. Use only soft water in cosmetics. Medical research has shown that hard water causes dryness and irritation, and increases the incidence of inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and rosacea. If the water in your area is hard, use bottled spring water with low mineral content.
5. When making and storing herbal cosmetics, do not use containers that can react with the natural ingredients. It is best to avoid plastic and metal containers. Ideally, use glass containers designed for food preparation.
6. Since natural cosmetics do not have any preservatives, they need to be kept in a fridge.
7. Use home-made toners that contain no alcohol within a week. Most would lose their effectiveness or go bad if kept longer. Changing cosmetics regularly is also beneficial for the skin — they become less effective if used for a long time.
8. Make sure that you are not allergic to the ingredients, such as citrus fruits, strawberries and other. When trying something new, it is best to make a test. Put a small amount of toner on a wrist and wait for 48 hours.
Recipes of herbal toners for dry skin
1. Vegan floral toner for all skin types
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp linden blossom
- 0.5 tbsp chamomile flowers
- 0.5 tbsp yarrow leaves and flowers
- 0.25 tbsp mint leaves
- 1 glass of boiling water
Method
Put herbs in a container and add 1 glass of boiling water. Close the container with a lid and cover it with towels or a blanket to keep it warm for longer. Leave for 2-3 hours until the liquid cools. Strain. Keep in a fridge and use in the morning and evening.
Linden blossom and chamomile are powerful antioxidants that slow down the aging of the skin. Yarrow and mint reduce inflammation, act as antiseptics and promote healing.
2. Fruit juice toner for all skin types
Mix equal quantities of watermelon, black currant, plum and peach juice.
This is an excellent toner that refreshes and energizes skin. Fruit juices are a source of numerous vitamins. Black currant in particular is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, an important antioxidant. Peach is naturally moisturizing — according to recent research, it contains biochemicals that ‘improve water retention and skin permeability functions‘. Fruit juices also contain natural acids that gently exfoliate the skin.
3. Linden blossom and honey toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbsp linden blossom
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 glass of boiling water
Method
Put linden blossom in a container and add 1 glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to cool. Strain. Add honey.
This toner is particularly good for aging skin. Linden blossom is a powerful antioxidant. Honey moisturizes, heals and gently exfoliates the skin. Medical research shows that it slows down aging.
4. Camomile and parsley toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbsp chamomile flowers
- 1.5 tbsp parsley
- 1 glass boiling water
Method
Put parsley and chamomile in a container and add 1 glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to cool. Strain.
Parsley is very rich in vitamins and stimulates the production of collagen. Chamomile is a powerful anti-oxidant.
5. Tea and fruit or vegetable juice toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp freshly brewed tea
- 1 tbsp fruit or vegetable juice
- 1 glass of soft water
Method
Brew black or green tea, using 1 tsp of leaves per cup. When the tea cools, add three tablespoons of the brew to a glass of soft water. Then add a tablespoon of seasonal fruit of vegetable juice. Freshly squeezed apple, plum, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, orange or carrot are all great. Tea reduces inflammation, promotes healing and is a powerful natural antioxidant. Fruit juices exfoliate and nourish the skin with vitamins.
6. Cucumber toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp finely grated cucumber
- 1 tbsp pouring cream
- 1 glass of boiling water
Method
Put 4 tbsp of finely grated cucumber in a container and add a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave for 4 hours. Strain. Add cream.
Cucumber reduces puffiness and inflammation. It gently exfoliates the skin, promotes healing and reduces the signs of aging due to its antioxidant properties. According to recent research, ‘cucumbers fortify cells so they may retain hydrated and work at the highest levels, and may slow age-related cellular deteriorations’.
6. Rose toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- petals of one rose
- 1 glass of boiling water
Method
Put rose petals in a container and add a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to infuse until cool. Strain.
Rose water and rose oil are widely used in anti-aging cosmetics. Rose is rich in antioxidants, heals and hydrates the skin.
7. Oat toner for dry skin
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp porridge oats
- 1 glass of boiling water
Method
Put oats in a container and add a glass of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to cool. Strain.
Oats have powerful soothing an moisturizing properties. They help to maintain the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Image credits: linden blossom by Mick Talbot; peaches by skyseeker; cucumber by born1945.
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