My issue with store bought toner, though, is that it's packed with tons of chemicals, chief of which is normally a fairly common chemical- alcohol. This is the same alcohol that's underneath your bathroom sink for sterilizing purposes. Don't get me wrong, alcohol is extremely refreshing on the skin. It cools the skin and closes the pores. But, it also evaporates almost immediately after being placed on the skin, and it has extreme drying properties on the skin. Alcohol is the least of your worries with store bought toner (when discussing chemicals), but that's the same for almost any skin care product. So, I make my own, and now you'll have the recipe for the newest, best toner I've made!
Refreshing, Pore Tightening Toner:
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 1/2 cup brewed green tea
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 5 drops spearmint essential oil (or as much oil as you'd like)
All you have to do is mix it all together!
Why I Chose Each Ingredient
Witch Hazel:
Witch Hazel is a centuries old remedy for skin. It is a great astringent, which simply means that it contracts pores and capillary muscles in the skin. It is known for its fantastic anti-inflammatory properties, meaning that it will calm the face and give you lovely skin. This age-old herb solution is cooling, refreshing, and perfect to remove all the excess dirt, oils, and grime from your face after cleansing it.
Green Tea:
Green Tea's health benefits have been fairly well studied and documented. This tea, made from immature "black tea" leaves are high in polyphenols and antioxidants which combat free radicals in the body. Free radicals are the substances most responsible for aging and cancers. When green tea is used in toner, these antioxidants and polyphenols soothe the skin and help eliminate the presence of free radicals in the skin. Also, green tea has been shown to have properties that help protect against UV damage from the sun. Studies have shown that the antioxidants help prevent sunburn in the first place rather than reversing the damage after the fact. Lastly, brewed green tea contains approximately 30-50 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the brand of tea you use. This caffeine stimulates the skin to brighten up and allows the capillary veins in the face to "wake up" so to speak. However, this will not wake you up if you use it at night, so sleep issues should not be a concern with this toner.
Lemon Juice:
As mentioned before, DO NOT use any product with citrus oils/juices during the day because it will magnify the sun's rays onto your skin. Now, on to the benefits of lemon juice! Lemon juice is known to lighten and brighten the skin. It diminishes the appearance of scars and dark spots. It helps heal acne due to its antibacterial properties, and due to this, it also decreases the amount of blackheads on the skin. Next, the citric acid in lemon juice acts as a mild and gentle skin peel that exfoliates the top layer of the skin. When used regularly, the lemon juice will improve the quality of skin, leaving you with soft, supple, and moisturized skin. Lastly, just like witch hazel, lemon juice is high in astringent and toning properties.
Spearmint Essential Oil:
I mostly chose this oil because the smell is extremely refreshing, however its properties are highly beneficial for skin. First off, it is an antiseptic and is antispasmodic. This simply means that it keeps the skin clean and also provides intense relaxation. Spearmint oil contains menthol which is why it reduces spasms and induces relaxation and a cooling effect on the nerves and muscles. At nighttime, I'm always in need of a little relaxation to soothe me into bedtime, so this oil was a perfect choice for my toner. If you prefer another oil, feel free to substitute it into the recipe! Lavender, clove oil, and peppermint are all great choices. I personally believe that spearmint is the best, but the others will suit the recipe just fine. Take caution in adding the essential oils though, because their aroma is extremely strong due to the volatility of the oils. You should start with a few drops of the oil and work your way up to five. Then, shake the solution and smell it. Once you add the oils, you can never go back, so truly ensure that it's not too strong.
Notes of Caution
A couple important notes, though: ONLY USE THIS PRODUCT AT NIGHT. Lemon juice, in fact, all citrus juices and essential oils, will make your skin photosensitive. You CANNOT put this on in the morning because it will increase your skin for sun damage. However, for a morning toner, you can simply omit the lemon juice and add more green tea instead. This will be less of an astringent, though, and will not be as good of a toner as this recipe. For a great morning toner, check out my post on Rose Water and try that in the mornings! And, when using this product at night, make sure that you wear sunscreen the next day to ensure that your skin doesn't get burnt. This toner will last for months in a glass container, although make sure to store it in a cool, dark place if possible because essential oils like spearmint are photosensitive and will oxidize, lose fragrance, and lose viability, when exposed to light.
Also, when buying witch hazel, pay attention to the ingredients. Some varieties contain quantities of isopropyl alcohol, which we've already established isn't good. So, watch out for that! But, if it's a small percentage of the formula (<15%), I wouldn't worry about it.
There ya have it, folks!
This toner is incredible, and I've noticed my skin feeling significantly softer and smoother since I've been using it. I think if you try it, you'll love it just as much as I do! For an extra pick-me-up, store the mixture in the refrigerator so it's cold when applied to your skin! It'll feel incredibly refreshing.
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