Homemade Astringents, Tighteners & Toners

1) Here is how you can make a toner at home. For quickly refreshing your skin, grate a cucumber. Then use a wash cloth and apply the cucumber juice to your face. Cucumber juice is a natural astringent. It can tone and tighten skin!
2) Eggwhite Toner
Clean face thoroughly using any natural cleanser. Apply raw eggwhites to the skin and leave on for at least 15 minutes. Wash off with tepid water.
3) Elderflowers, lavender, orange flower water and rosewater are all classic toners for all skin types. Make a strong infusion of any of the above, refrigerate and use within 3 days.

4) Lecithin Toner
Dissolve lecithing granules in jojoba or almond oil. Apply to face and throat as a day or night cream.
5) Lemon is a strong astringent, dilute with water before using, being careful to keep away from eyes.
6) Lemon Toner
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 cup distilled water
2/3 cup witch hazel
Combine all ingredients. Pour into a clean bottle or decorative cosmetics container. Shake well before using. Apply with a clean cotton ball.

7) Pine Toner
2 cups fresh pine needles
1 cup distilled water
1/2 cup witch hazel
Place pine needles in small saucepan with distilled water. Bring water to boil. Allow water to cool completely then strain and discard pine needles. Add witch hazel and stir well. Pour into a clean bottle or decorative capped container. Apply to skin with a cotton ball. Store in a cool dark place.
8) Protein Toner
Beat together 1 Tbsp milk, 1 tsp honey and 1 egg. Apply to face and neck. Leave on as long as desired. Rinse off with warm water followed by a splash of cold.
9) Queen of Hungary Water
This water can be used as an astringent, aftershave, deodorant, hair and skin tonic and even as an inhaled headache remedy:
1 part roses
1 part lavender
1 part rosemary
1 part sage
1 part orange peel
1 part lemon peel
2 parts mint
To 2 ounces apple cider vinegar, add 2 ounces of the above herbal formula. Put in an air-tight glass jar, let steep for about 2 weeks. Strain and add 1 1/2 cups pure distilled rosewater. Pour into a decorative, air tight decanter and use daily.
10) Rose Water & Glycerine Astringent
1/2 pint olive oil
1 ounce rose water
a few drops of glycerin
1 ounce vodka
11) Sage Astringent
4 Tbsp dried sage
4 Tbsp vodka
1/4 tsp borax
3 Tbsp witch hazel
10 drops glycerin or honey
Steep the sage in vodka for 2 weeks then strain. Dissolve borax in witch hazel, stir in the saged vodka and glycerin. Pour into bottle with a tight cap. Shake before each use.
12) Strawberry: Mash strawberries, use as an astringent and cleansing face mask.
13) Violet: Simmer violet flowers in a little milk to make a softening and mildly astringent face lotion.
14) Witch Hazel: Use an extract of witch hazel as an astringent, a skin freshener and to soothe skin irritations.
15) Lemony Lavender Toner
3 drops lemon oil
3 drops lavender oil
3 teaspons of distilled water
Use a soft cotton ball to massage mixture into the skin after cleansing. Follow with a moisturizer if desired.
16) Honey and farina (hot cerial) Toner
You first find something to place it in and put the hot cerial and honey in together. Then you add hot water until its in a thick consistancy. Then put it on your face. Then wait for it to dry then scrub it off with a towel.

Dry Skin Care - Home remedies for dry skin

Dry skin has a thin and papery texture.
It feels dry to touch.
The pores are very fine.
After a wash it feels tight, as though it is too small for the face.
By midday flaky patches appear.
Hardly ever break out in spots.

Dry Skin Care

For dry skin use a creamy cleanser to melt away dirt. Leave it on your skin before sweeping it away with cotton wool. Splash cold water onto your face to clean and refresh your skin. Use a thick cream moisturiser to seal in as much moisture as possible Home remedies for dry skin 

1) Make a puree of 1 banana and 1 papaya, peach or avacado. Apply to skin. Leave on for at least 20 minutes then rinse with warm water, followed by a moisturizer of natural margarine or natural vegetable oil.
2) Apply natural mayonnaise, either homemade or from natural foods store. Massage into skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Oily Skin Care - Home remedies for oily skin

Oily skin feels very greasy.
The texture is often very thick and coarse.
There are large, visible pores.
After a wash it feels fine.
By midday it looks shiny.
Often break out in spots.

Oily skin care

To care for oily skin you should start with a gentle, foaming facial wash. This will remove dirt and oil without stripping away moisture. Soak cotton wool in a gentle astringent lotion and sweep it over your skin to refresh and cool it. Even oily skin needs a moisturiser, but chose a light, watery fluid; this will be enough for your skin. Allow the moisturiser to sink in and then absorb the excess with a tissue to prevent shine.
A clay mask works wonder for oily skin. We recommend this clay mask:

Skin Vitamins - For a healthy and glowing skin

Some facts about vitamins and skin

1. Lack of vitamins can make skin lifeless, blotchy and dull.
2. A number of studies reveal that certain vitamins and minerals, when taken internally, can positively influence skin appearance, beauty, and a woman's overall health.
3. Researches have shown a strong relationship between nutritional intake and skin health.
4. Getting your vitamins for the day, i.e. taking a multi-vitamin or eating fruits and vegetables rich in all the nutrients is necessary for good health.
5. The number of skin care products containing vitamins has more than tripled since 1991.
6. Most people are deficient in vitamins, minerals and herbs that are important for your body to function properly.
You need to understand what vitamins work for what skin conditions and choose skin care products accordingly.

Skin Vitamins Glossary

1. Vitamin A
- strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and prevents acne. Recommended dosage to fight acne: 10,000 IU.
- helps reduce sebum production.
- essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue which the skin and mucous membranes are made of.
- powerful antioxidant to flush out free radicals and toxins from your body which improves wrinkling and fine lines.
2. Vitamin B Complex
- help to maintain healthy skin tone - also helpful in relieving anxiety and stress.
- Fights acne.
- vital for healthy skin by improving circulation and metabolism. important in the functioning of your immune system and your antibody production.


3. Vitamin C
- acts as an antioxidant and is considered vital in wound healing because it aids in stabilizing collagen.
- essential to maintain your good look and prevents the appearance of "broken blood vessels".
- When applied topically, vitamin C can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and may lessen the severity of sunburns.
4. Vitamin E
- another antioxidant that may have anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
- When applied topically, vitamin E has been known to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness and also provide modest photoprotection.