Creating your own fragrant body splashes with essential oils and herbal blends is a simple way of keeping your skin fresh and enhancing your sense of well-being. But before using any skincare products, make sure you test the product on a small area of your skin to check if it causes a negative reaction, especially if you have very sensitive skin.
Toners are used after cleansing to help refine the skin and maintain its pH balance; they also remove any traces of the cleanser before moisturizing. In this article, I’ll show you how to make a refreshing toner that is suitable for all skin types. This toner is especially good for those with skin problems; it contains a stimulating aromatherapy blend that cleanses the skin and regulate oiliness. Witch hazel and lavender waters, ingredients used here, create a gentle astringent and purifying base to tone the pores of the skin and promote a clear complexion.
Ingredients
- 80 ml lavender flower water
- 2 tsp witch hazel
- 1 tsp aloe vera juice
- 14 drops of bergamot essential oil
- 4 drops of lemon essential oil
- 4 drops of lavender essential oil
- 2 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 2 drops of black pepper essential oil
The quantities mentioned here will produce 100 ml of the toner.
Instructions
Combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Store in a sterilized glass bottle, preferably with an atomizer spray. Do not expose to direct sunlight, and shake well before use. Use within 6 months of preparing the mix.
Health Benefits Of The Ingredients
Before looking at how to make the toner, let’s look at the properties of the ingredients.
- Witch hazel: A refreshing astringent that is cooling, witch hazel is usually used as an infusion or herbal water (also known as hydrosol) to cleanse, tone, and refresh the skin. It is rich in antioxidants phenol and tannin, which can calm inflamed skin conditions and soothe irritation, roughness, and soreness; it is also used to wash wounds and heal bruises and sores.
- Lavender essential oil and water: The oil has a sweet, calming fragrance and is the most versatile and widely used of all the essential oils. Its regenerative effect on the skin stimulates the growth of healthy new cells, promotes rapid healing, and helps to prevent scarring. The essential oil and the floral water have soothing and balancing properties when used on burns, wounds bites, and inflammatory skin conditions.
- Aloe vera: This gel can be found in hundreds of beauty products. It is a cooling remedy for burns, helps repair and heal wounds, and has a soothing effect on skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Aloe is most effective if minimally processed. If you cannot source it fresh, direct from the leaves, look for 100% aloe juice products and pure gels, not extracts from the macerated leaves.
- Rosemary essential oil: It has a cleansing action, it is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and it stimulates blood circulation.
- Bergamot essential oil: This is particularly beneficial for combination or oily skin, where it exerts a balancing effect. Used in skincare products, this oil is suitable for all skin types.
- Lemon essential oil: It can boost blood circulation, has a clarifying effect on greasy skin, and has toning properties that help to combat wrinkles.
- Black pepper essential oil: This adds a warming and spicy note to cosmetics and aromatherapy blends. Used in small amounts topically, it is also antiseptic and invigorating.
