This is the first of an article series on how you can use natural nourishing and nurturing ingredients to care for your skin, using herbs and vegetables that you’ll have in your kitchen, or garden. These articles are designed to provide information on the benefits and the values of natural skincare products, that can be made at home, to hydrate, moisturise, tone, and cleanse the skin. These are not meant to be therapeutic and any persisting skin issues need to be discussed with your health practitioner.
Each article will explore a single ingredient and where appropriate there will be tips and guides on how these ingredients can be incorporated in simple homemade skin care products without any preservatives, bearing in mind that such products will need to be kept in the fridge and should be used within 5 – 6 days of being made.
The focus of the current article is on the benefits of using the daisy-like chamomile as a Facial Toner and how to make your own home-made Toner from chamomile tea, but some information on why Facial Toners are an essential component to your natural skincare routine.
Facial Toners
Facial Toners provide "moisture bursts" after cleansing, helping to maintain the skin better hydrated. These are normally applied prior moisturising but can also be used as Spritzers.
Also, a good toner must be 100% alcohol-free, even for oily skin types. This is because, contrary to popular belief, by removing oils from the surface of the skin you are encouraging their replacement, as your skin is continuously producing oils/sebum to maintain the integrity of your skin as the natural barrier to the external environment, to avoid loss of moisture and heat, as well diminish the potential for skin abrasions that can lead to bacterial infections and tissue destruction. Thus, the trick to maintain a balanced and supple skin, is to use good nourishment, moisturising, hydration and cleansing, with ingredients that support optimal function of your largest organ.
Five Benefits Toners Do for Your Skin:
- Balance your skin after cleansing
Some cleansers in the process of removing oils, cell debris and make-up, can also over strip your skin leaving a tight/tense, and dry feeling because they do dry the skin in the process on cleansing. Applying a toner after cleansing helps to re-balance your skin, while providing suppleness.
- Hydrate your skin
Skin hydration is key to healthy skin, so facial toners are essentially water based. Toners restore hydration to your skin after cleansing. In addition to water, toners can include hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, that help attract water to your skin for longer-lasting results.
- Refresh your skin
Spritzing your skin with a toner can be refreshing and invigorating in the morning or calming in the evening, depending on the ingredients. Besides they feel amazing, and make you feel special. So, Toners are essential to your daily routine, not just treats.
- Soothe your skin
- Help remove oil and makeup
Adding a facial toner to your daily routine can help breakout excess dirt and other impurities left on your skin.
Chamomile Herb
Chamomile is one of the most popular and loved herbs worldwide.
Its name comes from the Greek words “chemos” and “melos” that mean "ground apple" describing that the plant grows close to earth with an apple-like fragrance from the daisy like flowers. The flowering chamomile plant belongs to the Asteraceae family that also includes echinacea and calendula, known for their immune boosting and antioxidant properties, respectively. The most common types of chamomile are the German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and the Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is made from infusions of dried flowers.
The health and medicinal benefits of chamomile tea are due to numerous families of molecules that include terpenoids, flavonoids, and antioxidants including apigenin, chamazulene, bisabolol and luteolin. These benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, soothing effect that can relief stress and anxiety, as well as minor stomach discomfort. Though chamomile traditional medicines have been used for millennia, having been extensively used by Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, nowadays we have a much better understanding of the chemistry underpinning the benefits.
Chamomile Tea as a Facial Toner Ideal for Sensitive Skin
Given it’s soothing and calming properties, chamomile is idea as a Facial Toner for skin types that are sensitive, regardless of a dry or oily profile.
To make a homemade chamomile Facial Toner all you need is some dried chamomile flowers, and any variety is suitable, then follow the instructions below.
Making Your Chamomile Facial Toner:
- Use a teaspoon of dried flowers, or the contents of a tea bag, but discard the bag. This amount will be ideal for a teacup, or about 250 ml of water, for a toner with mild strength.
- Place the dried flowers, or the tea bag contents, in a “tea ball” and allow 5 – 7 minutes infusion in recently boiled water.
- Remove the ‘tea ball” and allow the infusion to cool.
- Transfer to a clean bottle, cover. Store in the fridge, or cool area.
- Discard after 5 - 6 days, and make a fresh brew of your own chamomile facial toner.
How To Use your Chamomile Facial Toner:
- Use it as part of your skincare routine.
- In the morning, and/or evening, or as often as you need, place some of your chamomile toner on a cotton ball or cotton pad and dab all over your face. Apply with gentle patting strokes.
- Allow a few seconds for the moisture to be absorbed and continue with your skin routine or use on its own.
Depending on the type of flowers the scent will vary, but the effect on the skin will be wonderful, regardless. Enjoy!
