Terrific toners for dry skin are often terrifically overpriced. Evidently the cosmetics companies figure that people with dry skin are older (not necessarily true) and have perhaps amassed enough spare cash to cavalierly throw away $90 or more on what is essentially just water with some nice soothing moisturizers thrown in (also definitely not true). Therefore, some people prefer to make their own dry skin toners.
Homemade facial toners are not as complicated as commercially-produced products, but that can be a good thing; fewer ingredients means there are fewer potential allergens and sensitizers. However, the fact that they work for many people does not mean that an individual will not have an allergic or sensitizing reaction to them; if irritation or other problems occur, discontinue use immediately and consult a physician.
Here are some interesting recipes from around the world; all of these toners must be refrigerated and used up or discarded within 2-3 days.
Dry Skin Flower Fresheners
For dry skin that is not sensitive to flower extracts or fragrance:
Steep 1.5 oz. of red or pink rose petals (with the white heels removed first) in 1 pint of boiling water for 2 hours. Strain into a sterilized bottle.
The above recipe can also be tried with 1oz. of dried or fresh elderflowers, which have been used to freshen dry skin since at least the 17th century. They act as a mild astringent, but do not dry out the epidermis due to their 66% concentration of fatty acids. Never use elderflower leaves, which are quite toxic, in any skincare preparation (they make an excellent insecticide, however).
Homemade Skin Toners from Indonesia
These are only appropriate for dry skin that is not blemish-prone:
Blend one small cucumber for about 30 seconds. Stain the juice through a coffee filter or fine mesh cheesecloth, and use as a toner. The pulp is said to make a good facial.
Blend ½ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of skinned almonds or candlenuts (kemiri nuts) for approximately 2 minutes. Strain and use the nut milk as a toner. Some recipes recommend using some of it in a face mask, along with 2 tablespoons coconut oil and 2-3 tablespoons of kaolin powder. The blended nut meats may also be used as a mild scrub.
Rice Water: Asian Recipe for Skin Care
Some types of rice are soaked prior to cooking. In Japan and the Dominican Republic, the left-over starchy rice water is used as a facial toner. It makes a good emollient skin freshener, but keep in mind that some people are allergic to it. Dry skin with blemishes may suffer increased breakouts by using rice water (acne bacteria gobble up the starch and multiply).
Many swear that rice water lightens the skin as well as moisturizing it, but there is no scientific evidence that it has this effect. Some people also like to add the rice water to 2 teaspoons powdered green tea that has been steeped in boiling water for 10 minutes. After the mixture cools, it is used to tone and freshen the skin.
A Note Regarding Many On-line Skin Toner Recipes
Many on-line homemade skin toner recipes call for the ingredient alum, which has an astringent action and is included in styptic pencils to stop bleeding from small cuts. Alum is a salt; when dissolved in water, it yields a solution with an acidic pH. This acidity can irritate the skin, which is why it functions as an astringent: Astringents temporarily swell the skin and cause pores to appear somewhat smaller. It takes a while for the skin to return to its normal pH following an application of alum.
Although cosmetic use of alum is not considered to be harmful, it is not very helpful either; because of this, alum has mostly been phased out of commercial products. The best advice is to avoid its use in toners, especially in those meant for dry skin care.
Readers of this article may also enjoy "Facial Toners for Dry Skin" and "Facial Cleansers for Dry Skin" in Suite 101's Home & Style section.
Sources
Benge, Sophie. Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty, and Relaxation. North Clarenden, VT: Periplus Editions, 2000.
“DIY Beauty: rice water for smooth fair skin.” Vivawoman.net, April 2009.
Hampton, Aubrey. What’s in Your Cosmetics? Tampa, FL: Organica Press, 1995.
“Homemade Facial Toners.” Fine-skin-care-products.com.
Houdret, Jessica. The Practical Illustrated Home Herbal Doctor. London: Hermes House, 2009.
“ Rice Powder: an Asian Skin Whitening Secret,” Whiterskin.info, Sept. 2009.
Windholz, Martha, editor. The Merck Index, 10th edition. Rahway, N.J.: Merck & Co., Inc., 1983.
Amy Sillup - I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Delaware Valley College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. I have worked as a ...
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