Astringent tonics are skin care products that you can use after washing your face to remove any makeup or soap residue. While similar to regular tonics, just as effective for cleansing and purifying the skin, they are also formulated to remove excess sebum. To use an astringent toner effectively, you must first find the right product for you. Use it after cleansing your face and proceed immediately with applying a moisturizer. You can try natural astringent tonics made with fruits, herbs and plants.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Astringent Tonic
Step 1. If you have acne-prone skin, use astringent tonics with ingredients that help fight impurities
Since astringents remove excess sebum from the skin surface, they can also prevent clogging of pores and consequently acne. If you want to treat acne more effectively, look for an astringent toner that has a specific ingredient in the list of active ingredients to fight impurities, such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid.
Avoid using an astringent toner for acne-prone but non-oily skin. Excessive drying of the skin can increase the formation of pimples and impurities
Step 2. Choose alcohol-free astringent tonics for sensitive skin
If your skin is prone to redness or irritation, be especially careful when choosing an astringent toner. Alcohol-free astringent tonics are much gentler on the skin. If you experience burning or tingling, or your skin turns red after applying the toner, stop using it.
Other ingredients to avoid with sensitive skin include fragrances, dyes, menthol, and sodium lauryl ether sulfate
Step 3. If you have dry skin, try using a classic toner
If you already have dry skin, an astringent can dehydrate it even more and make the problem worse. If this is the case, you may want to try using a regular toner - it will have the same cleansing properties as an astringent toner, but it can help soothe and rehydrate the skin.
- The classic tonics also allow you to prepare the skin for the application of the moisturizer, so that it can penetrate even more deeply.
- To alleviate dry skin, look for a toner with ingredients that help moisturize the skin better, such as glycerin, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, aloe, hyaluronic acid, and sodium lactate.
Step 4. Try using witch hazel water if you are unsure which product to choose
Witch hazel water is a natural astringent, obtained from the bark and leaves of a plant called "hamamelis virginiana". Its astringent properties derive from natural compounds called "tannins". It is a fairly mild product that generally fits well on all skin types.
Sometimes, witch hazel products have high concentrations of alcohol. If you want to find a milder version, check the ingredients list to make sure there is no alcohol and that the product contains "witch hazel extract" instead of "witch hazel distillate"
Part 2 of 3: Applying an Astringent Tonic
Step 1. Wash your face with any cleanser or soap of your choice, then pat your skin dry to dry
Use lukewarm water and your favorite cleanser to remove makeup residue and dirt. Finally, gently pat your face with a towel.
Step 2. Pour a small amount of toner onto a cotton ball and pat it on your face
Pour a few drops of toner on the cotton ball. Use enough product to moisten the top of the wad, but not enough to soak it. You can massage it gently, but avoid rubbing it.
- If you have combination skin, try tapping the toner only on oily areas (which often coincide with the forehead, nose and chin). Avoid dry areas.
- Some astringent tonics are also sold in spray bottles that allow you to spray the product on the face without having to use a cotton ball.
Step 3. Apply a light moisturizer with SPF 30 when the skin is still slightly damp
Wait for the toner to absorb lightly, then apply a moisturizer that has a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. Choose a light cream or one formulated for oily skin.
- You may think that moisturizing oily skin can only make it worse, but overdrying the skin causes an increase in sebum production. It's best to keep a good balance with a light moisturizer.
- Sun creams help protect the skin, as the use of an astringent tonic increases its photosensitivity.
Step 4. Apply the astringent toner once a day
Use the product daily, after washing your face in the morning. Do not apply it after evening cleansing.
If you want, you can use a toner free of astringent ingredients in the evening
Step 5. When applying astringent toner, avoid areas affected by cuts and abrasions
Even the most delicate of astringent tonics would cause burns if applied to an open wound, such as a cut or scrape. It is best to avoid these areas and wait for the skin to heal before applying the product to them.
Step 6. Switch to a milder astringent toner if your skin becomes red or irritated
If you feel an uncomfortable burning sensation, or your face becomes red after applying the toner, discontinue use. Soothe your skin by applying a moisturizer. Try a milder astringent toner or switch to a toner that has other functions.
Part 3 of 3: Try Natural Astringent Toners
Step 1. Use rose water if you are looking for a particularly mild astringent toner
Rose water is a natural astringent that has a calming effect. It has anti-inflammatory properties, helps soothe irritation and relieve redness. Boil 250 ml of water and add a handful of rose petals. Boil everything until the water has absorbed the color of the petals. Combine a few drops of lemon essential oil to enhance the astringent properties of the product.
- Rose water keeps fresh in the fridge for about 2 weeks.
- Try breaking up the rose petals before placing them in boiling water to help release the nutrients found within them.
- You can also buy ready-made rose water.
Step 2. Dilute apple cider vinegar to harness its powerful astringent properties
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful natural astringent, so it should be diluted before use. Add 5 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 120ml of distilled water. Combine a few drops of an essential oil, such as lemon or rose, to counteract the smell of vinegar.
- You can change the proportions between apple cider vinegar and water depending on your skin type. Try a 1: 4 ratio if you have sensitive skin or if this is your first time using an astringent toner. If your skin continues to feel greasy, you can opt for a dilution of 1: 3, 1: 2 or even 1: 1.
- Store the mixture at room temperature.
Step 3. Harness the astringent power of herbs such as chamomile and mint
Chamomile can remove dirt residue and control sebum production. It also has excellent soothing properties and can soothe sensitive skin. Mint is another mild astringent and allows for a refreshing scent to the blend. To make it, boil 500ml of water with a handful of dried chamomile flowers and dried mint.
Store the chamomile tonic in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
Step 4. Remove the sebum and lighten the skin with cucumber
In addition to being a natural astringent, cucumber also helps to soften dark spots. Just take some fresh cucumber slices, rub them on your face and then rinse.
Step 5. Brighten your skin and fight acne with lemon
The ascorbic acid of lemon makes it an excellent natural astringent. It could also help brighten the skin and reduce scarring. Just add a squeeze of lemon to 60ml of water and then apply the solution to your clean face with a cotton swab.
