Natural Toners
You don’t need to buy expensive toners with a myriad of ingredients for smooth, blemish-free skin. Natural Aloe Vera gel and witch hazel are two extremely affordable and friendly options for toning your skin! More often than not, you’ll even find Aloe Vera and witch hazel used together in commercial skin toners.
Let’s start with Aloe.
Aloe Vera
a succulent-type plant whose leaves contain a gelatinous emollient extract.
Aloe Vera can be used for more than soothing burns- it also works excellent as a skin toner and moisturizer. Aloe Vera contains compounds that brighten and keep skin tight without over-drying it. Aloe also has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties that make it a great solution for treating acne and skin inflammation.
Aloe Vera is my go-to whenever I have an acne or psoriasis flare up because it significantly lessens the redness on my skin in an incredibly short amount of time. I usually apply Aloe Vera to my skin just after drying off from the shower and always apply it to my face before going to bed during a breakout. It leaves my skin feeling cool and refreshed as it works its natural magic!
Aloe Vera is a safe remedy to use, with few known side effects. However, since everyone’s skin reacts to substances differently, it is best to always do a “patch test” on a small area of skin on the inside of your forearm prior to use. You should ALWAYS speak to a doctor prior to using Aloe products or any other substance to treat a condition. Many store-bought Aloe Vera products contain dyes or other additives- so it is best to read the labels before buying. If you’d like to cut down on packaging waste, you can always opt to get your gel straight from the source. You can either buy the leaves at your local market, or you can purchase a whole plant. If you do, there’s a few things to know before harvesting:
Only use 1-2 leaves at a time, as the gel will only last about a week without the addition of preservatives.
If you plan to keep it longer, you’ll need to add a preservative such as vitamin C or E. While aloe does naturally contain these vitamins, it is not at levels strong enough to extend the shelf life of the harvested gel.
Wash the leaves prior to harvesting the gel. If you are taking leaves from a plant, cut off one of the outer leaves from the base of the plant to (avoiding the roots).
Once you have cut off the bottom of the leaf, place it upright in a glass to drain out the yellow resin. This resin contains latex, which can cause irritation to the skin- so don’t skip this step! Allow the leaf to drain for approximately 15 minutes. If you’d like, you can trim down the prickly ends to make handling the leaves easier.
Once the resin has drained out completely, rinse off any remaining resin from the leaf.
Using a paring knife or your fingers, gently peel the leaf open.
Separate the gel from the interior of the leaf. You can apply fresh aloe gel directly to your skin, or blend it to smooth it out. Any unused gel can be transferred to an airtight, sealable container and placed in the refrigerator for several days to a week. If you’d like to extend the shelf-life of the gel, you can either freeze it in an ice cube tray or preserve it. I have not yet tried to preserve the gel, but there are plenty of recipes available online!
To use the gel as a toner, it is best to apply it after you have washed your face. You can apply the gel daily. Avoid contact in or around your eyes.
Witch Hazel
A shrub found in Northern America and Asia with fragrant, slender yellow flower petals. The bark, twigs and leaves of the plant can be used to create a gentle astringent also known as “witch hazel”.
Witch hazel has a long history in folk-medicine, being used by the Native Americans long before our time. Witch hazel contains tannins that can help reduce inflammation, redness and fight bacteria. Tannins are naturally occurring compounds with antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin when applied topically. Witch hazel has been used to treat acne, relieve skin irritation and bug bites, reduce inflammation, fight infection, quicken healing time for minor cuts and scrapes, and even treat hemorrhoids. You will find witch hazel in the majority of commercial toner products on the market, and for good reason: it is extremely effective. It is excellent for sensitive skin as it is hypoallergenic, it tones and tightens the pores, removes excess oils and sebum, does not over-dry the skin, and reduces redness. What’s even better: it is dermatologist tested and suitable for the majority of skin types, so most people should be able to use witch hazel without irritation.
That being said, not all witch hazel is created equal. Some witch hazel products are mixed with other ingredients (such as ethanol alcohol) that actually may cause dryness or irritation for some people. So, just as when purchasing any other product: read the label. If you have sensitive skin, avoid products with alcohols.
Always apply witch hazel according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
You can apply witch hazel directly to clean, dry skin by using a reusable cotton pad or cotton ball.
Do not use witch hazel to remove makeup, and avoid direct contact with the eyes (especially if using a witch hazel product with alcohols).
As with trying any other skincare product for the first time, conduct a “patch test” before using on large portions of the skin.
Popular brands of witch hazel are Dickinson’s, Thayer’s and Public Goods. I receive free Dickinson’s witch hazel products each year at a Food Safety Conference I attend, and I have to say I love every single sample I receive. The witch hazel efficiently tones my skin and reduces redness from blemishes.
The only down side to using witch hazel is that it is often packaged in plastic. I am hoping one day there will be more sustainable packaging options available. In the meantime, I do my best to alternate between using fresh Aloe Vera and using witch hazel to tone my skin. Alternating what I use helps reduce my annual waste, and every little shift can help make an impact.