If Monday’s child is fair of face… I must have been born on a Monday. My skin has always been fair and sensitive. Facial toners that are geared to sensitive skin still leave my face red and irritated. I found that making my own herbal concoctions was the better way to go for my skin type. Isn’t it funny how we seem to expect to out grow teenage skin flare ups, yet most everyone I know still has to contend with them now and then. Throw aging, wrinkle creams and all the other chemical laden products on the store shelf and what are we supposed to use to get the magazine ready flawless skin? Well, truth be told to get that magazine ready skin, we need Photoshop, but you can get clearer skin by incorporating some natural remedies to your skin care routine.
One of my favorites is rose water facial toner. Rose water is good for all skin types and has mild astringent properties while it is also great for hydrating. In order to make this simple product, I start with making rose water. The rose that is used to make this rose water is , Rosa Damascena Mill or better known as a Damask Rose. I am lucky to collect roses from a friends garden. I prefer to use roses that I know have not been strayed with pesticides when making skin care products. Another resource for rose petals is Mountain Rose Herb. In this recipe I use the petals of 6 roses that I had dried as well as some lemon balm leaves. Lemon balm is in the mint family and can aid in stimulating circulation as well as having anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities.
Rose Water
Petals from 6 roses, dried
3 cups of distilled water
A sprinkle of Lemon Balm leaves, torn
In a ceramic dish, bring the distilled water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat. Add the rose petals and allow to steep. The steeping process, like making herbal tea, will release the essence of the rose petals into the water infusing it with the natural astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of roses. The longer you allow the petals to steep the stronger the rose water. I allow mine to steep until the water is cool to the touch. Then strain your water into a glass container for keeping. If you simply want rose water, you can add a teaspoon of vodka to the cooled water and store. The vodka will help with preservation. Since I am using this to make a toner, I skip the vodka. Rose water, like a fine wine or bourbon, intensifies as it ages if stored in a glass jar out of direct sunlight, so put it up and save some for later.
Once you have rose water on hand, it is simple to make a facial toner and hydrating spray. This recipe calls for rose water with its hydrating gentle astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. The toner also has witch hazel for a cleansing astringent as well as soothing aloe vera gel. The gel of the aloe vera plant has even been shown by the Mayo Clinic to have promise in helping many different ailments including skin care.
Rose Water Facial Toner
1 Cup of Rose Water
1 Tablespoon of Witch Hazel, Organic
1 Tablespoon of Aloe Vera Gel, Organic
In a glass jar, combine all the ingredients. Whisk to fully incorporate the aloe vera gel into your product. Once you have everything well blended, you are ready to use this product. The toner can be applied daily using cotton balls to cleanse and tone the face. You can also add the toner to a mister and use it as a hydrating mist. Both ways help to hydrate your skin while toning. Be sure to keep your eyes closed when you are misting. The witch hazel, while not in a high dose, can irritate if directly applied to your eye. This toner can keep for up to a year in a glass jar and stored out of direct sunlight.
“*Statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to treat or diagnose any disease or health condition. It is also recommended that patients check with their doctors before taking herbs, to ensure that there are no contraindications with prescription medications.“