Drinking tea has always been a very special ritual at home. Almost all of my childhood memories are connected with a cup of warm tea that refreshes the mind, wakes up your senses and brings you comfort.
A few years ago, when I decided to ditch all chemicals out of my life and go green, I started exploring the benefits of applying different plant extracts topically. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that herbal infusions can substitute 30% of the beauty potions that I used to swear by. So, if you are on the hunt for all-natural, toxic-free, DIY skin care, this post is for you!
3 Natural "Toners" for Glowing and Healthy Skin
1. Rose
Rose petals extract (often obtained by steam-distillation) has outstanding skin-soothing properties and does wonders for sensitive skin, prone to redness and irritation. A few spritz of rose water are enough to rehydrate and calm the skin, giving it a nice, healthy glow. You can use it as a toner, to wake your skin up in the morning, or spritz it all over your face, to refresh your makeup, whenever that's needed.
How To: In this post by Wellness Mama you'll find instructions how to make your own Rose Water + some fun recipes to try.
If you want a product on the base of rose water, with added bio-actives and anti-ageing ingredients, click here.
2. Green Tea
The majority of you, probably know that having a cup of green tea every day reduces the chance of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, high cholesterol, depression and even cancer. But do you know that green tea extract, applied topically, can do just as many wonderful things for your skin, as it does for your inner balance and health?
To begin with I´d like to explain what makes Green tea so special. Green tea (along with grapes and olives) is famous for its high content of polyphenols – naturally occurring chemicals with a powerful antioxidant activity.
One of the most important polyphenols found in Green tea is Epigallocatechin Gallete (EGCG) – plant catechin, known for its superb anti-inflammatory properties and its high antioxidant activity. According to some studies, the polyphenols in green tea are so potent that they can even reduce the risk of skin cancer, by neutralizing free radicals formed in the skin during sun exposure. Besides that, EGCG is believed to stimulate the formation of new skin cells and to support normal collagen production.
The anti-inflammatory qualities of green tea extract make it ideal for healing breakouts, reducing redness, associated with infections, and suppressing bacteria growth, hence prevent inflammation. Some studies even suggest it balances sebum secretion and can help with enlarged pores. If you are struggling with acne, I'd strongly recommend you to try a homemade, green tea toner.
How To: In order to achieve a higher concentration of active ingredients you have to brew a strong tea. Add 4 teaspoons of green tea to a 250ml cup of water instead of the regular dose you would use when you prepare tea for drinking.
Since polyphenols are not very stable, even when stored properly, they lose their properties pretty quickly. For best results, I´d recommend preparing a new infusion every 2-3 days.
Note: If you don´t like the smell of green tea, you can always add a drop of your favourite essential oil (tea tree oil is especially beneficial for oily/acne-prone skin).
3. Mint
I love mint toners because they leave my skin feeling fresh, which is particularly enjoyable on a hot summer day. But mint's properties go way beyond being a cooling mist. According to some sources, mint tea (applied topically) can help balance sebum secretion and reduce unwanted shine. By balancing your skin, mint also prevents clogged pores and breakouts.
It also has astringent properties, therefore might help minimize enlarged pores + keep your skin firm. Last but not least, mint has relatively good anti-inflammatory qualities that can be of benefit to those of you who struggle with frequent skin irritations.
How To: Simply brew your regular cup of mint tea, let it cool, transfer it to a container with a spritzer and store in the fridge. The spritzer is optional, in case you want to use it as a face mist as well.
Conclusion
Throughout this article we have delved into the realm of infusions, for skincare. Uncovered their remarkable advantages. Lets summarize the points we discussed.
Herbal infusions are remedies created by steeping herbs in a liquid often hot water.
You can apply them directly on your skin. Consume them to support the health of your skin from the inside, out. In our sections we shared homemade recipes for making herbal infusions. We also discussed how these infusions can benefit your skin by providing hydration reducing inflammation and balancing skin tone. Extensive research and studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of infusions in improving skin conditions like acne, eczema and signs of aging. Now it's your turn to explore the advantages of using infusions for your skin. By incorporating these remedies into your skincare routine you can. Rejuvenate your skin. It's important to remember that herbal infusions harness the healing properties of herbs without any chemicals. By choosing these solutions you are giving your skin the care it truly deserves. So whether you decide to try our suggested DIY recipes or experiment with infusions embrace natures power and uncover the secrets to achieving radiant and healthy looking skin. By following this content plan you'll be able to create informative articles, blog posts or videos about using infusions, for skincare purposes.
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