Is a toner necessary for African American skin care? After all, African American skin is known to be resilient, so why would a toner be needed as part of a beauty routine? Well, you may not know this, but your favorite beauty cleanser might not be as “cleansing” as you may think if it is not natural. Just because you can’t see it, that doesn’t mean that residue has not been left behind, and that includes remnants of the cleaner itself!

One of the functions of your facial toner is to remove whatever dirt and grim was left on your face from the cleanser that didn’t do it’s job. A toner is indeed needed for every skin type and there is a diverse selection of natural toners available to fit every lifestyle and budget.

Toners play a major part and keeping skin truly clean. It gets down into the innermost parts of skin and softly eliminates the harmful germs and bacteria that leads to so many of the skin problems we face. Unfortunately, many stores only offer watered down versions of organic toners, so while the main ingredient may be important, we still do not get the full effect of it.

The main function of  facial toners is to balance pH levels to properly condition and make your face less prone to break outs. A toner also assist in smoothing hyperpigmented skin because it balances the melanin production in the skin.

Read on to learn 6 of the natural ingredients in toners if you want your face to be clean, clear, and healthy.

Aloe Vera

The same aloe vera that is used to treat sunburn is also used to tone your skin. It doubles as a natural sunscreen and with its infusion of Vitamin C & E, it combats aging. Add a drop or two of Lavender essential oil and you’ll add a soothing enhancer to treat your sunburn.

Orange: The Essential Oil

Another ingredient in toners that aids in anti-aging is the orange essential oil. It promotes collagen and gets rid of excess oil for a more youthful and shine-free face. Just like the oranges we eat, there are quite a few valuable nutrients in this oil, as well.
Orange essential oil is a citrus oil, therefore, this makes is photosensitive. Plain English, you can get sunburn if used just before you go into the sun. Wait at least 30 minutes to go into the sun if you choose to use orange essential oil in your facial toner.

Rose Essential Oil

This essential oil is great for both your skin and your mind, and the oil has many other benefits. Rose is famous for its scent and its symbolism, which is why it is often cited in songs and movies and added to countless fragrances. Roses are strongly connected to love and romance. After using rose oil, you will most likely fall in love with your face all over again .The oil gets rid of bacteria and is also antiviral. If you suffer from a fever, it has been known to actually lower your temperature. Mentally, rose oil can be used therapeutically to battle depression and ward off bad moods.

Rosewater

Rosewater is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals, a by-product of the production of rose oil often used in perfume.
Rosewater is very gentle so it is safe for the most sensitive of skin. And since African American skin is some of the most sensitive on the planet, it is considered a very good product to use as a facial toner.

Rose water is a wonderful antibacterial and works especially well for those who suffer from rosacea, a vascular skin disorder that leads to excessive redness.

Lemon juice

Lemons have a very potent juice that brightens skin and dark spots, making your complexion clearer. While this juice is highly effective, it is important to be mindful of when you are using it. Be careful because, as a citrus, lemon juice makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so using it as part of a night-time routine may be best.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is always an ingredient to look for because it is one of the powerhouse beauty ingredients. It is known to enhance your skin, hair, and body and can be taken internally or applied topically. It is not only healing, it rids the skin of toxicity.

Vitamin E is also known as Tocopherol. It can be used alone on blemishes and dry spots, but there is a catch. Just as heavy as it is powerful, it is necessary to use respectable amounts of vitamin E based on your skin. If your skin is oily, much less should be used than if you have dry skin. The only way to find out how much vitamin E should be applied to your face is by testing it on a small area first to see how well your skin reacts.

Looking for beautiful skin …

When you look in the mirror you’re hoping to see skin that you can be proud of. This isn’t always the case and everything from our diet, genetics, and environmental factors that are beyond your control, can cause allergic reactions, rashes, and other skin disorders that show up on your face. Along with that, we have to deal with the never ending cycle of clearing our skin, working to clear the blemishes it leaves behind, and then doing it all over again as other problems continues to arise.

By knowing what to look for in a toner, you can eliminate the stress of worrying about how a toner will affect you, especially if you are new to them. This is because by knowing how well these ingredients perform and their main attributes, you can better connect them to your personal needs.

That’s it for this week. As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Aesthetician/Aromatherapist/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care