Astringents are applied topically to skin surfaces to help tighten body tissues. Individuals suffering from acne are often advised to use astringents. Here are a few homemade recipes for astringents made from natural products.
Astringents today have a wide usage and are used to treat a variety of disorders which require shrinkage of body tissues. People who suffer from stomach ulcers, hemorrhages, and diarrhea are advised to use astringents as they help to constrict tissues, restricting the secretion of blood serum and mucous.
The other widely known application of astringents involves acne treatment. Persons who have a very oily skin use astringents on a daily basis, they help in tightening and protecting the skin. Even though there are many commercial brands available, making astringents is very easy and turns out to be very cost-effective as well.
Easy-to-Make Homemade Astringents
Orange/Lemon/Cucumber/Peach/Tomato
Some of the best and readily available fruits and veggies make the best astringents.
Lemons, oranges, cucumbers, all help in tightening skin pores and give your skin a refreshing feeling. Grated cucumber juice, orange juice, tomato juice, and lemon juice will work wonders for your skin. These work well for all skin types.
Apply the juice to your face, leave on for a few minutes, and rinse well with water. In case of peaches and cucumbers, you can also cut thin circular slices and leave them on your face for a few minutes, then discard them. You will start to feel the freshening effect immediately.
Aloe Vera Astringent
The juice of this plant, found abundantly all over, works very well as an astringent.
Buy it from your local store or extract the juice from the leaves if you have an aloe vera plant at home. Apply it over the face and leave it on for a few minutes. Rinse well with water.
Apple Cider Vinegar Astringent
Mix equal quantities of water and apple cider vinegar and use this mixture twice a day for the best results.
Vinegar Astringent
Mix a glass of warm water, 1/8 cup vinegar, and a tablet of aspirin well together. Apply this solution with a cotton pad all over your face.
Rose Water Astringent
Boil a bowl of water. Add a few fresh rose petals to it. Before you add them make sure they haven't been sprayed by a pesticide.
Let the petals soak in the water for half an hour. Drain the petals and use the water as an astringent. You can add a few drops of glycerin to the rose-water; it works well as a moisturizer
Similar to the above method, instead of rose petals, you can use cornflowers, lilies, and even violet flowers to make an astringent that is not just safe, but wonderfully fragrant.
Witch Hazel Astringent
Mix witch hazel and lemon juice in the ratio 2:1 respectively and apply the resulting solution to your face using a cotton ball. Rinse well with water later.
Basil and Witch Hazel Astringent
Take a few basil leaves, wash them, crush them and bring them to boil in a pot of water. Let the concoction steep for an hour. Strain the leaves and add a few drops of witch hazel to the water. Use this astringent on your face and neck for a clear skin.
Tea Tree Oil Astringent
Mix distilled water, rose-water, and witch hazel in the ratio 3:3:1.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture. Apply this solution to your face and neck with a soft cotton pad, leave on for a few minutes, and rinse well.
You can make use of eucalyptus oil instead of tea tree oil to make this astringent.
Sage-Chamomile-Lemon Balm Astringent
You will require
4 tbsp sage leaves
4 tbsp chamomile petals
1 tbsp lemon balm leaves
Vinegar
Method 1 Boil water in a pot and add all herbs and leaves to it. Steep the mixture for half an hour. Strain the herb mixture and store the solution in a jar. It can be refrigerated and used up to 2 weeks. This method does not use vinegar.
Method 2 Add all herbs in a glass jar and pour vinegar over them till they completely submerge inside the liquid. Close the lid tightly and let the mixture sit for a week in your kitchen. After a week, strain out all the herbs, and store your newly made astringent in a bottle that can remain outside for weeks. Apply with a cotton ball.
Yarrow-Calendula-Peppermint Astringent
You will require
2 tbsp yarrow petals
2 tbsp Calendula petals
1 tsp peppermint leaves
4 cups distilled water
A few drops of tincture of benzoin
Method Bring the water to a rolling boil. Put the yarrow, Calendula, and peppermint into the boiling water and stir well. Let the water simmer for half an hour. Now strain the steeped mixture into a bowl, and discard the herbs/leaves and add tincture of benzoin to it. Mix well. Let it cool before applying it onto your skin.
Herbal Astringent
You will require
4 tbsp chamomile petals
3 tbsp Calendula petals
4 tbsp rose petals
1 tbsp sage leaves
1 tbsp rosemary leaves
2 tbsp freshly grated lemon zest
A few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil
Vinegar
Method In a big glass bottle, add all the herbs and pour vinegar on top till all the leaves and petals are completely immersed in it. Secure the lid and let it sit on your countertop for a week. Then filter all the herbs, and add a few drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil to it.
This herbal astringent has a long shelf life and does not require refrigeration. Pour a few drops of it on a cotton ball and gently wipe your face and neck with it, once a day.
These are some really easy astringent recipes. Try to make them at home and use them often. However, you need to know that these do not show results overnight. You need to use them everyday for an extended duration to get the desired results. Combined with a healthy, nutritious diet and exercise regimen, the regular use of these safe astringents will bring a glow to your skin.