Traditionally, the proper skin care is carried out according to the scheme "cleansing - toning - nutrition", where the tonic is responsible for the second stage. This product has a consistency similar to water, and is applied to the face with a cotton pad. Many women neglect the stage of "toning", applying on the face of the cream immediately after washing. Today we will find out why a toner is really needed for the face, and how to use this remedy.
Types of tonics
All the tonics presented on the shelves of cosmetics stores can be classified into three groups:
- Refreshing - do not contain alcohol, have a mild formula and are suitable for dry and extremely sensitive skin.
- Toning - contain a small amount of alcohol, focused on combined and normal skin.
- Astringents - differ the sated formula, the significant maintenance of spirit and antiseptic components. This tonic is suitable for problem skin of the face - very oily and prone to inflammation.
Obviously, what kind of tonic for the face to choose depends on the type of skin and, of course, on the effect that the remedy gives.
Method of application of tonic for the face
As noted above, the tonic is applied to the skin after washing. For this purpose, use a soft cotton pad, although some cosmeticians advise to apply the product directly with the pads of the fingers, gently tapping them on the skin.
Tonic is designed to:
- remove residual soap components (if cleansing was done using "washbasins") or greasy film (if milk was used);
- restore the acid-base balance, disturbed in the process of washing away sebum together with impurities;
- close the pores, preparing the skin for the next stage - nutrition.
Toning is necessary for the skin at any age. If the soul does not lie with the purchased cosmetics, the home tonics for the face, whose only disadvantage is a short shelf life (2 to 4 days in the refrigerator, in the closed dark utensils) will help out.
How to make a tonic for the face?
There are a lot of recipes for cooking tonics at home - we'll look at the most affordable ones.
- Green tea (without flavors and additives) in the amount of two spoons is poured with boiling water (200 ml). When the tea cools, it must be filtered. In its pure form, this home tonic for the face is suitable for normal skin type; with the addition of 1/2 spoon of olive oil - for a dry type; with the addition of 1 spoon of fresh lemon juice - for oily skin.
- Medicinal herbs (mint, chamomile, lavender, calendula - on a tablespoon of each raw material) are brewed in 400 ml of very hot water. When the infusion cools, it should be filtered. This tonic, cooked at home, can be used for both a face with oily skin, and with a combined / normal. For dry skin, an infusion of lime color, prepared according to the same scheme, is suitable.
- From fresh grapes (1 glass) juice is squeezed out. On 1/2 cup takes a pinch of salt and 1 spoon of honey. The components are mixed, the preparation is allowed to stand for 1 hour. This tonic is useful for dry skin type.
- Citrus tonic for the face can cope with excessive fat content of the skin. It can be prepared from lemon (2 parts) and orange (1 part) juice, as well as 100 ml of milk. The ingredients are mixed, warmed up to 75 - 80 ° C and cooled.
Than to replace a tonic for the face?
An alternative to the purchased cosmetics will be rose water - a tool that has been tested for centuries by the beauties of all countries. To prepare this "tonic" you need 4 handfuls of petals of scarlet roses and mineral water (with normal / oily skin) or high-quality olive oil (with a dry type).
The petals are poured with a liquid so that it covers them completely, and put the future rose water on a weak fire. Cook until the petals completely lose color. After cooling down and filtering the product is ready.