Natural Facial Toner

 

Skin care can be confusing and expensive. What do you use? Is more expensive better or do you just buy whatever the drug store have? And then we get into major topic of toxins. There are hundreds of chemicals that are allowed into our personal care products without any regulation. It allows for cheap products to be made that last a long time on a shelf. But what isn’t taken into consideration is how it affects your body when you are using it day after day.

Below is an episode of Lifewise TV where I show you how easy it is to make this DIY facial toner.

I’ve included my top eight toxins that are lurking in our personal care products:

1. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS): This is one of the most common toxins in our personal products. It is in nearly all shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, lotions, body wash, cleansers, makeup, hand soup and dish and laundry soap. SLS actually originates from coconut but in chemical form there is nothing natural. The EWG Cosmetics Database as a “denaturant, surfactant cleansing agent, emulsifier and foamer”. It is also classified as a moderate hazard. It has been linked to organ toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, cellular changes and possible cancers.

2. Parabens: This is one of the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics, lotions, soaps, shampoos and moisturizers. Parabens are known endocrine (hormone) disruptors by mimicking estrogen. They are linked to estrogen driven cancers, infertility, early puberty and increased menstrual symptoms and menopause symptoms. Parabens are labeled on the bottle.

3. Phthalates: They are industrial chemicals that are used in solvents in many mainstream personal care products such as cosmetics, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish and perfumes. Known to disrupt the function of the kidneys, liver and reproductive system. Phthalates aren’t often named on a product label. Look for the word “fragrance” and you will know that there are phthalates and other dangerous chemicals found in the product.

4. Petroleum: Also known as mineral oil but is really crude oil. It is used in so many cosmetics, baby shampoo and lotions, lip balm, lip stick, face creams. They clog our pours and build up toxins in our body because the skin can not properly detoxify. It can cause endocrine disruption and can bio accumulate in the body.

5. Diethanolamine (DEA): This is used because it gives products their lather. Often found in cleaning products, shampoos, body wash and really, most things that lather. It has been linked to many different types of cancers.

6. Fragrance: We think that when we read fragrance that it should be natural, right? But the word fragrance can be used to describe many dangerous chemicals and are far from anything natural (up to 600 chemicals can be described as fragrance). Fragrance is what makes your products smell good. It’s also listed as perfume. These are one of the top 5 toxins in the world and can damage muscles, memory, speech, hearing and vision. It is also a very dangerous neurotoxin. Make sure that all of your products list where the smell comes from (natural essential oils are my favorite).

7. Heavy Metals: If you know me, you know I have a major disdain for heavy metals. They are an unknown epidemic in our country and the cause of many of our health problems. Heavy metals are still present in deodorant (aluminum) and many make-ups. Heavy metals are most commonly found in dark black pigments (eyeliners/ mascara) and bright red and pink pigments (lipsticks). Often time lead is known as Kohl in makeup. And don’t think that heavy metals are only found in cheap make up. They are found in some prestigious products. If you want to find out the toxicity of your personal care products, check out the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.

8. Dioxins: These are petrochemical solvents. They are produced during manufacturing. Dioxins were one of the first things I learned about in my natural journey. Did you know that dioxins are also in bleached products such as diapers and conventional tampons? They react with the chlorine in water and become even more carcinogenic. Dioxins are in antibacterial soap. We don’t have antibacterial soap in our home, but the soap is everywhere when you are out of the home. Almost all public soaps are antibacterial. Do you know what my solution is? I avoid those soaps and wash with water and scrubbing. And often times I use my Thieves essential oil right out of the bottle or a spray made with Thieves and water. Dioxins do not have to be labeled on a bottle.

Do you want to know what toxins are lurking in your personal care products and see how they rank?

Go to Skin Deep, the Cosmetic Database and Find Out

After listing all of these chemicals in our personal care products you know the importance of knowing what’s in the products that you use on a daily basis. There are some healthy and chemical free products on the market for you to use. That’s if you don’t want to make your own products. This DIY Natural Facial Tonor is super easy, effective and completely chemical free. Plus, it doesn’t cost much money to make either, which is just an added bonus.

Here are the skin benefits of the ingredients in this Natural Facial Toner:

Witch Hazel: This is a natural astringent that helps to reduce inflammation of the skin and decreasing the production of oil. It’s great for use in this toner because it is very mild on the skin. It also helps to clean your face and tighten pores. Witch hazel has also been shown to decrease acne and blemishes.

Apple Cider Vinegar: I love all things apple cider vinegar (ACV). On your skin ACV helps to balance the pH of the skin and also helps hydration of the skin. It also helps blast blemishes while still being gentle on the skin.

Vegetable Glycerine: This sill assist in moisturizing your skin and allow the essential oils to mix into the toner.

 

Ingredients

1/4 cup witch hazel

2 Tbs apple cider vinegar

2 Tbs purified water

1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

10 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops frankincense essential oil

5 drops orange or geranium essential oil (optional)

Directions

• Using a small funnel, mix all ingredients in a 4 ounce glass spray bottle (Pack of 3 here)
• Spray on a cotton ball, cotton pad or reusable facial sponge with facial tonor and wipe over entire face, avoiding the eyes

 

Learn More About Essential Oils: Ready to buy your Young Living Premium Starter Kit?

 

Here’s what you get with the Starter Kit:

• Ten 5ml bottles of essential oils: Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, Frankincense, PanAway, R.C., Thieves, Purification, DiGize, and Copiaba. Plus a bonus bottle of the Stress Away blend.
• A Diffuser (you get to choose)
• Aroma Glide roller fitment (you can make any essential oil bottle a roll on)
• 10 Essential Oil Sample Bottles (great to share)
• Sample packets each of Lavender, Peppermint, Peace & Calming, Lemon, and Thieves (two of each)
• Two NingXia Red 2oz samples (Young Living’s antioxidant drink, great for daily wellness)

Total value: Over $300, You purchase it all for $160

Sources:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/07/13/sodium-lauryl-sulfate.aspx

http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/phthalates.htm

http://skinplicityofcary.com/2012/12/03/so-what-is-wrong-with-petroleum-jelly-aka-vaseline/

http://skincare.allwomenstalk.com/reasons-to-add-witch-hazel-in-your-skin-care-routine/5/

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