distilled water with a small percentage of plant extracts. Mineral water by itself can make a
wonderful and inexpensive toner. A really good toner I once stumbled upon contained seawater as its
main ingredient. Unfortunately, the same toner contained too many synthetic and even toxic chemicals
to consider adding it to the Green Product Guide. For your homemade toners, choose mineral water
with a high content of magnesium, which is very soothing.
Some companies advertise their toners as “irritant-free.” This doesn’t mean that you must blindly
obey and skip checking the product’s ingredients list. If you notice any ingredients that bother your
skin, find another toner. Common irritants include menthol (menthol, menthyl acetate, and menthyl
PCA), citrus oils and juices (orange, grapefruit, bergamot, lemon, lime), ylang-ylang, jasmine, arnica,
camphor, and many fragrance components.
As with all skin care products, don’t use any toner, organic or not, that makes your skin burn, sting,
redden, swell, flake, or break out. Nor should the toner leave your skin feeling dry, tight, and
irritated. Return it to the store where you bought it and try a different product. If any skin reaction
lasts longer than three weeks, consult your doctor.
Green Product Guide: Toners
When you buy a new toner to replace your less-than-green astringent or add a specialized toner to
clarify blemishes or soothe a sensitive complexion, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Let
your cleanser, exfoliating cream, and moisturizer do the major work. Let your toner complement your
skin care efforts and gently soothe your skin after a day at the office or vigorous activity. Do not make
toner the heavy-hitter in your beauty regimen. The following are my recommended toning products,
rated from one to three leaves, with three being my favorite.
Santaverde Pure Aloe Vera Spray is a versatile green creation that can double as a lightweight
moisturizer for acne-prone skin. Apart from the juice of aloe vera (grown and harvested by
Santaverde) and salicylic acid–rich black willow extract, it contains synthetic, albeit safe, levulinic
acid, which is used during photodynamic therapy for acne. This acid is normally produced from
refined petroleum, but it can also be made from starch by boiling it with diluted hydrochloric or
sulfuric acids. If not for this acid, this toner could well earn two or three stars.
Burt’s Bees Garden Tomato Toner is a perfectly “green” astringent you may like if you have
acne blemishes or use foaming soaps and cleansers. This acidic toner is a potent blend of grain
alcohol and extracts of tomato, bilberry, and sugarcane, all natural sources of alpha hydroxy acids. To
soothe the skin, this toner employs green tea and cucumber. I found that with daily use this toner helps
fade postacne marks, thanks to the parsley and cucumber, both traditional skin lighteners. Last but not
least, it smells like freshly tossed green salad.
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion is a
luxuriousmultitasker. It soothes,moisturizes, fights blemishes, and prevents wrinkles. Formulated for
Origins by the guru of integrative medicine, this useful addition to the Mega-Mushroom line contains
magnesium-rich mushroom extracts, soothing and antioxidant cordyceps, ginger, basil, and turmeric
plus. The water-based, slightly slippery toner does not come cheap, so the savviest way to use it is to
splash it on your face with your fingertips—don’t waste a single drop with a cotton ball! The only