drawback is the scent: the toner contains too many essential oils, such as lavender, orange, patchouli,
geranium, and mandarin, which can be a problem for those “blessed” with sensitive, fragile skin.
For dehydrated skin, Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta & English Lavender Facial Toner
1 , a green cocktail of witch hazel, flowers, and plants, delivers a healthy dose of nourishment. Aubrey
Hampton, the creator of the line, uses whole organic chamomile, calendula, lavender, peppermint,
and extracts of linden, sage, clematis, Saint John’s wort, burdock, bladder wrack, horsetail,
cucumber, and elder flower, enhanced by rose hip seed oil (Rosa Mosqueta) and rose oil. However,
lemon juice, as well as arnica and peppermint, may be too irritating for sensitive types. I found that
this toner does deliver a good deal of moisture, especially if you have overindulged in the sun or
spent a winter day outdoors.
If you can buy just one organic beauty product, it should be Clarifying Facial Toner by Dr.
Hauschka.A cult celebrity and makeup artist favorite, this alcohol-containing, witch hazel–based
toner with kidney vetch, calendula, echinacea, horse chestnut, daisy, and rose is surprisingly gentle
even on sensitive, post-beach skin, while another of Dr. H’s toners, plain Facial Toner, contains
much fewer beneficial herbs and a bit more alcohol. Dr. Hauschka’s experts recommend using toners
and nothing else when you go to sleep, but I found that if your skin feels tight, this toner is best
combined with lightweight oily serum.
Making Your Own Toners
To prepare a toner, you will need a bottle of mineral or spring water, preferably with a high
content of magnesium. You can purify mineral water by passing it through a jug filter, such as Brita.
You will also need a glass spray bottle. Plastic bottles with vaporizers are fine, but why spend time
creating purely organic products only to pack them into petrochemical plastic? Besides, glass bottles
look so much better on your bathroom counter. Buy bottles in bulk on eBay or specialized online
stores that cater to small cosmetic businesses. Homemade toners, especially with pretty, handmade
labels and perhaps a dried flower or two floating inside, make wonderful holiday gifts.
Green Garden Moisturizing Toner
4 ounces purified mineral water
2 drops carrot seed oil
1 drop sandalwood oil
1 drop chamomile oil
Yield:
4 ouncesThis is a homemade duplicate of the famous Burt’s Bees Carrot Seed Complexion Mist, but the
potentially irritating balsam peru, ylang-ylang, and vetiver oils have been replaced with gentler