Oh my gosh, do you remember Sea Breeze??  Back in the day, “Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize” was the thing to do.  Most of us eventually gave up on that routine, thankfully, since most toners are just water and rubbing alcohol.  The next generation of toners, however, rock.  Although I was skeptical at first, I have become a big believer.  Clean toners can restore the pH balance to your skin after cleansing as well as prime the skin for moisturizer, helping it to really sink in and do its job.  Many mornings, since I cleansed the night before, I don’t feel the need to do it again, so I use a toner instead and moisturize as usual.  For some reason, I think my skin looks its best on those days….  Here are some of my favorites:

AMALA PURIFYING TONER

I’ve mentioned before that I love Amala’s Purifying line.  This toner employs blue lotus and rice powder to control oil, leaving a matte finish.  It also works long-term to gently unclog pores.  Cost: about $30 for 1.7 oz.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: water (aqua), aloe barbadensis leaf (aloe vera) extract*, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) flower water*, nymphea coerulea (blue egyptian water lily) flower water*, alcohol*, rosa damascena (damask rose) flower water*, glycerin, plantago lanceolata (ribwort plantain) leaf extract*, salix alba (willow) bark extract*, centella (centella) asiatica extract*, camellia sinensis (tea) leaf extract*, zingiber officinale (ginger) extract*, oryza sativa (rice) germ extract*, cetraria islandica (iceland moss) extract*, vanilla planifolia (vanilla orchid) fruit extract*, dipteryx odorata bean extract.  *Certified Organic

ILA HYDROLAT TONER

Good, old-fashioned, pure rose water.  Some of history’s greatest beauties swore by it.  Cost: about $54 for 7 oz.  Purchase it here.

DR. ALKAITIS ORGANIC HERBAL TONER

This toner is more like a lightweight gel, but it isn’t sticky and it sinks right into your skin.  It has wonderful moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties.  Those with oily skin can use it as an all-in-one toner/moisturizer.  It can also be used on minor cuts, bruises and burns and it doubles as a great after-sun solution.  Cost: about $55 for 4 oz.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: into a base of aloe vera gel*, witch hazel and organic grain alcohol* (from the fermentation of organically grown grains),the following organic and wild-crafted herbs are blended (greater nettle*, wild chamomile flowersº, myrrhº, european elder blossoms*, marsh mallow*, french lavender flowers*, curacao orange*, benzoinº, rosemary*, wild fennelº andbalm mint* ) grapefruit* extract,lemon* extract, sea oakº, atlantic kelpº, pearl mossº,also added are natural vitamin b and vitamin c complexes and 100% pure essential oils.   *Certified Organicº Ethically wild-crafted

VERED ORGANIC BOTANICALS HERB-INFUSED TONER

This is my personal favorite.  This toner leaves skin pH balanced and can be used as a moisturizer for more oily skin.  It is very gentle and is suitable for all skin types.  In the summer I use it alone and in the winter I use it under Vered’s Balancing Face Oil.  It is a killer-combination.  Cost: about $55 for 3.4 oz.  Purchase it here.

Ingredients: ethanol (grape alcohol)*, aqua (distilled water),vegetable glycerin,equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract*, 
stellaria media (chickweed) extract*, urtica dioica (nettle) extract*, 
berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape root) extract*, 
symphytum officinale (comfrey leaf and root) extract*, 
rosa sinensis (hibiscus) flower extract*,
cymbopogon citrates (lemongrass) essential oil*, 
helichrysum arenarium (helichrysum) flower extract*, 
salvia officinalis (sage) essential oil*, 
japonica lonicera (japanese honeysuckle) extract*.  *Certified Organic.  **Certified Organic or Wild Crafted 

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Have a great day!