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Astringent is a cosmetic substance that tends to shrink your skin pores. If you have large pores on your face, dabbing it with a bit of astringent can help remove any dirt or oil that is settled in the pores. It is highly recommended that women suffering from acne and oily skin use astringent to enhance their skin texture.
How To Apply Astringent
Astringent has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and can help prevent infections in the skin. An astringent is applied after cleansing the face. After the astringent has dried out, you can follow it up with the application of a moisturizer and your makeup.
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Benefits of Using Astringent
According to skin experts, astringent should be used in the right way and quantity to ensure maximum benefits. Improper usage can result in dry and flaky skin, thus making you appear wrinkled and aged. Below we have discussed the benefits of using astringent to help you better:
- It assists in binding the skin pores by shrinking them.
- It prevents your skin from getting exposed to the sun’s rays, dust, and dirt by closing the pores.
- Astringent also keeps your skin fresh and fungal-free.
- It helps in closing the pores and practically cleaning your skin. Astringents also help in keeping pimples, scars, and acne at bay.
- Their anti-inflammatory property keeps your skin soothed and relaxed.
Natural Astringents Vs. Commercial Astringents
You will easily find multiple cosmetic brands in stores; however, it is always better to bank on natural solutions. Opt for alcohol-free DIY astringents, as apart from being safe and suitable for your skin, homemade solutions are more budget-friendly.
5 Natural Homemade Astringents to Bank On
Read below to get informed about the best 5 homemade astringents that are not only handy but also effective and pocket friendly:
1. Fruit/ vegetable juices
The juice extracted from cucumber, juice of citrus fruits like lemon and orange, tomato juice – all help in cleansing, reducing oiliness, and tightening the pores. Not just that, because of their properties, they also make you look fresh and bright. To use them as an astringent, extract their juice and store it in a bottle in the fridge. After cleansing your face, apply it all over the face with a cotton ball. Leave it for two minutes and wash it off with cold water. Tap your face dry.
2. Rosewater
Rosewater acts as a mild toner and works best for dry or normal skin women. Buy good quality rosewater and apply it to the face after cleansing. Please leave it to dry and apply moisturizer immediately. It not only tightens pores but also keeps you smelling fresh! For best results, use chilled rosewater. You can also dilute it, put it in a spray bottle, and use it as a mist.
3. Chamomile
The fragrance of Chamomile has a calming effect on the mind because of its anti-depressants properties. It also soothes irritated skin and works wonders when used as a toner. Boil one and half cups of water. To this, add a tsp of dried chamomile leaves. If using a chamomile tea bag, dunk a whole tea bag in the water. Let it boil. You can add some mint leaves to this for additional freshness. Strain and bottle it up and store it in the fridge. Your super-smelling toner is ready for use. Dab some on your face before applying moisturizer for really fresh skin.
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4. Witch hazel
If you can get your hands on a bottle of witch hazel, then there is no better natural astringent you can have. It reduces oiliness, clears out acne, and dries up your pimples. In addition, it can be directly applied to the skin for best results.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
How can I not mention ACV when talking about astringents? It clarifies the skin, hydrates it, and leaves it clean and oil-free. However, it does have a powerful smell. So mix one part of ACV into two parts of water and add a few spoons of rosewater to counter the smell. Make in small batches and refrigerate. For better results, you can drop in one aspirin tablet into this. The salicylic acid in the aspirin cleans out pores and prevents acne.
Frequently Asked Questions –
Why are astringents good for your skin?
Astringents are mostly recommended for oily skinned beauties as it helps remove extra oil, dirt, and impurities from the skin. In addition, it improves the physical appearance of the face by shrinking pores. If you apply makeup, use astringent to cleanse your face before going to bed thoroughly.
Can we use astringent daily?
If you have normal skin, go for a mild toner instead of astringent. Astringent tends to make your skin dry hence it is not recommended to use it daily. Use it daily only if you have acne-prone oily skin.
Are astringent and toner the same thing?
Both are used to cleanse excess dirt and oil from the skin. Typically toner is milder than astringent and can be used daily. On the other hand, astringents often contain alcohol and are mainly recommended for people with oily skin. Astringents are used for shrinking large pores.
Is lemon juice an astringent?
Lemon juice has antibacterial properties and is somewhat similar to a mild astringent. You can apply lemon juice directly to your face to remove dirt, oil, and impurities.
Is it wrong to put alcohol on your pimples?
Research shows rubbing alcohol can cleanse bacteria responsible for acne and pimple, and it helps dry out the affected areas. However, people with sensitive skin should avoid alcohol as it can cause dryness and peeling.
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