How To Use Organic Facial Herbs

Posted on April 17, 2016

Using Herbs for Facial Skin Care & Toners

Whether you call them facial herbs, facial teas, facial steams, or facial toning herbs, Organic Herbal Facial Teas are a great addition to your facial care regimen.

Facial teas are easy to make. You can create your own facial teas, toners and steams using a single herb or your own blends.

Learn about many of the suggested herbs for facial care herbs on our blog, "Facial Care Herbs."

We know that many of our customers have very busy lives so we have included a few facial teas in our product line. Although the recipes on this page are based on using our Facial Tea Blends, you can always substitute your own creations in the recipes.

Click here to check out our Organic Herbal Facial Steams & Toners

How To Use Organic Herbal Facial Teas

Botanical treats for your face, our facial teas are made with organic herbal blends carefully chosen for their properties.

Aromatic oils of the herbs, rich in nutrients that soothe and tone skin, are released into the heated water and absorbed by the skin.
Astringent and problem skin blends are great as toners
Congestion blend is an awesome steam for those who suffer from colds and sinus and allergy problems.

Facial Steams

A facial steam, one of the most ancient practices for facial skin, is marvelous for your skin.

Congested pores, dull complexion, uneven skin, whiteheads, and blackheads are often signs of clogged skin pores. Clogged pores can be caused by a number of factors such as excess fat and oil, dead skin cells, environmental pollution, makeup residue, and dirt.

Steaming expands pores, loosens dirt and debris in pores, and allows pores to breathe as impurities are forced out. The warm moist heat hydrates the skin, improves circulation, relaxes muscles, plumps wrinkles, loosens debris, softens rough skin, and allows the moisturizer you apply afterward to penetrate deeper.

An organic herbal facial steam can stimulate circulation and bring a bright complexion and rosy glow back to dry, dull, lackluster complexions. They are also delightfully relaxing!

Although many people benefit from facial steams, they are not appropriate for everyone. Steam facials should not be used for those with cystic acne or rosacea and heat and sweating can often irritate eczema.

For folks who have extremely sensitive, damaged skin or who are prone to developing tiny broken veins or capillaries, herbal steams can be irritating and should be avoided unless suggested by a health care provider.

People with health conditions such as asthma or heart trouble should consult their physician before doing facial steams. If you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin, you should always do a skin patch test before using any new product.

Just like you should not sit too long in a steam room, you do not want to facial steam too long or too often. Listen to YOUR skin! A word of caution-- If you feel light-headed or woozy during steaming, stop at once.

I like to use reusable muslin bags for my herbal infusions. You can also use a few layers of cheesecloth, cotton cloth, or even an old clean sock tied up in a ball.

Herbal Facial Steam Recipe:

Fill a muslin bag with 1/4 cup of herbs
Place the bag in a pot or heatproof bowl
Pour 2 quarts of boiling water over the herbal bag
Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes

How To Use:

Place a bowl on a heatproof surface where you can comfortably sit
Holding your head 12 inches from the bowl, drape a large towel over the head and bowl to capture steaming herbal water
If it gets too hot under the towel--lift a corner to let in a little cool air
Steam for 5 -10 minutes
Splash face with cool water and pat dry
When finished empty the bag and compost the herbs
Rinse the muslin bag and allow it to dry

Herbal Facial Steam With Apple Cider Vinegar

You can add apple cider vinegar (ACV) to the facial steam to enhance toning and cleanse pores

Do not bring your face too close to the bowl/water.

Follow the recipe and "How to Use" instructions for Facial Steam
Add 1/8 to 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (raw vinegar works best) to water with herbs
Always start out with a smaller amount when trying a new product
Vinegar can sting eyes and mucous membranes so keep your eyes closed during the steam
See our Herbal Astringent Facial Tea

Facial TONER

Some people like to use a toner in between washing and moisturizing.

A toner should be made with natural ingredients. A “natural” face toner is a toner without alcohol, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. Although these natural toners will not provide all of the super astringent and cleansing that you get from a more traditional toner, they will not strip your skin either.

So what can a herbal toner do for your skin? It can hydrate your skin, refresh your skin and soothe and calm irritated skin depending on the herbs that you use.

Simple Herbal Facial Toner

Fill a muslin bag with 1/4 cup of herbs
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbal bag
Cover and steep for at least 10 minutes
Allow to cool and remove herbs from tea

How to Use:

Use cotton balls or clean fingertips to apply the herbal facial toner after cleansing
Some people prefer to pour it into a small spray bottle and spritz it on
Our tea formula, alcohol-free and non-drying, does not need not be rinsed
Tea will last about 7 days if refrigerated
When finished empty the bag and compost the herbs
Rinse the muslin bag and allow it to dry

Quick Honey Tip: For either the simple toner or the toner with apple cider vinegar, add about 1 tablespoon of raw honey to 1 cup of the hot tea or tea with vinegar before it cools. Stir to mix. Use as indicated.

If you would like to make your own Herbal Toner, you can read about herbs that are good for facial skin on our blog, Herbs For Facial Care. I have also made a simple

toner with a cup of cool green tea or chamomile tea.

Use Our Herbal Astringent Tea As A Toner With Vinegar

You can add apple cider vinegar (ACV) to the facial tea to enhance the toning effect

Follow the recipe and "How to Use" instructions for Herbal Toner and add:

1/8 to 1 cup of apple cider vinegar (use raw vinegar or one of our herbal-infused Vinegar Hair Rinses) to water with herbs*
Cover & steep
The amount of ACV depends on skin type. Dry skin--use more water. Oily skin--use more vinegar
Allow mixture to cool
Shake well and dab on the face after cleansing using a clean cotton pad or your clean hands
Some people prefer to pour it into a small spray bottle and spritz it on
See notes below for storage tips

Suggested ratios of ACV to Liquid based on skin type:

Below there are some typical suggestions for the ratio of ACV to Facial Tea depending on skin type. Remember that your skin is unique.

If you have sensitive skin or if you are new to vinegar facial toners, I suggest you start out using even less vinegar than suggested below.

For sensitive skin, I would first try only 1 teaspoon of vinegar to 4 tablespoons of tea. If that is too strong for your skin, add more tea. If it is not strong enough and you do not notice any of the benefits, add more apple cider vinegar.

Working with Ratios: A ratio of 1 to 4 simply means that for every 1 of something, there are 4 of something else, with a total of 5. One “part” is any measurement you chose to use. So, if you are making the dry/sensitive skin ratio, you could mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons of tea or water.

Dry/Sensitive Skin: 1:4 ratio

1 part ACV to 4 parts liquid
Example: 1/4 cup ACV to 1 cup tea OR 1 tablespoon ACV to 4 tablespoons of tea

Normal Combination Skin: 1:2 ratio

1 part ACV to 2 parts liquid
Example: 1/2 cup ACV to 1 cup tea OR 1 tablespoon ACV to 2 tablespoons of tea

Oily Skin: 1:1 ratio

1 part ACV to 1 parts liquid
Example: 1/2 cup ACV to 1/2 cup tea OR 1 tablespoon ACV to 1 tablespoon of tea

Storage Tips for Toners Made with Tea

Since homemade toners made with herbal tea only are preservative-free they are best kept in the refrigerator and used within 3 days.

When making a toner using vinegar and tea the concentration of vinegar to tea used in your toner recipe and the amount you make will affect the storage technique as well as how long it remains fresh.

Due to the acid content, vinegar will act as a preservative and most toner recipes can last 3-4 weeks if left in a cool, dark place. However, a very dilute vinegar toner will have to be refrigerated. If you plan on making more vinegar toner than you will use in one month, the extra should be refrigerated.

I usually make only 4 ounces of toner (1:2 ratio) which, for me, will last about one month. I refrigerate my tea-only toner, but not my tea with vinegar toner.

There Are So Many Ways To Use These Versatile Facial Teas!

Herbal Compress for Irritated Skin

Organic Dried Herbs & Botanicals for Hair Care Using facial herbs as a compress for irritated skin is a time-honored treatment. A warm herbal compress will release the energy of herbs and allow them to penetrate deep into your skin for natural healing!

Fill a muslin bag with 1/4 cup of herbs
Fill a sink or basin with very warm water
Submerge the herbal bag in water until thoroughly wet
You are aiming for a bag of warm and wet herbs

How To Use:

Be sure the bag is a comfortable warm temperature
Apply the herbal compress to irritated skin
You will get the most benefit if you can rest the bag on the affected area for at least 5 minutes--so find a place you can relax, lay back and enjoy the natural aroma and warmth, and energy of the herbs as they work themselves deep into your skin for natural healing!
When finished empty the bag and compost the herbs
Rinse the muslin bag and allow it to dry

Herbal Washcloth

If you need to wash your face often or just want to give your skin a break from soap or cleansing agents, try using a bag of specially formulated facial herbs.

The gentle exfoliation from the muslin bag will help buff away dead skin cells, unclog pores and brighten your skin.

Fill a muslin bag with 1/4 cup of herbs
Fill a sink or basin with very warm water
Submerge the herbal bag in water until thoroughly wet
You are aiming for a bag of warm and wet herbs

How To Use:

Use the bag of herbs to massage your face in gentle, wide, circular upstrokes
If the bag seems dry dip it in some warm water
Rinse with tepid (warm/cool) water and pat dry
When finished empty the bag and compost the herbs
Rinse the muslin bag and allow it to dry

Recipes For Our Congestion Blend Bath Tea And Facial Steam

Natural Organic Herbal Bath & Face Tea for Congestion Relief Our Congestion Blend Tea is an herbal bath and facial steam formulated with aromatic herbs and a touch of aromatic essential oils formulated to help relieve congestion.

Although herbal steam cannot cure a cold or flu, when inhaled, the decongestant and antiseptic herbal aromatics help open up congested sinuses and lung passageways.

Inhaling steam vapors helps thin mucus trapped in the sinuses, allowing the mucus to drain more easily. Steam inhalation is a great old-fashioned remedy for colds, coughs, and congestion.

Congestion Bath Tea Recipe: Fill a muslin bag with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of herbs. Hang the tightly closed bag from the faucet and allow hot water to run through the bag. Or place the bag in the bath under very warm running water. Squeeze the bag to release the botanical essence. Relax and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

Congestion Facial/Head Steam Recipe: Place ¼ cup of herbs into a muslin bag. Place the bag in a heatproof bowl. Pour 2 quarts of boiling water over the herbs. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Place the bowl on a heatproof surface where you can comfortably sit. Hold your head 12 inches from the bowl and drape a large towel over your head and the bowl to capture the steam.

If it gets too hot --lift a corner to let in some cool air. Steam for 5 -10 minutes. For nasal congestion inhale through your nose. If nasal passages are blocked, breathe through your mouth with pursed lips to help direct the steam upward to nasal passages.

Other ways to use our Congestion Blend Bath Tea

Potpourri: Place herbs into a potpourri simmering pot to keep near when congested

Compress: The warm herbal bag may be used as a compress on your temples, neck, or other pulse points. When finished empty and rinse the bag and allow it to dry.

Sniffy Bag: Place a dry herbal bag under your pillow. Carry one in your purse. Use on airplanes for relief from cabin stuffiness.

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