Are Astringents Good for Acne?

Yes, astringents are good for acne. Astringents can assist get rid of dirt and bacteria pores, both of which can cause acne. Astringents are frequently used to tighten skin pores after washing the face. However, for people with acne, astringents can irritate the skin and cause a breakout.

An Astringent is a compound or a substance that can draw or constrict together body tissues, and it is the reason why it turns out to have so many uses in both cosmetic and medicinal sector.Some astringents are utilized on the skin surface to tighten the skin tissues, while others are used internally to contract the mucous membrane.

Are Astringents Good For Your Skin?

Four Main Reasons Astringent Are Good For Your Skin

If you have an interest in cosmetics, then the chances are high that you’ve come across this substance known as astringent; and that’s why we’ve listed some of the essential benefits you might want to learn. Before we look at the benefits let's first look at what is astringent.

Before we look at the benefits, let's first look at what is astringent. Astringents are liquid-founded formulas, usually comprising of isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). There are also natural astringents containing alcohol from botanicals and even alcohol-free astringents.

Do not use alcohol-based astringents in case you have dry skin. Alcohol-based treatments can dry out your skin and make acne worse. Read on to discover the benefits and side effects of astringents, and how to add astringents to your regular skin care routine. In case you have oily skin that is prone to breakouts, you might be tempted to include an astringent to your daily skincare routine. Astringents may help cleanse the skin, tighten pores, and dry out oil.

Astringent Leads to a Tighter and Smoother Skin

Everyone desires their skin to be tighter and smoother right? Well, this is one of the main benefits of using an astringent.

Astringents Function To Maintain pH Balance of Your Skin

Another benefit to utilizing astringents is that they can aid in balancing the pH levels of your skin naturally.

It is a fact when talking about Vitamin C serum, and it's true of other components as well. And this is where the role of Astringents comes to life. They function to revive and maintain the pH balance to your skin naturally.

Astringent Maintains a Balance Between Good and Bad Bacteria

Also, they also help to fight off bacteria and even fungus naturally. Some bacteria are good, and others are harmful. But you should remember to keep these different bacterial species in accord with each other. An overgrowth of harmful bacteria may lead to skin problems such as acne. So utilizing an astringent may naturally help maintain this harmony and keep your skin looking fresh and fabulous.

Astringent Maintains Evenness of The Skin

And lastly, astringents may aid in cooling down inflammation, reduce the healing time of sores and reduce natural oils in the skin.

Should You Use Astringents?

In many occasions, you will probably want to opt for a toner rather than an astringent simply because how well toners are permissible. If you belong in any of the categories below, you can still think of using a potent astringent:

If you don't fall into any of these three categories, then you may want to keep on using a high quality based toner which is conducive among all skin types.

Side Effects from Using Astringents Too Frequently

The most common side effects of using an astringent too often are usually just dry skin. But long-term use of potent astringents can also alter pH levels on the skin surface, increase your risk of developing breakouts and acne, and even modify bacterial concentrations on your skin. You can thwart these adverse side effects by either switching to a toner (which is less potent) or reducing how often you use your astringent.

How To Apply Astringent

How To Apply Astringent To Your Face

An Astringent may is one of the most essential, yet most neglected, beauty product to help keep your skin acne-free and healthy. The leading cause of acne is bacteria, which finds a place to flourish within your pores. When pores contain many dead skin cells, oil, and dirt, bacteria are functioning at an optimum. Astringent can assist in combating all of those issues simply and easily.

Buy an Economical Astringent For Frequent Use

Buy an economical astringent for daily skin care. While there are many excellent astringent beauty products available on the market, they all include the same essential components, so it is not logical to spend a lot of money. Even though astringent is fantastic for all skin types, if you happen to have dehydrated skin, you can opt for a toner as an alternative; because it contains astringent aspects but does not overdry delicate skin.

Use and Antibacterial Soap To Clean Your Face Before Using An Astringent

Rinse your face thoroughly and through with mild soap and warm water, patting dry. If you have harsh acne, you may find it helpful to use a gentle facial soap with antibacterial qualities. Ensure that you rinse away all soap residues before you apply the astringent.

How To Apply Astringent On Your Face

Spread a tiny amount of astringent onto a cotton makeup pad and then apply to your skin using a patting motion. It is crucial not to rub or smear beauty products onto the skin surface because it will spread acne-generating bacteria. Start with a minimal amount of astringent, adding more as you need.

Finishing Touches With an Astringent

Mask your whole face with the astringent and take pleasure in the refreshing tickle. Utilize an astringent two to three times every day to keep your skin healthy and clear. Apply a light moisturizer after you've used the astringent.

Natural Astringent For Acne

8 All-Natural Astringent For Acne

All-natural astringents offer a fantastic display of beauty and skincare benefits, including combating bacteria to making skin look both radiant and toned. These options below are excellent alternatives to commercial astringents and are deserving of a spot in any dedicated skincare treatment routine.

Rose Water Maintains Your Skin pH Level

It is a gentle astringent that has been in use for centuries to enhance skin appearance. When you spread some splashes of rose water, you'll be able to help balance your skin’s pH level, reduce the size of pores, and reduce irritation or inflammation–especially for those who have sensitive skin surface. Applying rose water a great way to both soothe and cleanse your skin, thus maintaining a healthy glow.

Green Tea is a Natural Astringent That Makes Skin Tighter and Firmer

Green tea is an astringent that is rich in catechins; a natural compound that functions to make skin firmer and tighter. Tea is equally rich in antioxidants, which fight the free radicals responsible for age spots, lines, and wrinkles. When you apply it locally, it can serve as a skin toner, help reduce the severity of acne breakouts and minimize sun damage. For best results, make a concoction of a fresh bag of green tea, leave the bag to cool, then use it to pat your face gently.

Witch Hazel, Multi-purpose and a Popular Astringent

The Witch hazel is one of the most popular natural astringents. While you can sometimes mix it with alcohol, people who have naturally dry skin can also buy alcohol-free extracts. Witch hazel cleanses away oil and dead skin cells, tightens pores, and provides protection from both bacteria and fungi, making it a multi-purpose addition to any beauty treatment.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a Great Versatile Astringent

Vinegar night be the most multi-purpose product available in our kitchens. You can mix it with water and utilize it as an economical astringent. Despite apple cider vinegar having a strong smell, it is a great all-natural astringent, boasting many benefits for your skin. It shrinks and cleanses pores, fights off infections, reduces inflammation, and regulates skin pH. Look for non-distilled, unfiltered vinegar, which should contain a deep reddish-brown tone.

Citrus Juice Prevents Skin Breakouts

Juices extract from fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit contain natural healing features, keeping bacteria at bay while functioning to reduce breakouts, unclog pores, and revive dry skin. Spread freshly squeezed juice onto your face and let it rest for two to three minutes before cleaning it away. You may also combine witch hazel with citrus juice with for an even more potent result.

Basil Leaves Soaked and Use as an Astringent

There's another toner or homemade astringent that you can make by soaking basil leaves in water that is boiling. Take a bowl of boiling water, and soak 2 to 3 teaspoons of dried basil leaves inside. Let the leaves soak for an average of 15 to 20 minutes, and you can then drain the water and utilize it as an astringent. To avoid wastage, store the remaining water in a container or a glass bottle for future use.

Mint as an Astringent Maintains Skin’s Consistency

It is a common ingredient in both beauty products and cleaners due to its refreshing scent and its ability to mitigate irritation, redness, and itching. You can equally use mint in enhancing the consistency of skin tone, and its natural salicylic acid component easily removes dead skin cells. One of the easiest ways to put into use mint’s benefits is to either chop or crush fresh leaves and soak them in other astringents, such as rose water or witch hazel.

Cucumber is a Gentle Astringent

Most people know that the frequent use of cucumbers is to reduce dark circles and puffiness and the eyes, but they also double up as a gentle astringent with some different skincare uses. The silica component in cucumbers helps limit the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, while caffeic acid and vitamin C and softens and reduce swelling, and mitigate itching caused by either dry skin or rashes. Use slices of cucumber, add them to meals or soak them in other astringents to get the most out of a cucumber.

Astringent vs. Toner

An astringent is similar to a toner. It is also a liquid-based (usually water) formula used to eliminate irritants from the skin’s surface and even out the skin tone. Whereas astringents are basically used for oily, acne-vulnerable skin, toners can be used on more skin types, encompassing dry, sensitive, and combination skin. Some common ingredients in toners include:

Astringents for oily skin may contain:

Consult your dermatologist in case you are not certain if toner or astringent is better for your skin type. They can advise on products containing ingredients that are safe for you to use.

Where to buy an astringent?

You can purchase astringents at the drugstore, your local pharmacy, or online. In case you have oily skin, choose an astringent which have ingredients such as salicylic acid, witch hazel, or citric acid. These will help manage oily skin without over-drying. In case you have combination or dry skin that is also prone to acne, look for a toner that comprises of glycerin or glycol plus ingredients such as hyaluronic or lactic acid. This will help treat your skin, whereas also hydrating and protecting it.