Basil Toner

Hello Natural Beauties! Yes I know it has been way too long since our last post. Life has been pretty hectic lately but I�m excited to update you all on all of my recent discoveries. As usual I am always on the look-out for new ways to keep my skin looking clear and healthy using things I already have on hand. During my latest search I discovered a new recipe that comes right out of your kitchen!

Basil has long been used as a spice in Mediterranean, Italian and Thai dishes. However, many are unfamiliar with its wide variety of healing properties. Specifically for the skin, basil is used to treat skin irritations, insect bites, stings, and yes acne! Its ant-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make it an excellent acne fighter and a great addition to your skin care regimen.

Here is what you will need:

1 cup of water of boiling water

3Tbsp. of dried basil leaves

� an aspirin tablet (optional)

Boil the water on the stove or warm it up in the microwave using a microwave safe cup/dish. Add the basil leaves and let them steep for about 10-15mins. After the desired time or when the water has cooled down enough, apply the mixture to your face with a cotton ball. If you like, you can also strain out the basil leaves. Once your mixture is complete, it must be stored in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. If you would like to keep it out you may add � of an aspirin tablet to keep it from going bad (although you should still make a new batch every few weeks). This mixture can be used as a toner or just as an occasional pick-me-up.

I recommend getting dried basil leaves just because they last longer and can be stored in your cabinet. You can also combine this mixture with your favorite mask for extra acne fighting results. As with all new skin recipes, make sure to do a small test spot on your skin before applying it to your entire face. Enjoy!


Update: Check out my basil and lavender toner tutorial below!