Cleansers-Toners

Mascara Removal Technique

Spread one pump lotion cleanser or vegetable oil between middle finger and thumb, gently massage only the lashes to dissolve waterproof mascara, take a facial tissue and place between middle finger and thumb so that you again encase only the lashes, gently wipe lashes free of softened mascara, this saves tugging on the delicate skin of the eyes, now use your facial cleanser to cleanse face of foundation and eye lids of eye shadow.

This technique will make a vast difference in eye skin firmness.



Because our entire All Natural Product line is without synthetic and harmful preservatives, each product is filled with only 100% active material. There is no water added to the products, therefore to disperse the products properly, the product must be applied to toner-damp skin in order to facilitate penetration and absorption.

3 Steps Twice a Day, 4 Steps Twice a Week
Step 1 Twice daily: Cleanser, Toner
Step 2 Twice daily: Eye Serum, Serum
Step 3 Twice daily: Hydrator, Sunscreen, Moisturizer
Step 4 Twice weekly: Exfoliant, Mask


Toning is one of the most important steps in your skin care regimen. In order for skin to repair itself with it's innate healing ability, it must be kept HYDRATED. The #1 skin condition is dehydrated skin but also the easiest to correct. Please read the Toner Myth to understand why hydrating and wiping are so very important. No amount of rinsing alone will thoroughly and completely absorb and remove all traces of product, make up, oil and impurities. It is so important to wipe off any cleansing products every time you clean your skin. You'll notice a big difference the first time you do this.

All cleanser residue, pore debris and impurities must be removed. For best results from any toner, always use on a soft cotton. These toners are naturally medicinal and balancing to seriously correct skin conditions while the hydrosols add a nice aromatic touch - true aromatherapy. After using, you have a truly deep-pore cleansed skin, with minimal debris remaining in the pores and on the skin. Otherwise, this debris would be pushed down deeper into the pores as you apply a serum or moisturizer on top, building up to a congested skin condition. If this pore debris is allowed to remain, then it becomes pore plugs: new oil and old dead skin cells are trapped underneath, becoming compacted and difficult to remove, resulting in blackheads. Worse yet, if the pore plugs become hard and dry from dehydration, then you have impacted plugs and extreme congestion, possible inflammation, and even blemishes.

The "acid mantle" is a slightly acidic film on the skin's surface acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants. These and other chemicals are primarily alkaline in nature and the skin's acidity helps to neutralize their effects. Soaps and alkaline cleansers unbalance the acid mantle and it takes time for your body to re-adjust. You can help by applying a balanced Toner to face and body after cleansing or bathing.

A toner cannot "close" pores as pores do not have muscles controlling their opening. This is a myth and very misleading. However, there are slight involuntary physical reactions brought on by cold, heat, and "goose" bumps (erector pili muscles contracted or relaxed). Genetics, sebum production, elasticity (collagen/elastin), and cleanliness of pores all play a large part in pore size. Pores can only appear smaller, especially if deep cleansed and skin is firm. Once firmness begins to diminish with the lessening of the collagen/elastin matrix, pores can "sag" open and appear larger. Many aging skins develop this appearance.

The second step towards healthy skin is proper toning. Toners are applied after cleansing to make sure all the cleanser is removed. Depending on the ingredients in the formula, they may also rebalance, exfoliate, purify, or hydrate the skin. Moist skin is more receptive to topically applied products. Even after you use a gentle cleanser, your skin will temporarily be without part of its natural barrier. This is the ideal time to apply an astringent toner for oily skin, a balancing toner for combination skin, or an emollient and soothing toner for dry and/or sensitive skin.

"...Without any oil to reflect light, hydrosol toners are indeed on the cutting edge of technology for beauty. When models go on assignment, they are always sure to pack a bottle of floral water to spray the face many times throughout the day to keep their skin looking young and beautiful."

NOTE: There may be a slight cloudy appearance to some toners due to rich skin conditioning botanical extracts, healing aloe vera mucilaginous polysaccharides, organic raw apple cider vinegar, mineral rich himalayan salt seawater as well as pure organic hydrosols.


Because our entire all natural product line is without synthetic and harmful preservatives, each product is filled with only 100% active material. There is no water added to the products, therefore to disperse the products properly, the product must be applied to toner damp skin in order to facilitate penetration and absorption.

Hydrosols are a by-product of essential oil production, but the highest quality comes from devoted distillers who, with artist-like precision, steam small batches of fresh floral and plant material strictly to produce hydrosol. Unlike their "essential oil added to water" counterparts, true steam-distilled hydrosols contain all the beneficial components that whole plant materials have to offer. During the distillation process that yields the Essential Oils, the steam containing the oils is chilled, thus turning into water, with a layer of EO floating on top. The EOs are skimmed off and bottled for our use. In some cases the remaining water is just discarded. However, this water contains both minute molecules of the Essential Oil, as well as all the water soluble elements of the plant that are not present in the Essential Oil.

Most of our hydrosols are distilled in copper stills, (a few in stainless steel stills) and processed through certified organic methods in Washington, California and Europe. Hydrosols contain all of the essence of the plant in every drop, just like essential oils but in a milder form; making them suitable for all manner of applications where essential oils would be too strong. In most hydrosols there is less than 5% actual oil. Please note that their aromas are mostly mild and subtle, sometimes bright and fragrant, and most hydrosols have an herby or grassy note indicative of their authentic and therapeutic properties.


NOTE: A whole house water filter is one of the best skin and hair care steps you can take. Next to that is rinsing with filtered water. Tap water is harmful to skin and hair, especially sensitive skin. My skin calmed considerably after installing a filtering shower head and using the filtering ball while the tub is filling.


from Sattie
I wash my face, tone... didn't really realize how important toning was until I saw all the stuff that came off on your cotton pads that I use. It leaves my skin feeling smooth and soft. Thanks for the tip.


from Joanna
Third: The Firming Toner: You know what is even better than misting it on my face and neck? Spraying it on the backs of my thighs to see if it'll firm the skin, and realizing that it stops mosquito bites from itching! And I do think it makes the skin on my thighs a little bit more smooth and firm. Ahh, chlorella. It rocks. Thanks! I know what I'm ordering next.


Key Ingredients

Decyl Glucoside
Next time you see an advertisement that says "no sulfates, no detergents" ask the manufacturer the INCI name of their surfactants. Do not settle for coconut derived, ask for the INCI name -- for example we use Decyl Polyglucoside in our super gentle face wash - we do not say derived from sugar. It has been deduced from the results obtained that, of the surfactants tested, the one showing the lowest irritant capacity is decyl glucoside.

Botanicals

A superior blend of organic botanical extracts are formulated for specific skin conditions. Selected for their hydrating, anti-oxidant, balancing, regenerating, exfoliating, stimulating, or soothing properties.

EYE - inflammed swollen tissues need Agrimony, Beet, Cucumber, Eyebright, Parsley, Roman Chamomile, Sweet Violet

NRICH - dehydrated skin needs Bee Pollen, Borage, Evening Primrose, Cactus, Kumquat, Passion Fruit, Watermelon

PEP - dull skin needs Cherimoya, Peppermint, Kola Nut, Paraguay Tea, Rosemary

SOOTHE - sensitive skin needs Calendula, Comfrey, Green Tea, Roman Chamomile, Balm Mint, Mallow, Ginseng

XTRACT - clogged pores need Bee Pollen, Benzoin, Ginseng, Horsetail, Lemongrass, Sunflower, Witch Hazel

YOUTH - free radical damage needs Artichoke, Gotu Kola, Iris, Horsetail, Rosemary, Oat, Thyme, Ginkgo Biloba, Green Tea, Pansy


Hydrosols

Hydrosols, true Aromatherapy! Also known as floral waters, hydroflorates, flower waters or distillates, hydrosols are produced from steam-distilling plant materials. Hydrosols have similar properties to essential oils but are much less concentrated, making superb skin conditioners and balancers, adding crucial hydration.

LAVENDER - This is one of the more relaxing and balancing hydrosols from our collection of flower waters. It is ideal for oily and combination skin, and is an excellent coolant for minor burns, rashes, and hot sores. Mentally refreshing and marvelous on the emotions.

NEROLI - Neroli hydrosol is mildly astringent and may be the hydrosol of choice for oily skin. It is superb for acne skin. Neroli hydrosol is a good toner and balancer for combination skin, balancing both the oily and drier areas. In the dry areas it smooths and polishes skin without excessive tightening and in the oily areas, it gently clears any oily debris that might be lurking under the surface.

ROSE - It is a wonderful toner for all skin types, an aphrodisiac with embedded roots dating back thousands of years. Rosewater stimulates the skin, heightening the blood flow. Rosewater controls and balances sebum production, making it useful for both dry and oily skin. It can balance and restore the skin's pH and helps add hydration. Its anti-bacterial properties help fight acne giving troubled skin a gentle, rather than a harsh treatment. It is an excellent anti-wrinkle treatment.

WITCH HAZEL - Witch Hazel hydrosol is the most anti-oxidant of the hydrosols and recommended for psoriasis, eczema, cracked or blistered skin, and aging skin. Soothing and anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. A wonderful toner for acneic skin as well as a free radical scavenger recommended for anti-aging skin treatments.


Bio-Actives

ALOE VERA - (Aloe barbadensis) Origin: Leaf. Aloe Vera has been used for centuries for its extraordinary healing, carrier, soothing, moisturizing properties and more. The efficacy of the aloe vera is enhanced by increasing the polysaccharide content within a range of 50,000 to 200,000 Daltons. Only through this patented manufacturing process can the Aloe retain it's biological activity and not simply the 'chemistry' of Aloe vera.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID - (Thioctic acid) Origin: Probiotic Fermentation/Vegetarian. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is a powerful anti-oxidant that promotes healthy cell function, boosts skin's radiance, and minimizes enlarged pores and surface imperfections.

DMAE - (Dimethylethanolamine) Origin: Probiotic Fermentation. DMAE provides both long-lasting and instant 'anti-aging' benefits to your skin and body, even giving an 'anti-aging face lift' in the right concentrations.

ESSENTIAL OILS - (Sweet Orange, Chamomile, Sea Buckthorn, Lavender) Origin: Plants. For thousands of years, rare essential oils were a pure and natural source of healing power for the body and spirit, and were considered to be more valuable than gold. Today, essential oils remain the oldest form of medicine and cosmetic known to man, and are even more valuable as essential nutrition for your skin. We specialize in high-tech natural therapeutic skin care products also known as "cosmeceuticals" which utilize organic and ethically wild crafted 100% pure essential oils.

HYALURONIC ACID - (Glycosaminoglycans) Origin: Probiotic Fermentation. Also known as mucopolysaccharides; these are a fundamental component of skin tissue, and are essentially a group of complex proteins. A chemical ingredient that helps skin hold on to moisture. It is the body's natural lubricant and part of the natural moisturizing factor (NMF) or ingredients that mimic the structure and function of healthy skin. While the oil and fat components of skin prevent evaporation and provide lubrication to the surface of skin, it is actually the intercellular matrix, along with the skin's lipid content, that gives skin a good deal of its surface texture and feel. The use of GAG's as a moisturizer is based on their action as lubricants for collagen fibers, helping to restrict the conversion of soluble to insoluble collagen. HA is also offered as a high molecular weight hydrophilic material that functions as a 'molecular sponge', allowing for extensive hydration. HA also can function as a transdermal delivery system for other 'actives' since it forms a matrix on the skin, allowing increased skin penetration due to skin saturation and hydration.

PEPTIDES - (Palmitoyl oligopeptide-palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3) Origin: Oats. Mimics the skin's mechanism to produce collagen via TGF (tissue growth factor) as well as to stimulates cell communication and then repairs the age-related skin damage.

POLYPHENOLS - (Olive Squalane Oil Phospholipid) Origin: Fruit. Emollient oil for mositurizing. There are also a small number of studies showing that topically applied olive oil can protect against UVB damage It is a good antioxidant and assuredly it is a good moisturizing ingredient. Also plays a part on the natural moisturizing factor (NMF).

VITAMIN E - (Tocopheryl nicotinate) Origin: Cold Pressed Oils. Considered an antioxidant superstar. Vitamin E is a lipid-soluble vitamin (meaning it likes fat better than water) that has eight different forms, of which some are known for being excellent anti-oxidants when applied topically to skin, particularly alpha.


Thank you for visiting Anna's Skin Care!
Since the beginning of my company, it has been my passion to provide the
best natural products by using only the finest ingredients, regardless of cost.
My promise to you is that I'll continue to use and seek out the best ingredients
from around the world to make exquisite natural skin care, with the intent of
having you as a loyal customer for life.
Patricia... your personal esthetician on call!