Astringent lotion is used to tone the skin and is necessary to remove the last traces of grease and close pores. Never choose a harsh astringent lotion. Astringent is applied to the oiliest places such as the sides of the nose, chin and forehead. When blemishes occur, it is good for yourself to cover them. This helps to close the pores and discourage the greasy excretion from building up too rapidly underneath your make up. Astringents are for external use only.

After cleansing, an astringent or toner will remove the last traces of dirt, oil and makeup to clean deep down to the pores. They can also be used to refresh your skin morning and night.

Strong astringent lotions contain alcohol. Surgical spirit, too, is a good astringent but it smells too much. Use of strong astringents is not recommended as they over-dry the skin, leaving it tight and dehydrated. Always use a milder tonic or astringent.

Below are a few home-made astringent preparations for you.

Honey Water

Mix the following ingredients together in a glass jar with an air-tight lid for a week, shaking it twice daily.
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons coriander seed
2 tablespoons nutmeg
1 tablespoon cloves
4 tablespoons grated lemon peel
8 tablespoons alcohol
4tablespoons orange flower water
½ teaspoon benzoin, and
½ teaspoon storax.

Another, honey water astringent can be made by mixing the following together and keeping it in an air-tight jar for two weeks, shaking it daily.

8 tablespoons sandalwood oil
a pinch of musk or sandalwood chips
1 teaspoon bergamot oil
¼ teaspoon lavender oil
⅛ teaspoon clove oil
4 tablespoon rose water
4 tablespoons orange flower water, and
1 tablespoon honey

Rosemary Water

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons rosemary
peel and pith of a ¼ orange
peel and pith of a ½ lemon
4 sprigs of mint
¼ cup alcohol or witch-hazel (for mild astringent)
½ cup rose water

Mix all the ingredients together in a large air-tight bottle and let it stand for 48 to 72 hours, shaking frequently.

Lemon Astringent

Mix the following ingredients together in a large bottle for 24 hours, then strain and use for greasy skin.

4 tablespoons lemon juice or juice of 2 large lemons
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
8 tablespoons witch-hazel, and
2 tablespoons alcohol

Camphor Astringent

Mix together in a large bottle ½ cup rose water, ½ cup witch-hazel, ½ cup distilled water, 1 tablespoon camphor spirit and 2 drops blue coloring. To make the astringent stronger, add a pinch of alum. Strain and use to tighten and tone the skin. This recipe is especially good if you suffer from large pores and spots. It can also be used as an after-shave lotion by men.

Why shouldn't people with dry skin use astringents?

An astringent dries out skin.

Thus, it will irritate already-dry skin, causing it to:
Burn,
Itch, and
Become Red
(Symptoms may take up to a few days after beginning to use the product before they become noticeable.)
Astringents are among the leading causes of irritant contact dermatitis (a reaction resembling allergic contact dermatitis, but occurring to local skin only).