HOW DO ASTRINGENTS WORK?

Astringents are water-based skincare products used to remove excess oil from the skin, tighten pores, and remove leftover makeup.

A product very similar to astringents used nowadays is "toner." Astringents are more effective for oily and acne-prone skin and toners for dry skin.

Astringents may include:

• Alcohol
• Citric acid
• Salicylic acid
• Witch hazel

Astringents affect keratin (a skin protein) that contains salt bonds; these bonds are broken by temperature changes, causing the skin to swell. Astringents have a cooling effect on the skin, thus reforming the salt bonds and tightening the skin.

Astringents not only cool the skin but also improve blood circulation and clear the clogged pores (tiny sweat or oil glands with very minute openings upon the skin which become choked with their secretions mixed with dust from the air). The muscle fibers responsible for keeping their outlets closed become relaxed, forming blackheads or enlarged pores.

An astringent is used once a day, preferably in the morning or evening. Follow the below steps:

• Wash your face with a cleanser
• Pat dry it completely
• Pour a small amount of astringent on a cotton
• Apply on the face directly in a dabbing motion
• Apply moisturizer and sunscreen

Astringents are commonly used for the following:

• Shrinking of pores
• Good remedy for blackheads
• Stops secretion of sebum
• Removes dirt and oil from the skin
• Maintains pH balance
• Skin is slightly acidic, and thus, it provides a cooling effect on the skin.
• Reduction of acne and blemishes
• It reduces the oil secretion that triggers acne.
• Ease inflammation
• Reduces inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Tightening of skin
• Hyperhidrosis (abnormally excessive sweating that is not necessarily related to heat or exercise)
• Deep cleansing of the skin
• Removes dirt and irritants from the skin

Avoid using astringents if you have super dry, sensitive skin; sunburn; eczema (a condition wherein patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough); and rosacea (a chronic inflammatory skin condition that usually affects the face).

Common side effects include:

• Skin dryness
• Irritation/itching
• Redness of skin
• Burning

Other rare side effects include:

• Hypersensitivity
• Dermatitis (a skin rash caused by contact with a certain substanc)
• Peeling of skin

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Drug names include:

• Aluminum acetate solution
• Aluminum chloride topical
• Domeboro Astringent Solution Powder Packets
• Drysol
• Formalaz
• Formaldehyde topical
• Formalyde-10
• Gordon's Boro-Packs
• Hypercare solution
• Lazer Formalyde
• Pedi-Boro Soak Paks
• Xerac AC