The old-timey labels on Thayers products aren’t just for show. Back in 1847, Henry Thayer, MD opened his herbal extracts laboratory in Massachusetts. By the time the Civil War broke out in 1861, his company appears to have been the largest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals in the United States.
Fast forward 150+ years, and Thayers has evolved into a specialty beauty and wellness company, offering a limited line of toners, lozenges, and even a honey-and-zinc sore throat syrup.
Plenty of Variety
Their astringents and toners have something to offer nearly every skin type and climate. The gentle Alcohol-Free Toners come in Original, Unscented, cooling Cucumber, Rose Petal (above, right), and Lavender. The stronger Witch Hazel Astringents come in Original (above, left), Lemon, and Peach.
Inside the Ingredients
Here’s the ingredients of the products pictured above, so you can get an idea of their glorious simplicity.
Ingredients for Thayers Original Witch Hazel Astringent: water, SD alcohol 40-B (natural grain) 10%, organic aloe leaf juice, witch hazel extract, vegetable glycerin, grapefruit seed extract, citric acid.
Ingredients for Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner: water, organic aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, natural rose fragrance, witch hazel extract, rose flower water, citric acid, grapefruit seed extract.
| Extremely Safe | Reasonably Safe | Proceed with Caution | Insufficient Data |
Both products use grapefruit seed extract, which is a non-starter for some purists. Usually used in skincare as a preservative or anti-acne ingredient, the process of making grapefruit seed extract is slightly more complex—and less natural—than simply squeezing a grapefruit. The extraction process raises some minor contamination concerns.
Personally, I won’t give up on a good, affordable product like this because of grapefruit seed extract. I currently own one astringent and one alcohol-free toner, which I alternate between based on the needs of my skin. Generally, I use the Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner, as it is an extremely gentle product to tone and soothe skin. But when I’m spending the day outside in North Carolina’s sticky heat, few things refresh like the Original Witch Hazel Astringent.
Where to Purchase
Each bottle is 12oz and costs $9.94 or less.
More Awesome Natural Toners & Facial Mists
If you’re looking for something with clean ingredients but that’s a little less simple, check out these products:
- One Love Organics | Vitamin D Moisture Mist, $39. Provides long-lasting hydration. Find it here.
- Josh Rosebrook | Hydrating Accelerator, $32. An effective blend of vitamin-infused aloe and lightweight oils. Find it here.
- True Botanicals | Nutrient Mist, RENEW, $48. A luxurious anti-aging mist. Find it here.
- Mychelle | Fruit Enzyme Hydrating Mist, $18. One of my favorite go-to’s for dewy, hydrated skin. Find it here.
- Dr. Hauschka | Clarifying Toner, $28. The classic toner for oily or congested skin. Find it here.
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
**Products get makeovers too. Be sure to check if this product has been recently re-formulated before using it yourself.
