Tova, I'll try and wrestle my kids for the computer this weekend, and put the toner recipe on here.
Connie (writing on my "lunchbreak" as usual - eating while supervising students.

I am sorry Tova, I cannot instruct you to just whip up a batch of soap, it is something that requires a lot of research and time to formulate recipies and to test the products. If you are interested, a good place to start is Kathy Miller's site, just google it and you will find her.

My best advice regarding skin care is to read labels and learn what the ingredients are. I wouldn't touch George's cream with a ten foot pole, as it contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a detergent, blech.

Tova, here's the recipe I used for the toner, from Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. "Start with either apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar. Add 1 cup of petals or leaves for each pint of vinegar and place on a sunny windowsill in a tightly sealed glass bottle. let the mixture steep for two or three weeks, shaking it vigorously every day. Strain and rebottle. If you like a more diluted lotion, add water."
Naturally, you will want the plants you use to be clean and free of any pesticide. Make sure your containers are sterilized, like you do for canning or making jam. I used the lemon balm because it's supposed to be good for wrinkles, and calenula is good for oily skin, and is a soothing and healing herb.
This is a really simple recipe, so it's one that you can try and have some fun with.
Connie

I just found this site the other day:

http://www.teachsoap.com/

I've made those fun melt and pour soaps with the kids. They just LOVE bath-time when there are cool soaps to use!

We have also done the epsom salts with food colouring and then pour that into a canning jar. Looks great and works great in a hot bath.

Ang

I just found this site and thought I would share it on this thread!

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Gardeners Soap Recipes