7 Recipes of Homemade Face Toners

Face toners are a very important part of a skin care routine.  In fact, you can actually skip other steps like applying serum or cream, but you should always apply a skin toner.

 

What are skin toners?

Toners usually look like a transparent liquid, however some toners do have a light tint that depends on the additives in the toner.

Toners are necessary because they:

• complete cleansing process by removing debris and impurities from your skin that usual cleansing skipped
• prepare skin for application other skin care products
• infuse skin with ingredients necessary for skin health
• replenish outer lipid barrier that was removed during cleansing process
• restore skin pH balance

As you can see toner has many important functions and should be always a part of any skin care routine.

There are many toners on the market.  However, they are quite simple to make at home. 

I look at DIY care products as a part of self-care.  You are making something very custom, very special for yourself.  You can add, remove or substitute ingredients any way you want to satisfy your skin’s needs.  I always think there is something magical in making your own beauty products.

Things to consider when working on your homemade face toner:

• Always use fresh and organic products; I cannot say it enough, you don’t want any chemicals in your products.
• Do not make a huge amount, because natural products that don’t have preservatives will not last a long time.  I would say make enough product to last you 3 days at room temperature (and a week in your refrigerator).
• It would be the best to keep your toner in a glass container and not the plastic one
• Keep your toner  in dark cool place away from sunlight
• Know your skin type and consider adding or substituting some ingredients to accommodate your skin specifics
• Determine what skin issues you would like to target and add ingredients to achieve the best results

 

What is the best natural toner for face?

Many people often include “the best” parameters in their search when looking for some answers.

The truth is that, honestly, it is impossible to say: This products is the best for you!  And this is simply because what is good for my skin, might cause a horrible inflammation and break out for yours.

So, when I hear a question like “what is the best product”, I always answer: the one that is good for your skin type, does not cause you any trouble and works on skin problems that you would like to eliminate or minimize.

That is another reason why DIY skin care products are the best, because you can find your perfect formula ingredients that will make your product “the best” for you.

I always indicate in my posts actions of each product so it should be easy to pick which toner you would like to make.  If you are still struggling, please, leave me a comment and I will be happy to help.

 

What is a natural toner for your face?

The toner that contains 100% organic ingredients is considered to be a natural toner.  It can be store bought products or homemade one (considering you are using organic ingredients).

 

How do you make homemade face toner?

It is quite simple. 

• Decide what kind of problem you want to target (dehydration, anti-aging, dark spots etc).
• Obtain necessary ingredients according to the recipe.
• Have some tools to assist you like measuring spoons, glass mixing container and glass storage container for your product (preferably spray bottle).
• Read and follow recipe instructions.
• It is not really recommended to use metal spoons and containers as they oxidize your product.

 

Is apple cider vinegar good for face toner?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a quite amazing and unique product.  It has anti-bacterial properties which makes it excellent to fight acne causing bacteria.

It also has anti-fungal and antiviral properties.

So, yes, ACV could be used as a face toner.

However, you cannot just take a bottle and start rubbing on your face.  After all, ACV is an acid.  You need to dilute it to minimize acidity and make it suitable for your face.  Otherwise, you will end up with irritation, redness and even minor burn, if you use undiluted ACV.

I included recipes for ACV toner below.

 

Can I leave apple cider vinegar on my face overnight?

If we are talking about diluted apple cider vinegar that you use as a toner, then yes.  You can leave it on  your face overnight.

1.   Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

It is probably one of the most popular recipes on the internet.  There are many variations of this product, I would like to offer you one of them.

Action: clears pores, controls skin oil, fights acne and blackheads, polishes and brightens the skin

Ingredients:

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Filtered water

Essential Oils of your choice (3-4 drops) – optional

Method:

1.   Dilute Vinegar and Water according to the following:

Normal/Dry/Oily Skin: Mix 1 part of vinegar and 2 parts of water

Sensitive Skin: Mix 1 part of vinegar and 4 parts of water

Note: “part” means units of measurement you are using.  For example, if  you take 1 tablespoon of vinegar (1 part) then for sensitive skin you would take 4 tablespoons of water.

2.   Add essential oil if you want to

3.  You can store this toner for a week (acid makes shelf life longer)

4.  Apply to your face twice a day.

 

2.   Rice Water Toner

Action: hydrating, moisturizing, brightening.  This tone will give your skin a real glow.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of raw rice

Filtered water

Method:

1. Rinse rice under running water until it starts running clear and not cloudy.
2. Place rice in a glass bowl and cover with water.  Water should cover rice just a little bit.
3. Let rice and water sit for 30-45 min on a counter.  This is the time when rice infuses water with all amazing vitamins and minerals.
4. Strain water in another bowl and then place in your spray bottle.
5. Shake your toner before each use.

 

3.   Green Tea Face Toner

I have a whole post about amazing benefits of green tea in skin care.  Here is another recipe.

Action: anti-aging, fights acne, lightens age spots and other hyper pigmentation, shrinks pores and controls oil production

Ingredients:

2 ounces of strongly brewed green tea (it would be best if you use loose leaf tea)

8 drops of tea tree oil (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory)

Method:

1. Add tea tree oil drops to brewed tea.
2. Place in a glass spray bottle or a simple bottle.
3. Shake well before use.

 

4.   Homemade Facial Toner with Witch Hazel and Essential Oils

Action:  Witch Hazel is a natural astringent meaning it can truly fight acne. It also reduces redness and irritation and helps to prevent excessive skin oil production.

Witch Hazel is awesome on its own, however, if you add essential oils, they will enhance the effect of your toner.

Rose essential oil

Mandarine essential oil

Ingredients:

30 ml of witch hazel

5 drops of rose essential oil

5 drops of mandarine essential oil

Method

1. Mix all ingredients and place them in a glass bottle.
2. Use twice a day after cleansing your face.

 

5.   Anti-aging Homemade Toner that also fights Acne with Apple Cider Vinegar and Aspirin

This toner contains apple cider vinegar and we already know that it is anti-bacterial (fights acne) and anti-inflammatory.  It also balances your skin’s pH level.  To make a vinegar, apples go through a process called fermentation.  Fermented product delivers vitamins and minerals to the deeper layers of the skin.

Aspirin contains salicylic acid which is otherwise known as beta-hydroxy acid.  Beta-hydroxy acid removes excess skin oil, clears pores and eliminates blackheads.  It also removes dead skin cells that stay on skin surface and cause dull tone. 

So, together apple cider vinegar and aspirin make a very powerful product that can fight signs of aging, acne and result in glowing skin.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of distilled water (or just bottled water is fine)

1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar

8 non-coated aspirin tablets (325 mg each)

Method

1. Dissolve aspirin in water and stir well.
2. Add apple cider vinegar to aspirin-water mixture and mix all ingredients well together.
3. Transfer mixture to a glass container.  Shake well before using.  You can use toner twice a day after cleansing.

 

6.   Cinnamon and Anise DIY Toner for Wrinkles

This is a very powerful toner for aging skin.

Cinnamon increases blood circulation and promotes production of collagen (collagen is the protein that promotes your skin’s elasticity). 

Anise contains tannins  which strengthens muscles tenacity preventing sagging.  It also detoxifies your skin removing impurities and tired skin.

Ingredients:

5 stars of anise 

2 cinnamon sticks

1 litre of water

Method:

1. Bring water to boil.
2. Put anise and cinnamon sticks, reduce heat and let boil slowly for 20 minutes.
3. Let cool for 3-5 hours while spices still infusing.
4. Pour your toner in a glass jar.  Use in you AM and PM skin care routine.

 

7.   Moisturizing Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel Toner DIY

This toner will give your skin a natural glow and will provide an excellent hydration.

Aloe is an anti-inflammatory and will help reduce redness and irritation while moisturizing your skin.

Witch Hazel, like I mentioned before, will help to fight acne and also reduces inflammation.

You can also add some essential oils of your choice to enhance the effect.

In addition, this toner is the easiest one to make, I promise.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons of witch hazel extract

2-3 tablespoons of aloe vera gel

5 drops of your favourite essential oil

Method:

1. Pour all ingredients into a small glass bottle (it is a good idea to use a funnel to help you with that).
2. That is it!  Honestly.  Use it twice a day and enjoy the transformation.

 

Can you use rosewater as a toner?

Natural rosewater is a mild astrigen which does not contain alcohol.  Rose water can be used as a toner and it will leave you with rejuvenated and fresh skin.  I also have a recipe of homemade rose water in this post.

I hope you were able to find recipes of natural toners that you can make at home to match your skin type and you skin’s needs.

Many people consider facial toner to be just an extra skin care product that is nice, but not necessary to use and include in skin care routine.  However, it is a crucial component of daily skin care routine and one of those products that should not be skipped. 

Stay beautiful!!!