Spending a fortune on a bunch of synthetic chemicals to use in your skincare routine has never made sense to me. This is a big reason why I love making my own DIY skincare creams and cleansers.
Mother Nature is the other reason why I like to make my own, she just gets things right in so many ways. A few simple ingredients that are completely natural can have the same effects as their chemical competitors, with a much much lower price tag. So after making my own Acne Fighting Facial Scrub, and Frankincense Face Cream, the next thing I needed to create was a DIY Facial Toner.
DIY Facial Toner
A little bit about the benefits of this toner:
Apple Cider Vinegar:
- ACV contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids to help remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresher and healthier complexion underneath them. Many expensive commercial face washes bang on about the tiny amounts of alpha hydroxy acids they’ve added to their products, but ACV is full of far higher levels, of which are alive and ready to revive your skin. The ‘natural’ ingredients in commercial face products are actually dead and useless by the time they are processed and bottled up.
- During the creation of ACV, substances such as malic acid are formed, which give ACV antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties which help prevent acne and skin infections.
- ACV’s natural goodness also unblocks pores and allows skin to breathe properly, so it is very effective in treating acne and pimples.
- AVC doesn’t just effectively remove excess oil from your skin, it also helps to balance pH levels and can prevent your skin from becoming too oily or too dry by balancing the production of sebum. This is particularly important if you use my facial cleanser that contains baking soda (which is basic in pH), because it helps to balance the pH
- There are several key attributes to ACV for maintaining beautiful skin, and exfoliation is one of them. Exfoliating is a key element for keeping youthful healthy skin. There are several ways to exfoliate, and one of them is by “digesting” dead skin cells, which the acids in ACV do
Witch Hazel:
- A natural astringent that can help with acne control by reducing inflammation and decreasing oil
- Witch hazel is known to tighten skin which can help de-puff or reduce under eye puffiness
- The tannins in witch hazel are known to constrict blood vessels, as well as reduce inflammation and swelling
- Witch hazel also helps tighten pores so you can reduce the size of your pores for a smoother appearance
- One of the little known but effective witch hazel benefits is that it helps ease symptoms of eczema and psoriasis. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties and will help ease the pain, itching, redness and scarring that’s commonly associated with eczema and psoriasis
Aloe Vera:
- Aloe moisturizes the skin without giving it a greasy feel, so it`s perfect for anyone with an oily skin complexion. For women who use mineral-based make-up, aloe vera acts as a moisturizer and is great for the face prior to the application to prevents skin drying
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Aloe vera gel contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation. Giberellin in aloe vera acts as a growth hormone stimulating the growth of new cells. It also contains Glucomannan, which increases collagen synthesis
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Aloe is soothing and can reduce skin inflammations, blistering and itchiness, while helping the skin to heal more rapidly.
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Aloe has traditionally been used to heal chronic skin problems, such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.
Note: make sure you do a test of the toner to a small patch of skin first. Some people are more sensitive to apple cider vinegar and its acidity. If you have sensitive skin, test it first. If you react to it, then add more witch hazel to the mix. Play around with the proportions until you find the right amount for your skin type.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar — where to find
- 1/4 cup organic witch hazel — where to find
- 2 tsp aloe vera — where to find
Directions:
- Mix the vinegar, witch hazel, and aloe in a dropper bottle
- Apply to your face as needed
- I use it every night after I wash my face with my Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser. Then I apply my Frankincense Face Cream and my Caffeine Eye Serum
I started a Safe Skin Care Facebook group where we discuss removing the toxins from our skincare and making safer choices. I invite you to join thousands of others in the conversations HERE.
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Resources:
- https://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/wash-face-apple-cider-vinegar
- https://www.drfranklipman.com/apple-cider-vinegar-and-skin-care
- https://skincare.allwomenstalk.com/reasons-to-add-witch-hazel-in-your-skin-care-routine
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/122382-benefits-witch-hazel-skin-care
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7654/the-benefits-of-using-aloe-vera-for-skin-care-and-more.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764
25 Replies to “DIY Facial Toner”
Hi Kate, the recipe, is t 1/2 cup? Also, I'm guessing in the instructions, you put the vinegar, witch hazel AND the aloe into the dropper bottle?!
Yes, I will go back and fix that. 🙂
I don’t see any amount changed to 1/2 cup in your recipe. Are the amounts of 1/4 cup ACV, 1/4 cup witch hazel and 2 tsp. aloe vera correct? Thanks for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Yes, those amounts are correct. Hope you enjoy it!
could a spray bottle be used instead of a dropper bottle? Thanks
Sure, just cover your eyes if you are going to spray it on your face 🙂
I have an aloe plant. Can I just get the aloe straight from the leaf?
Sure, I bet that would work
What’s the shelf life?
It lasts for weeks to months. I have never had a batch turn bad, and I use it every day!
Hi Kate, have you tried this with alcohol free witch hazel? Wondering if that would be good for sensitive and acne prone skin. Thanks!
I have not tried that yet. You could simply use the apple cider vinegar diluted with water
Is the aloe vera 2 tsp or 1/2 cup. Thank you
it’s 2 tsp 🙂
How should the toner be applied to the skin? Do you recommend using a disposable cotton cosmetic pad?
You can certainly use a cosmetic pad, I just use my hands
You apply with hands, leave on?
Yep, exactly!
Kate, do ever add essential oil…to cut down on vinegar smell? I did have to blend in Vitamix because I used aloe from plant and couldn’t mix well…it makes my face feel soft and tightened up!
I have added in essential oils before, mostly tea tree because its amazing for the skin. Very cool that you blended real aloe!