Time to Make Your Own Natural Toners! Recipes for Every Skin Type

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As a certified organic skincare formulator, I’m always on the lookout for natural ingredients so you can ditch commercial products. Today I wanted to write about natural toners. I think you’ll like the article (and recipes) below.

Toners are often overlooked. They are not really a “must” (so if you don’t use them don’t feel guilty). But they could play a crucial role in maintaining healthy, radiant skin, and if you are the type that spends time on your skincare routine you probably enjoy toning your skin.

Natural toners can offer many benefits: from balancing your skin’s pH to providing an extra dose of hydration and nourishment. Plus, they’re gentle and suitable for all skin types. They can be fun to apply (cotton wool? spray? I love both, depends on my mood).

Natural toners (ditch commercial ones please, they’re not necessary)

Natural toners are packed with plant-based ingredients that work wonders for your skin. Here are some benefits:

1. pH balancing: Natural toners help restore your skin’s natural pH balance, which can be disrupted by cleansing or environmental factors. 🍃
2. Hydration boost: Many natural ingredients, like aloe vera and rose water, provide an extra layer of hydration, leaving your skin feeling plump and refreshed. 💧
3. Pore refinement: Natural astringents, such as witch hazel and apple cider vinegar, can help tighten and refine pores for a smoother complexion. ✨
4. Nutrient-rich: Natural toners often contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that nourish and protect your skin from environmental stressors. 🌱

Below I link to affiliate products at no extra cost to you.

A quick look at the natural ingredients

First let’s look at natural ingredients, the lists below are helpful…

The hydrating ones

Natural toners can provide an extra boost of hydration. These are lovely ingredients for hydrating your skin:

The below natural ingredients make WONDERFUL isolated toners! (If you want to mix and match for DIY toners keep reading)

• Aloe vera juice: Deeply hydrates and calms irritated skin. I recommend this one. You can drink it and/or tone your skin with it!
• Rose water: Soothes, hydrates, and balances all skin types.
• Teas (chamomile, green tea, hibiscus): Offer gentle hydration and reduce inflammation.
• Cucumber water: Refreshes, cools, and hydrates the skin (to make, simply infuse sliced cucumber in filtered water for a few hours).
• Coconut water: Replenishes moisture and provides essential electrolytes (coconut water contains cytokinins, which have been shown to have anti-ageing effects).

The ones that refine pores

If you’re looking to tighten and refine your pores, natural astringents like the below are perfect:

Again, the below natural ingredients make WONDERFUL isolated toners! (If you want to mix and match for DIY toners keep reading)

• Witch hazel: A natural astringent that helps control oil and minimise the appearance of pores.
• Apple cider vinegar (diluted – 1 part apple cider vinegar with 3-4 parts filtered water): Balances pH and gently exfoliates for a brighter complexion.
• Lemon juice (diluted – 1 part lemon juice with 4-5 parts filtered water): Clarifies, brightens, and helps control excess oil.
• Tea tree water: Soothes inflammation and helps combat blemishes.
• Lavender water: Balances oil production and calms irritated skin.
• Rosemary water: Tones, rejuvenates, and improves circulation for a healthy glow.

Let’s create some natural toners!

You can use ANY of the above ingredients as a toner. But creating your own natural toners is also fun plus you feel more involved in your skincare routine process.

Either way, there’s NO NEED to spend money on commercial toners with fillers, additives, fragrances that are damaging to our health and preservatives.

Ready to whip up your own?

For dry Skin:

1. Aloe Rose Hydration Toner

• 1/2 cup aloe vera juice
• 1/2 cup rose water

Mix ingredients in a bottle and shake well. Apply with a cotton pad after cleansing. 🌹💧.

2. Chamomile Cucumber Soothing Toner

• 1/2 cup chamomile tea, cooled
• 1/2 cup cucumber water (to make, simply infuse sliced cucumber in filtered water for a few hours).

Combine ingredients and store in a bottle. Use morning and night for a refreshing boost (to be used within 3-5 days to ensure maximum freshness and safety). 🍵🥒

For oily and acne-prone skin:

1. Clarifying Witch Hazel and Lemon Toner

• 3/4 cup witch hazel
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix ingredients and apply with a cotton pad after cleansing to help control oil and minimise pores. 🍃🍋

2. Tea Tree and Apple Cider Vinegar Balancing Toner

• 1/2 cup green tea, cooled
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup tea tree water

Combine all ingredients in a bottle and shake well. Use twice daily for a clearer, more balanced complexion. 🍵🍎

For sensitive skin:

1. Calming Chamomile and Aloe Toner

• 1/2 cup chamomile tea, cooled
• 1/2 cup aloe vera juice

Mix ingredients and store in a bottle. Apply gently with hands or a cotton pad to soothe and calm sensitive skin. 🍵🌿

2. Lavender Rose Soothing Toner

• 1/2 cup rose water
• 1/2 cup lavender water

Combine ingredients and use morning and night to help balance and calm irritated skin. 🌹💜

For mature skin:

1. Rosemary and Coconut Water Rejuvenating Toner

• 1/2 cup rosemary water
• 1/2 cup coconut water

Mix ingredients in a bottle and apply with a cotton pad after cleansing for a refreshing, rejuvenating effect. 🌾🥥

2. Hibiscus and Aloe Firming Toner

• 1/2 cup hibiscus tea, cooled
• 1/2 cup aloe vera juice

Combine ingredients and store in a bottle. Use twice daily to help firm and revitalise mature skin. 🌺🌿

For all skin types:

1. Green Tea and Rose Water Balancing Toner

• 1/2 cup green tea, cooled
• 1/2 cup rose water

Mix ingredients and apply with a cotton pad after cleansing for a balanced, glowing complexion. 🍵🌹

2. Cucumber Aloe Hydrating Toner

• 1/2 cup cucumber water (to make, simply blend cucumber chunks and strain the liquid, or infuse sliced cucumber in water for a few hours).
• 1/2 cup aloe vera juice

Combine ingredients and store in a bottle. Use morning and night for a refreshing, hydrating boost suitable for all skin types. 🥒🌿

Remember, always patch test new ingredients and adjust the ratios based on your skin’s sensitivity. Store your homemade toners in the refrigerator for an extra cooling and refreshing effect, and use within 1-2 weeks for optimal freshness, unless different dates are stated within the individual recipes. 💧✨

Get the most of your natural toners

To get the most out of your natural toners, keep these tips in mind:

1. Always apply toner after cleansing and before moisturising.
2. Use a cotton pad or your hands to gently pat the toner onto your skin.
3. Store your homemade toners in the refrigerator for an extra cooling and refreshing effect.
4. Be consistent! Use your natural toner twice daily for the best results.

Time to experiment!

Remember, DIY skincare is all about experimenting and finding what works best for you.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match ingredients to create your perfect natural toner!

I hope this guide has inspired you to embrace the power of natural toners.

Trust me, your skin will thank you! 💖✨