Learn how to make your own homemade face toner with natural ingredients to help even out skin tone, restore pH levels, and give your skin a healthy glow.
Making your own facial toner will save you money and allow you to customize it just the way you need to for your specific skin type.
DIY facial toner can be made with simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and essential oils. It will leave your skin smooth, glowing and can even help with acne.
I love making my own skin care products, especially for my face. The face has very sensitive skin making it important to use natural face moisturizers and natural face cleansers.
Making your own skincare will help to cut down on toxins entering the skin, and it is much easier to make than you think. I love that with just a few ingredients, I can make everything I need to clean, moisturize, and tone my skin.
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WHAT IS FACIAL TONER?
Facial toner is used to cleanse the skin and shrink pores. It has the consistency of water which is why we are going to use a spray bottle for easy application. Facial toner is usually applied to the skin after cleansing and before moisturizing.
It will help to even out skin tone, remove dead skin cells, and promote clear, healthy skin. Depending on the type of facial toner you are using, it can also be very moisturizing to the skin and add hydration when using it.
Facial toner can be applied like a spray or a serum depending on preference. If your toner comes in a spray bottle, it can simply be sprayed on the face and rubbed in with the hands. If you’re not using a spray bottle, add some toner to a clean cotton round and massage it into the skin.
HOW TO MAKE FACIAL TONER WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS
Making your facial toner is easy and cost-effective. I am going to share a few different recipes to try depending on your skin type. All of the recipes will include apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and essential oils.
You can make all of the recipes in a 4-ounce glass spray bottle for easy storage and application.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
HOMEMADE TONER FOR NORMAL SKIN
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup witch hazel
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
- Secure lid and shake well.
- Shake before each use.
- Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.
DIY FACIAL TONER FOR DRY SKIN
INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup witch hazel
5 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
3 drops myrrh essential oil
3 drops geranium essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
- Secure lid and shake well.
- Shake before each use.
- Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.
DIY FACIAL TONER FOR OILY SKIN
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup witch hazel
1/4 cup rose water
3 drops lemon essential oil
3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
- Secure lid and shake well.
- Shake before each use.
- Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.
HOMEMADE FACIAL TONER FOR AGING SKIN
INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup rose water
1/4 cup witch hazel
6 drops frankincense essential oil
3 drops vitamin E oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
- Secure lid and shake well.
- Shake before each use.
- Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.
BEST ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE FOR FACIAL TONER
The best essential oils for your face are gentle oils. It is important to always dilute essential oils properly before applying them to the skin, especially to the face. Essential oils can be very beneficial for the face by helping to cleanse the skin, reduce signs of anti-aging, and improve skin tone.
You can use the suggested essential oils in the recipes above, a single oil, or a combination of any of the following oils:
- Lavender
- Frankincense
- Tea tree
- Geranium
- Rose
- Myrrh
- Roman Chamomile
- Lemon
- Sandalwood
- Cedarwood
Remember to use citrus essential oils with caution if you are going to be outside. Most citrus oils are photosensitive and shouldn’t be worn in direct sunlight up to 12 hours after application.
HOW TO USE FACIAL TONER
Spray the homemade facial toner on your face and gently massage into the skin with a clean cloth or hand. OR you can soak a cotton round into the toner and apply it to the face evenly by gently massaging it into the skin.
You can apply the facial toner to the entire face, neck, and chest. Be sure to avoid getting the toner into the eyes, nose, or inside the ears.
WHAT IS A NATURAL TONER FOR YOUR FACE?
Apple cider vinegar and witch hazel are great natural toners to use on your face. Both of these ingredients can help to shrink pores, cleanse the skin, and balance pH levels.
Other natural ingredients you can use as a facial toner are:
- Lemon juice
- Rosehip oil
- Rosewater
- Vitamin C
- Green tea
- Turmeric
- Aloe vera
- Cucumbers
IS APPLYING TONER GOOD FOR YOUR FACE?
Toner is especially good for people with acne-prone skin or oily skin. It will help to shrink pores and protect the skin. After cleansing our skin, it is good to apply a facial toner to balance the pH level. Our pH level can get out of whack after washing the skin and using a toner can help to fix that.
Facial toner can also add moisture to dry skin, remove dead skin cells, and tighten the skin.
If you have acne scars, check out these essential oils for scars.
DOES TONER FIX DISCOLORATION?
When used daily, facial toner can be very beneficial in evening out skin tone, reducing sun spots, and fading dark spots.
CAN I USE FACIAL TONER DAILY?
Yes! In fact, it is best to apply this face toner before using any makeup. If you notice the toner is drying out your skin, try adding less apple cider vinegar and witch hazel.
IS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR GOOD FOR THE FACE?
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural facial toner. It can also help reduce blemishes and acne. Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties making it ideal for the skin.
It also has astringent properties making it great for shrinking pores and tightening the skin.
More of My Favorite Makeup Recipes
- Homemade Eyeliner
- Makeup Remover
- DIY Foundation
- Setting Powder (or setting spray)
- Smudge Free Mascara
- Top 10 Natural Makeups
DIY Facial Toner with Natural Ingredients
DIY facial toner can be made with simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and essential oils. It will leave your skin smooth, glowing and can even help with acne.
Materials
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 3 drops tea tree essential oil
- 4-ounce glass spray bottle
Instructions
- Add apple cider vinegar and witch hazel to a glass spray bottle. Lightly stir together.
- Add in essential oils.
- Secure lid and shake well.
- Shake before each use.
- Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.
Jeanette says
Hi, what would you use for sensitive skin?
Laura says
Yes! It is great for sensitive skin.
Sam Watson says
Hi Laura , can you tell the shelf life of the toner please.
Sam xx
Patsy says
What can you use in place of Sandalwood oil if you can’t afford it?
Laura says
You can leave it out and add a little more of a different oil in the recipe.
Praj says
Hi
I am planning on putting Vitamin C in my toner. Any suggestions on a good organic brand?
Thanks
Dan says
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your recipes and knowledge. You totally got me hooked on DYI and by far your product and posts are the best. Really you made my life happier and better as I don’t have to deal with fragrances and other chemicals.
Laura says
Thank you so much, I am so glad!
Aggie says
About love all your recipes. Thank you for making them simple!!
But I have a question: What ingredients would you recommend to use with Aloe Vera Juice as a toner for a dry skin? Thank you
Laura says
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes! I would try adding in some lavender oil and vitamin E oil.
Aggie says
Sounds good, thank you. Does it need extra water as toners are quite watery?
Vivian Jackson says
I love all your recipe that you have put out here … But I want to ask I’m a chocolate skin person can also make my beauty products using your recipe?
K. Lauren says
Yes. I am African American and use these recipes religiously; they work wonders on my skin! Additionally, I have been a fan…and a student (lol) of this website for some time. Thank you, Laura! 😊
Christine says
Shelf life please …….thank you
Laura says
It will last for several months as the ingredients are shelf stable.
Chrissie says
Is this right that these recipes for toners will last without a preservative more than a few days or two weeks in a fridge. I so want to make toners as I make all my other products for skin care and well being. Thank you for assuring me that these recipes are safe from bacteria and mould developing in just a few days.
Jayne says
Hi, I love your recipes! I’ve been using them for quite a while now. I have a question though. Will using witch hazel that has 14% alcohol in it be bad for my skin?
Laura says
Alcohol can be drying for the hair. I have an alcohol-free witch hazel linked in the post.
Linda Coleman says
I made this facial toner using the anti-aging recipe and I’m absolutely in love with it! I look forward to washing my face every morning and night just so I can use the toner! The rose water smells wonderful and makes me so happty! Every time I spray it on, I look at myself afterwards and I have a great big smile on my face! Thank you so vert much for posting this recipe!