The ‘New’ News on Using Homemade Toner:
If you occasionally swab some toner on your face without really knowing the benefits to your skin or even how the heck you should be using it – this is the post for you!
Toner used to be chemical-filled and often contained alcohol. If you were struggling with oily skin and acne – toner was the supposed go-to to help get that excess oil and pore size under control!
Today toner serves a very different purpose. It can be used by all skin types to help rebalance skin, deliver more skin rich nutrients and prep your skin well for moisturiser.
So what’s so great about toner? A lot of the new toners coming out are inspired by the K-beauty trend. Toner serves as a very important step in flawless Korean skincare. Korean toners are vastly different from western toners because many are formulated to rebalance, help protect and renew that oh so precious ‘acid mantle’ (that I often rave on about!).
Western skincare brands are now catching on by formulating similarly inspired beautiful natural-based toners that contain witch hazel, cucumber and chamomile among many other ingredients. But it is really so simple to make your own!
You can formulate and customise your own toner to suit your skin and pop it in the fridge between use! But first, let’s take a look at the many benefits of including toner in your daily beauty regimen.
How Does Using Toner Help Your Skin Stay Nice and Healthy?
1. Removes any bacteria/reside that your cleanser may have missed on the surface of your skin:
Even if you double cleanse (which is what Korean beauty experts recommend) some bacteria, makeup and residue can sometimes still be left on the skin. Using toner ensures that your skin is 100% clean and beautiful. Perfect for sleeping or continuing on with the rest of your beauty routine.
Clean skin also equals fewer breakouts, imperfections or blocked pores. Using a toner is also said to help minimise pore size. Don’t, however, pick one with alcohol in it which is said to be harmful to your skin’s natural pH and far too drying!
2. Helps to slough off dead skin cells:
Surprisingly oily skin isn’t the only cause of acne! Dry flaky skin can also cause blocked pores. Regularly removing dead skin cells through using a toner or exfoliating a couple of times per week also creates that new, smooth, fresh, and younger-looking facial skin. Plus toner is completely safe to use twice a day – morning and night as part of your overall skincare regimen.
3. Rebalances skin and brings it back to a healthy pH level after cleansing:
Cleansing can take a toll on your skin! Especially if you use hot water as it can be quite drying. Tap water can also contain hidden nasties that may impair your acid mantle over time. Over-cleansing your skin can also cause it to become a little too alkaline which puts it at more risk of damage/inflammation.
Toning your skin helps to rebalance your pH levels taking it back to its naturally slightly acidic state. The ideal pH of our skin should be around 5.5 which ensures a strong defence against bacteria, environmental stressors and pollution.
4. Primes skin well for moisturiser and makeup:
Toned, nourished, and balanced skin provides the perfect base to absorb your moisturiser all the better! But you will need to pop your moisturiser on quite quickly after your toner to get the maximum benefits.
Moisturiser is best used on damp, slightly moist skin – not dry skin as it is far more easily absorbed. That is why adding toner in-between cleaning and moisturising your skin can do wonders for getting that glow on and rehydrating dry, ageing skin!
Homemade Toner: 7 Easy Recipes For Sensitive or Ageing Skin!
1. Homemade Rosewater
Do you remember making rosewater when you were a kid? It was one of my favourite things to do – I didn’t know that it makes for an amazing toner for dry, sensitive skin, however! And not only that you can also use it as a natural, fragrance-free perfume!
DIY instructions:
Add one cup of rose petals (make sure they have not been sprayed with anything nasty!) to one litre of filtered water. Pop your rose petals into the bottom of a pot and put a small ceramic plate on top. Pour the water over the top of the plate with rose petals underneath. Heat the water until steaming and watch the water take on the colour of the rose petals.
Be sure to not let the water boil. It will take approximately 30-60 minutes for the rose oil to leach out of the petals and into the water. You can then wait for it to cool and then pop it into a glass jar. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month or more.
2. Aloe Vera
Natural aloe vera gel is found in the leaf of the aloe vera plant. Keep one in your bathroom and kitchen because the gel from the plant is not only useful in skincare but also as a nutritional boost popped into juices and smoothies! Aloe gel contains two skin nutritious hormones (auxin and gibberellins) that help to fight inflammation and promote skin healing.
DIY instructions:
You can use the gel directly on your skin to help fight skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes and sunburn/UV damage. If you have ultra-sensitive skin you can scoop out some of the gel from the leaf (approx 2 tbsp) and add it to 1 cup of filtered water. Keep it in your fridge. You can also drink this to help body-wide inflammation and repair skin from within!
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar makes for an amazing toner and much like aloe vera gel you can also take it internally. It is perfect for oily/acne-prone skin and also ageing skin! Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids which help to naturally regenerate skin and remove any dead skin cells and dry, flaking skin. Apple cider vinegar is also very effective at rebalancing pH levels because it is acidic and often skin issues set in when skin is too alkaline.
It also contains sulfur which helps to keep pores clear by removing oil and bacteria deep within the skin. It also contains antioxidants that help to increase blood circulation and create smooth glowing skin!
DIY instructions:
Apple cider vinegar is quite strong so make sure you add 1 tbsp to every one cup of water. Make sure you purchase organic apple cider vinegar ‘with the mother’ for extra protein, enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Much like the aloe vera, you can also take it internally! Pop a teaspoon or two in a cup of water daily and drink up for many benefits!
4. Cucumber Water
Cucumber is wonderfully soothing and calming for your skin! It is also very water-rich and nourishing which makes it perfect for dry or irritated skin or to help ‘calm down’ any redness. Cucumber is also said to help reduce puffiness and naturally tighten and tone sagging skin.
DIY instructions:
To make a toner using cucumber simply peel and chop up one medium size cucumber (ideally organic or wash with some water and diluted apple cider vinegar) into small cubes. Blend the cucumber in a food processor and then drain the juice liquid into a bowl through a sieve. Store in a bottle in the refrigerator and use it up within one week.
5. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is found as an ingredient in many store-bought toners. It is not recommended for use on dry skin but is particularly good for normal to oily skin and skin that is acne-prone. Witch hazel has natural astringent properties which makes it excellent at dealing with any inflammatory skin conditions like acne. It also helps to remove bacteria and speed up skin healing.
DIY instructions:
Witch hazel can be easily purchased (many contain alcohol and other nasty ingredients so be sure to double-check the ingredient list) and then used directly or diluted within any other toner concoction – get creative!
6. Peppermint, Camomile or Green Tea
You may be surprised to hear that plain old herbal tea can make an excellent toner! Green tea, peppermint and chamomile are popular but you could possibly use any other herbal tea bag (just look up the properties of the herb).
Great tea is perfect for oily skin and combating acne, inflammation and any redness. The antioxidants in green tea also make it very effective in repairing sun damage and wrinkles. Making a toner from chamomile tea is best used on dry, damaged or sensitive skin as it is very gentle and soothing. Peppermint tea is perfect for ‘waking skin up’ first thing in the morning!
DIY instructions:
Simply brew one cup of tea as you usually would, remove the teabag, cool and then store in a bottle in the fridge. Use it up within one week. You can also use fresh herbs if you have them available (like mint!) but always do your research and check if they are safe to use on your skin first.
7. Lemon Juice
I am sure everyone has heard of using lemon juice on your skin! It is supposed to be really effective at naturally lightening your skin and removing any hyperpigmentation damage. It is also quite effective for oily skin but avoid using it on any blemished or damaged skin as it might be too strong. Lemon juice is definitely just for nighttime toner use as it is not recommended to go out into the sun with lemon juice on your skin!
DIY instructions:
Dilute 1 tbsp of lemon juice into 1 cup of filtered water. Store in a bottle in the fridge.
There are really ‘no rules’ when it comes to making toners! Try combining 2-3 of the above ingredients that work for your skin type and you can even add the odd drop here and there of essential oil (make sure the bottle says ‘pure essential oil’ and not ‘fragrance’). Tea tree is great for fighting skin inflammation while oils like lavender, flaxseed and jojoba are perfect for nourishing and healing skin.
Always patch test any homemade toners before you put them on your face! The inside of your wrist is a good place to try them out ♡
(Photo: Sarah Gray via. Unsplash)
*Last page update: 19/04/22*