After minimizing my skin care routine, and no longer spending $100 every month or so on skin care, I stopped using toners and serums. Well now I’m at least back to using a toner because I can easily make it myself for almost nothing. The truth is that toners do clean the skin of any residue left behind from facial cleansers and clays, as well as refresh and prep the skin for your favorite moisturizer. A good toner will also help exfoliate the skin and tighten pores. Here is a simple toner recipe that is packed with antioxidants as well as natural alpha hydroxy acids that you can find right in your kitchen.
What you will need:
Purified Water
Organic Green Tea Bags
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Blue Chamomile Essential Oil (optional)
Simply steep two organic green tea bags in one cup of boiled water for 30 minutes or longer. Now add one teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar. Finally add four drops of blue chamomile essential oil and place in a clean container. Use organic cotton balls with new toner after you cleanse your skin to prep for your moisturizer. Because this is a toner without preservatives I suggest refrigerating it. It should last for at least two weeks if not a bit longer.
So why these ingredients?
Green tea is your natural antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals and also contains caffeine which energizes the skin and tightens the pores.
Apple cider vinegar is the perfect alpha hydroxy acid. It is best to always use diluted as it is very acidic. Apple cider vinegar is known to detox the skin, clear acne and blemishes, and even out and brighten skin. I’ve seen many online skin care boards swear by apple cider vinegar to clear up acne completely. Many also suggest using a higher percentage of apple cider vinegar than what I’ve included in this recipe. I’m using a low dosage for its benefits while also being gentle on the skin.
Blue chamomile essential oil has a high azulene content with anti-inflammatory skin healing properties that are very soothing to the skin. You can also use Morrocan or Roman chamomile essential oil as it will still have calming and soothing properties.
Enjoy!
(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)
Mira says
Hi Dawn Michelle!
I already use apple cider vinegar, but I hadn’t thought of the green tea. Thanks for that suggestion.
Another little thing I’ve started making and using is a tisane of rose buds. First you make the tisane hot and then put it in the fridge. With a cotton ball or wipe you wipe it one your face like a toner. It’s great for calming sensitive skin and it gives a nice glow. It smells good too!
-Mira
mangomadness says
Nice post! I use a green tea/tea tree oil toner. I find that it’s gentle and keeps my face blemish free.
Dawn Michelle says
That sounds like a perfect combination as well. I used to use witch hazel and lavender essential oil religiously. I might as well try this toner with lavender too.
leise says
Any thoughts on rose oil?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Leise, I adore rose hydrosols, yet have not ever tried pure rose essential oil in any of my own products. Rose is a very common ingredient in many natural skin care products and all that I have tried in the past have been really pleasant experiences.
Amina says
So do you have to wash the toner off before you apply your moisturizer or do you leave it on ?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amina, You do not have to wash the toner off. Peace and Sunshine, Dawn Michelle
Della says
WOW!
This is so awesome! Thanks Dawn for this! I found your site just in time. I will be trying the toner and honey face wash. Honey from farmers market will suffice right?
Della
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Della, Honey from the farmer’s market will work great. Look for raw honey as you will recieve the best benefits with live enzymes in raw honey. Peace!
Natural Love says
Dawn, Is there an alternative to Chamomile oil? It seems so experience..and each site do you recommend to purchase it from
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Natural Love, Although blue chamomile oil is absolutely wonderful you can also try calendula or lavendar essential oil. You can find organic essential oils at Mountain Rose Herbs. Peace and Sunshine!
Kandice says
I have put these ingredients on my shopping list for tomorrow so I can make some of this. Can’t wait! I’ve been without toner for a while and don’t want to spend $30 on a bottle. My skin is dry, but acne prone so I’m hoping this will help. Thanks so much!
Dawn Michelle says
Let me know how it works out for you Kandice. Best Wishes!
Monika says
Hello Dawn,
Im not able to find blue chamomile oil is it okay to use wild chamomile instead?
Thanks so much,
Monika
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Monika, Blue chamomile has a higher azulene content which is wonderful for skin, yet wild chamomile will also work well.
Renée says
I’m still learning about how to incorporate the right natural ingredients into my regimen, and I have found that my skin responds well to tea tree oil. Can I use that in place of the chamomile essential oil in this toner? Also, how does this differ from using witch hazel as a toner? Thanks!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Renée,
This toner is alcohol free and green tea has tons of antioxidants for the skin. If your skin responds well to tea tree oil than definitely use it. It is a very strong essential oil so you will only need a few drops. With any new product, monitor how your skin responds to it to ensure that it works well for you. Hope that helps.
Renée says
Thanks so much for the quick response. I never even knew witch hazel contained alcohol.
Dawn Michelle says
Most witch hazel formulations contain a small percentage of alcohol. But it is possible that not all do.
Chloe says
Could I use lavender or rosemary essential oil?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Chloe, Use whatever essential oil that you like. Although I have DIY beauty recipes throughout this blog, feel free to modify them for your own preferences and needs. Best wishes!
Lana says
Hi Dawn,
How would you compare using a toner made from tea to using hydrosol as a toner or aloe juice as a toner? And when using one of these as a toner, would I use it at night after oil cleansing, or in the morning after cleansing with raw honey, or both? Also, any of these or something else recommended for perking up/moisturizing skin on an airplane or for travel?
Also, I saw your post on camellia oil and it sounds amazing! Is it too much as a facial moisturizer for acne-prone skin and/or after oil cleansing with jojoba mixture?
Thank you!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lana,
Use whatever toner you like the most. It honestly takes trying one or the other to know what works for you. The toners you mentioned will have uniquely different properties based on the ingredients. For instance aloe vera has natural salicidic acid and is very moisturizing which is great for dehydrated acne prone skin. All three options would also make a great moisturizing spritz yet a hydrosol may be the best for a flight since it would not need refrigeration. Also you cleanse, tone, then moisturize so you can use any toner after oil cleansing. Do what is best for your skin and pay close attention to how it responds to new skin care items. Hope that helps some.
Lana says
That’s a really good idea to use the aloe at home so it can be refrigerated, but take the hydrosol on the plane. The benefits of the different options all sound so good, it’s hard to pick! 🙂 I find myself having to try to slow down and start simple to give my skin a chance to adjust to new things.
Anyway, thank you, and I wish you a lovely weekend!
Dawn Michelle says
You’re so welcome Lana!
Kelley says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
First, let me say again how your website and methods have changed my life forever!! I would like to start using a DIM toner, but I don’t like the idea of having to keep it refrigerated. Do you have any suggestions for something that can be left at room temperature? Maybe if I use organic witch hazel as a base? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!
Dawn says
I’m becoming addicted to your site, thanks. Plus, I’m also a Dawn Michelle. 🙂 I have type one hair (formerly mouse brown, but now henna-ed a deep red) and pale, pale, ruddy Celtic skin. If I can’t eat it, it doesn’t go on the outside either (except mineral make-up, I suppose).
Thayer’s makes an alcohol free witch hazel. They have both, actually, in a variety of “flavors”. The ones that say “astringent” have alcohol, the ones that say “toner” don’t. Plus they have added aloe to them. You can find them online or at your local HFS.
Also, I have seen witch hazel hydrosols on a few sites as well that do not have alcohol.
One last thing, I like to use Republic of Tea Acai Green Tea bags as my base for ACV toner as it has hibiscus and acai berry in it for additional anti-ox goodness. Again, you can get it at your local HFS or Cost Plus/World Market. Two tea bags shaken up in a 16 oz. bottle of water with a bit of stevia is yummy for the tummy too.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dawn,
Thanks so much for sharing all of this info! I also think it is pretty awesome to meet another Dawn Michelle! I hope you are having a wonderful day and best wishes!
Tracey says
Please excuse my lacking knowledge here,
Can someone please explain to me how you figure out how much of say, tea tree that is mixed with another ingredient, that says 5, or 10% mix??
Thanks!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tracey,
When you use essential oils in a carrier oil you can add up to 10 drops of essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil. When adding essential oils to other liquids it really just depends upon what essential oil you are using. I hope this helps some.
Best wishes!
daisy says
Hello Dawn
I really love your website. It’s Wonderful. At the moment I am using rose water as a toner. Will this work until I can get the ingredients for this diy Toner? Or can I just use this as a toner? And finally, I usually spray it on my face, should I apply it with cotton pad instead? Thankyou :)))
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Daisy,
Rose water is amazing and yes spraying it is a great way to use it too! I’m so glad you are enjoying the site as well! <3
Kristen says
Has anyone else found this toner to bring on more breakouts? I’m super acne prone and get cystic acne, and my skin is very sensitive. Though I’d give this toner a try to see if it would help heal the acne I had and I seemed to get more.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kristen,
If this DIY toner isn’t working for you please try something else. Your skin will tell you what it likes and dislikes and it is important to listen to it. Also please know that healing your skin isn’t only a topical solution. You can read more about that here, here, and here. I originally posted this recipe in 2011 and have shared other simple chemcial-free skin care ideas in this more recent series. I also shared my less is more philosophy with skin care here. I hope that this info is helpful!