DIY Facial Toner: with Natural Ingredients

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.

We am happy to admit that we have been loving this facial toner recipe, especially the recipe for normal skin. We don’t really have excess oil so that one fits our needs best.

But we do have four different options, so you can make your own toner blend just the way you need for your specific skin type.

Over the years, we have found that a DIY facial toner can be made with simple ingredients like apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and essential oils to leave your skin smooth and glowing. According to this source, it can even help with acne.

So, if you love making your own skincare products, you are going to love these recipes. They are specifically designed for the sensitive skin on the face, which is why using gentle, face-specific products like homemade natural face moisturizers and homemade face washes is important.

WHAT IS FACIAL TONER?

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. Facial toner is used to cleanse the skin and shrink pores.

It will help to even out skin tone, remove dead skin cells, and promote clearer skin. Depending on the type of facial toner you are using, it can also be very moisturizing and add hydration.

We just love the way it feels on our skin, and sometimes, we'll even skip the makeup so we can reapply throughout the day. Facial toner can be applied like a spray or a serum, depending on preference. As you can see, we definitely prefer a spray bottle since it’s so easy to apply that way.

We will say that if you don’t want to use a spray bottle, you can always soak it in a clean cotton ball and massage it into the skin.

HOW TO MAKE FACIAL TONER WITH NATURAL INGREDIENTS

This is seriously one of the easiest beauty products you will ever make. To start, simply scroll through the different recipes below to decide which skin type you have, then dive right in.

As far as tools go, we recommend at least a 6-ounce glass spray bottle for easy storage and application.

If any of these ingredients will not work for you for whatever reason, we have a section below titled ‘face toner alternatives’ that can be used on their own as a toner.

HOMEMADE TONER FOR NORMAL SKIN

INGREDIENTS

• 1 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz distilled water
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
2. Secure the lid and shake well.
3. Shake before each use.
4. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

DIY FACE TONER FOR DRY SKIN

INGREDIENTS

• 1.4 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz distilled water
• 5 drops vitamin E oil (optional)
• 3 drops myrrh essential oil
• 3 drops geranium essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
2. Secure the lid and shake well.
3. Shake before each use.
4. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

DIY FACIAL TONER FOR OILY SKIN

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz rose water
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
2. Secure the lid and shake well.
3. Shake before each use.
4. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

HOMEMADE FACIAL TONER FOR AGING SKIN

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz rose water
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops vitamin E oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all of the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
2. Secure the lid and shake well.
3. Shake before each use.
4. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

Step-by-step images

This recipe is seriously so easy – you won’t believe it! But if you’d like some helpful visuals along the way, we've included pictures for each step of the process.

Tips

• Storage: Since this toner is made with all-natural ingredients, it won’t have the same preservatives as store-bought products. To make it last as long as possible, we recommend storing it in a cool, dark place like the fridge. This will help keep the ingredients fresh and effective for up to a month.
• Patch Test: Before applying this toner all over your face, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first. Simply apply a small amount to the inner arm and wait 24 hours. If you experience any redness, itching, or irritation, it’s best to avoid using this toner on your face.
• Sensitive Skin: If you have sensitive skin, the witch hazel and apple cider vinegar in this recipe might be a little too strong. No worries! You can easily dilute them with some water to create a gentler solution for your skin. Just experiment with the dilution ratio until you find what feels comfortable.

HOW TO USE YOUR FACE TONER

Spray the facial toner on your face and gently work it onto the skin with a clean cloth or your hands. Alternatively, if you don’t store it in a sprayer, you can easily soak a cotton pad in the toner and apply it to the face that way.

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.

THE BEST ESSENTIAL OILS FOR YOUR FACE TONER

Essential oils can be very beneficial for the face by helping to cleanse the skin, reduce signs of aging, and improve skin tone. 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.

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.

Face toner alternatives

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.

Here are a few great toner alternatives that can be used on their own.

• Homemade rosehip oil
• Homemade rose water
• DIY vitamin C serum
• DIY green tea toner
• coconut water
• Aloe vera gel
• Rice water
• Cucumbers
• Lemon juice (diluted)

FAQ

Is applying toner good for your face?

Toner can be especially beneficial for people with acne-prone skin or oily skin. It will help to shrink pores and protect the skin. After cleansing our skin, a facial toner can help 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, see 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 we 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 using less apple cider vinegar and witch hazel.

Is apple cider vinegar safe 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. Sources: health.unl.edu, nih, Healthline.

More of our Favorite Makeup Recipes

• Homemade Eyeliner
• Makeup Remover
• DIY Foundation
• Setting Powder (or setting spray)
• Smudge Free Mascara
• Top 10 Natural Makeups

We have absolutely loved whipping up these recipes with you all! We're so curious to hear which one you decided to try on your own skin and, more importantly, how it worked for you.

Did you notice your skin feeling more balanced or refreshed?

Let me know in the comments below! We're so happy to have finally added this skin toner step to our own skincare routine—our skin already feels amazing!

5 from 7 votes

DIY Facial Toner with Natural Ingredients

By the studio Ascher Prep: 5 minutes minsActive: 5 minutes minsTotal: 10 minutes mins Yield: 5 oz SaveSaved Pin Print Tired of oily skin? Make your own facial toner using readily available ingredients! This DIY toner promises to leave your skin feeling smooth and radiant while offering a natural solution for acne-prone skin.

Equipment

• 6 oz spray bottle

Ingredients

Toner for normal skin

• 1 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz distilled water
• 3 drops lavender essential oil
• 3 drops tea tree essential oil

Toner for dry skin

• 1.4 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz distilled water
• 5 drops vitamin E oil, optional
• 3 drops myrrh essential oil
• 3 drops geranium essential oil

Toner for oily skin

• 2 oz apple cider vinegar
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 2 oz rose water
• 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 3 drops Roman chamomile essential oil

Toner for aging skin

• 2 oz rose water
• 2 oz witch hazel
• 6 drops frankincense essential oil
• 3 drops vitamin E oil

Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Choosing from one of the recipes above, add the ingredients to a spray bottle.
• Secure the spray top and shake well.
• Lightly spray onto clean skin, avoiding the eyes and nose.
• Allow it to dry before applying your favorite moisturizer or make-up.

Notes

We've included step-by-step images in the post above for visual guidance. You can gently rub this gently onto your face with a cotton ball for easier application. We recommend storing it in a cool, dark place like the fridge. This will help keep the ingredients fresh and effective for up to a month. Before applying this toner all over your face, it’s always a good idea to do a patch test first. Simply apply a small amount to the inner arm and wait 24 hours. If you experience any redness, itching, or irritation, it’s best to avoid using this toner on your face. If you have sensitive skin, the witch hazel and apple cider vinegar in this recipe might be a little too strong. No worries. You can easily dilute them more with water to create a gentler solution for your skin. Just experiment with the dilution ratio until you find what feels comfortable. Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse! This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.