I recently began to experiment with new natural skin care recipes to include in my daily routine. For the past couple of years I’ve switched out store bought toiletries for homemade personal care products.
I now have DIY versions of nearly everything my family uses on a regular basis. Making these allows me to control exactly what goes into the products we use everyday. I’m able to cut down on our exposure to chemicals and toxins.
It’s a much simpler process that most people imagine. My recipes are quick and easy to make, calling for a few basic ingredients that I always have on hand.
While some of these ingredients, like essential oils, require a small investment upfront, a little goes a long way. These homemade version are much cheaper than commercial alternatives available at the store. Making them at home using bulk ingredients also cuts down on packaging waste.
As an adult, I’ve been pretty lucky with my skin type. A low maintenance regime has worked well. Occasionally I deal with some dryness in the winter months. Now that I’m entering my mid 30s though, I feel it’s time to up my natural skin care routine.
This basic homemade face toner could not be easier to mix up. It naturally absorbs excess oil and balances your skin’s pH level.
I spritz this toner on my face as the second step of my daily skin care routine. Step one is washing my face with this natural face wash. I follow the toner with step three, a simple face oil to keep my skin moisturized. That recipe is coming soon!
Basic Homemade Face Toner
What You Will Need:
- 3 tbsp distilled water
- 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops frankincense frereana essential oil
Why These Ingredients?
Using distilled water in your personal care products ensures that the water is free of contaminates like bacteria.
Raw apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help soothe skin infections or irritations. The acidity in it helps maintain the natural pH balance of your skin. It can exfoliate, absorb excess oils, and ease blocked pores.
Lavender’s universal benefits as an essential oil apply to skin care too. It soothes skin and clear up blemishes. It also has healing properties and can reduce scars and wrinkles.
Frankincense frereana is the best type of frankincense for skin care. It is known for it’s rejuvenating properties. It can smooth wrinkles and scars as well as promote the healing of dry or damaged skin.
How to Make Basic Homemade Face Toner:
This recipe makes 2 ounces of face toner. I store mine in a 2 oz amber bottle with a spray top for easy application.
Pour 1 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar into the bottle.
Add 3 tbsp distilled water.
Count out your drops of essential oil.
Screw on the lid and shake to combine.
Shake before each use.
After washing my face in the morning, I spritz the toner directly onto my skin, carefully keeping my eyes shut. I usually apply between 4 to 6 sprays.
You could also apply the toner to a cotton ball or pad using that to evenly distribute over your skin.
I use this face toner at least once a day. This amount lasts me 3 to 4 months.
Notes and Variations for Face Toner:
I’ve mentioned before that raw apple cider vinegar is not my favorite smell. Once it dries on your skin though, there isn’t any lingering scent. The essential oils help as does applying a moisturizer or face oil right after.
I chose these essential oils for their skin healing properties plus I enjoy the smell of lavender. The essential oils could be left out, substituted for your favorite scents, or customized for your skin type. To learn more about what essential oils would work best to support your skin check out my guide Essential Oils for Natural Skin Care.
Other Recipes I Use These Ingredients For:
- We dab raw apple cider vinegar on skin irritations like poison oak rash to help dry it out. Otherwise I mostly use raw ACV in the kitchen. It’s amazing in the fall and winter months added to a tonic or tea when you’re feeling under the weather. I also use it in one of my favorite homemade dressings for honey mustard.
- I use lavender in countless DIY recipes from bug spray to homemade shampoo to a roller bottle to aid sleep.
- Frankincense frereana is my go to essential oil for skin care. It’s featured in my recipes for natural belly butter, hand butter for dry skin, and basic moisturizer.
Resources:
Essential Oils for Natural Skin Care
Beginning with Essential Oils: A Basic Guide
6 Reasons to Make Your Own Personal Care Products
What are your favorite natural skin care products? Do you make your own beauty care recipes at home?
