How to Make Toner for Skin: A Detailed Guide

Creating your own toner for skin can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to maintain your skincare routine. Toner helps to balance the pH of your skin, remove any remaining traces of dirt or makeup, and prepare your skin to absorb serums and moisturizers more effectively. Below, I’ll walk you through the process of making a simple, homemade toner that can cater to various skin types and concerns.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Before diving into the recipe, it’s important to consider the ingredients you’ll be using. Here are some common toner ingredients and their benefits:

Ingredient	Benefits
Green Tea	Antioxidant properties, reduces inflammation
Apple Cider Vinegar	Acidic pH helps to balance skin’s pH, antibacterial properties
Witch Hazel	Antiseptic, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties
Aloe Vera	Hydrating, soothing, and healing properties
Honey	Antibacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing properties

Choose ingredients based on your skin type and concerns. For example, if you have oily skin, you might opt for apple cider vinegar or witch hazel. If you have sensitive skin, aloe vera or green tea would be more suitable.

The Basic Recipe

Here’s a simple recipe for a homemade toner that can be adjusted to suit your skin’s needs:

1 cup of distilled water
2 tablespoons of green tea (steeped for 5-10 minutes)
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of witch hazel
Optional: 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel or honey

Follow these steps to create your toner:

Boil the distilled water and steep the green tea leaves for 5-10 minutes. Allow the tea to cool completely.
In a clean glass bottle, combine the cooled green tea, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel.
Optional: Add aloe vera gel or honey to the mixture for additional benefits.
Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
Store the toner in a cool, dark place. It should last for about a month.

How to Use the Toner

After cleansing your face, apply a small amount of toner to a cotton ball or pad. Gently swipe the toner over your face, avoiding the eye area. Allow your skin to absorb the toner before applying any other skincare products.

Storing Your Homemade Toner

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the effectiveness of your homemade toner. Here are some tips:

Keep your toner in a clean, dark glass bottle to protect it from sunlight and bacteria.
Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed to prevent any contaminants from entering.
Keep your toner away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Use a fresh applicator (such as a cotton ball or pad) each time you apply the toner to avoid introducing bacteria.