Make Your Own All Natural Facial Toners

Toners make an excellent addition to your daily skin care routine.  They can be used to help balance skin's ph and oil production.  Specialty ingredients can also be included to help reduce redness, soothe irritation, and even provide anti-aging benefit.  Can your commercially made toner do all that?  Chances are, an artisan made toner, or a handmade toner would do your skin a world of good. 

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Making your own toner is very easy to do.  Just combine your favorite water based ingredients in a bottle, and add a touch of Grapefruit Seed Extract(GSE) to keep it free from bacterial growth.  GSE should be added at a rate of .2% – 1%, or 1 – 5 drops per ounce of toner.  A simple toner can be made from one part Apple Cider Vinegar to three parts Distilled Water.  Want to amp up that recipe?  Consider substituting some, or all of the water with one of the following hydrosols.

Organic Carrot Seed Hydrosol:  A great choice for mature or troubled skin types, Carrot Seed Hydrosol can help to reduce the signs of wrinkles, scars, and damaged skin.  It also promotes the growth of healthy new skin cells, making it helpful to all skin types. 

Cistus (Labdanum) Hydrosol:  This pungent hydrosol is ideal for damaged or mature skin.  It can help to reduce the appearance of scars as it plumps and skin cells and prevents wrinkles.

Organic Geranium Bourbon Hydrosol:  An all around favorite hydrosol for skin care, Geranium Bourbon can help to balance skin's moisture while soothing inflammation.  It's great for combination skin and mature skin.

Organic Helichrysum Hydrosol:  Like the precious essential oil that comes from the same plant, Helichrysum Hydrosol is an excellent choice for anti-aging skin care formulations.  It also posesses strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it helpful to acne prone skin, irritated skin, and combination skin as well. 

Lavandula Augusifolia Hydrosol:  Lavender helps to balance skin's moisture, making it a good choice for those with combination skin.  Its antibacterial properties can also be helpful for those suffering from acne.

Lemon Balm Hydrosol:  Perfect for oily and acne prone skin types, Lemon Balm provides antibacterial benefits and astringency. 

Roman Chamomile Hydrosol:  With its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, Roman Chamomile is a great choice for both dry, irritated skin, and combination or acne prone skin.  This hydrosol can help reduce redness, itchiness, and inflammation. 

Rose Damascena Hydrosol:  Ideal for all skin types, Rose Hydrosol is a classic beauty ingredient that makes an excellent ingredient in toners for all skin types.  Rose Hydrosol is especially beneficial for mature skin types, as it may help to prevent wrinkles and fine lines.  

Rosemary Verbenone Hydrosol:  Rosemary Hydrosol is a good choice for oily and acne prone skin types.  It can help unclog pores and balance skin's moisture.

Witch Hazel Hydrosol:  Witch Hazel Hydrosol can be used on all skin types, but it is particularly helpful to combination skin.  It can soothe red, irritated skin, while helping to prevent acne.

Yarrow Hydrosol:  Those suffering from dry, irritated skin, or chronic redness will love Yarrow Hydrosol.  It's strong soothing properties can be extremely helpful. 

Facial Toner Recipes
Each recipe makes two ounces.  These batches should be used or discarded within 3 weeks.

Facial Toner for Dry, Irritated Skin

• 1/2 ounce Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
• 1/2 ounce Rose Damascena Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Yarrow Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Roman Chamomile Hydrosol

Facial Toner for Normal or Mature Skin

• 1/2 ounce Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
• 1/2 ounce Organic Geranium Bourbon Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Rose Damascena Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Organic Helichrysum Hydrosol

Facial Toner for Combination Skin

• 1/2 ounce Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
• 1/2 ounce Lavandula Augusifolia Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Witch Hazel Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Yarrow Hydrosol

Facial Toner for Oily or Acne Prone Skin

• 1/2 ounce Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• 5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
• 1/2 ounce Lemon Balm Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Rosemary Verbenone Hydrosol
• 1/2 ounce Organic Helichrysum Hydrosol

These are just some suggestions to help you get started.  Experiment with different hydrosols to see which your skin like best, and build your own customized toner.  If you'd prefer to purchase a handmade toner rather than make one from scratch, visit our Artisan Directory on Beauty by the Batch.