DIY Toner: How to Make One for Dry Skin, Oily Skin, Acne and More

• Many toners contain naturally-sourced ingredients that are available online or in health stores.
• Create your own toner and customize the ingredients to suit your individual skin type.
• Cucumber and aloe vera are nourishing ingredients for dry skin, providing much-needed hydration.
• Tea tree oil and witch hazel are ideal for oily and acne-prone skin as they improve the complexion and control sebum production.
• Rose water and chamomile are soothing ingredients that are appropriate for sensitive skin 

Many of the ingredients in commercial facial toners are derived from natural botanicals, such as aloe vera, green tea and witch hazel. These natural ingredients can be purchased online or in-store at a much lower cost than a high-end toner product and can be excellent choices for those opting for a DIY route.

Why Use a DIY Toner?

Homemade face toners can help you attain clear skin while on a small budget.

Creating your own DIY toner ensures you’ll know exactly what the ingredients are. This is especially important for those who experience sensitivity, irritation or acne breakouts when using various skin care products.

As most DIY toner recipes contain botanical ingredients, they’re an appropriate choice for those who follow a natural skin care routine. They’re also very easy to make, with ingredients you likely already have at home.

Are DIY Toners Effective?

Yes. When prepared correctly, DIY facial toners can offer the same benefits as commercial toners.

Not only do toners remove leftover impurities and residue after cleansing, they also provide additional benefits such as soothing sensitive skin, controlling oily skin and reducing inflammation caused by acne. 

Skin has a natural pH balance that is slightly acidic, to help protect it from stressors in the environment. Harsh soaps and cleansers can disturb this balance and negatively impact the skin, resulting in dryness, irritation or pimples. Use of a toner will help restore your skin’s pH level. 

How to Apply Toner

A toner should be used as part of a 3-step skin care regimen. Apply the toner using a cotton pad or ball after cleansing to remove any residue, and before moisturizing to prepare the skin for better absorption.  

As a quick refresher, you can also mist the toner over your face with a spray bottle.  

Best DIY Toners for Your Skin Type

You will gain the most from your DIY toner if you know your skin type and its issues. Some ingredients are effective at reducing oil buildup, while others can offer soothing effects for sensitive skin.

Normal skin

Normal skin is typically defined by an even skin tone, with no marked blemishes; oiliness and dryness are a rare occurrence. Appropriate for this skin type would be a mild DIY facial toner that removes impurities and maintains skin’s healthy balance.

Apple cider vinegar and honey DIY toner 

Apple cider vinegar helps to maintain the skin’s natural pH balance due to its natural acidic composition.

Honey is an antibacterial ingredient used within DIY skin care products to soothe and protect the skin. It has also been found to effectively hydrate the skin and lock-in moisture.

How to:

• Combine 2–4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water.
• Add one teaspoon of honey; stir well.
• Transfer the mixture to a glass container.
• Optional –  for additional soothing effects, add 1 chamomile tea bag to the mixture and steep for 10 minutes.

Dry skin

Dry facial skin is characterized by tightness and rough, flaking, patches of skin. Using a toner will remove the dead skin cells, soften and prepare the skin to better absorb an application of moisturizer.

Cucumber and aloe vera DIY toner

Cucumber is a moisturizing ingredient that leaves skin feeling hydrated. It can soothe irritation and provide relief to those with dry or sensitive skin.

Aloe vera is a popular ingredient in various commercial skin care products. It can alleviate symptoms of dry skin by reducing irritation and acting as a soothing anti-inflammatory. Aloe vera is typically sold as a gel, however liquid forms can also be purchased to use within DIY toners.

How to:

• Peel and chop a cucumber; transfer to a pan.
• Cover with distilled water, heat at low temperature and then let cool.
• Blend and strain into a glass container.
• Add a few drops of aloe vera.

Oily skin

Excess oil production results in a shiny appearance and an increased risk of clogged pores.

Witch hazel and lemon juice DIY toner

Witch hazel is a natural astringent, best suited to those with oily skin. Astringents are ingredients that are used to tighten pores, reducing their appearance.

Lemon juice is rich in citric acid and vitamin C. When used on skin, it removes excess oil while also reducing the appearance of pores.

How to:

• Combine one-half cup of witch hazel with a few drops of fresh lemon juice.
• Transfer the mixture to a glass container.
• Shake container before each use.

Combination skin

Combination skin applies to those who experience both dry and oily areas on the face – typically around the nose, chin and forehead. It can be challenging to treat this skin type, but there is a DIY toner that can successfully address both issues simultaneously. 

Glycerin and lemon juice DIY toner

Glycerin is a highly effective moisturizing ingredient commonly used in commercial skin care products. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin, leaving it feeling plumped and smooth. 

The lemon juice will address the oil-prone areas and will reduce excessive shine and the likelihood of pimple formation. 

How to:

• Combine 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of glycerin and 3–5 drops of fresh lemon juice.
• Stir the mixture well and transfer to a glass container.
• Shake container before each use.

Sensitive skin

Sensitive skin exhibits redness and irritation after the use of cosmetics and certain skin care products. Fragrances, unwanted additives, or known sensitivities to certain ingredients are other reasons to choose a DIY toner over commercial products.

Toners for sensitive skin offer soothing benefits, reducing symptoms such as redness and inflammation.

Rose water and chamomile DIY toner

Rose water is a common toner ingredient used to calm the skin, and provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. These antioxidants protect the skin from damaging UV rays and pollutants that can irritate or damage skin.

Chamomile is another beneficial ingredient for sensitive skin, as it reduces inflammation and redness.

How to:

• Add 2 cups of rose petals to 3 cups water and boil gently for 30 minutes to make rose water.
• Add a few drops of chamomile oil to the rose water and stir.
• Let the mixture cool and transfer to a glass container.
• Alternately, you may purchase premade rose water.
• Alternately, use 1 chamomile tea bag in place of the chamomile oil.

Acne-prone skin

Finding products that won’t cause breakouts can be a difficult task if you suffer from acne-prone skin. By creating your own DIY face toner and selecting each ingredient, you can ensure the final product is tailored to your skin’s needs.

Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial ingredients treat the symptoms of acne by reducing inflammation and preventing infection. By combining both tea tree and green tea, you can create a powerful acne-fighting DIY toner.

Tea tree oil and green tea DIY toner

Tea tree oil has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an ideal choice to treat acne. Studies have shown that tea tree oil is a gentler alternative to the popular acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide, with fewer side effects being reported.

Green tea extract offers similar benefits to tea tree oil, fighting against acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation. Additionally, it can be used to control and reduce sebum levels, reducing the appearance of clogged pores.

How to:

• Brew 2 green tea bags in 1 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes and let cool.
• Transfer the mixture to a glass container and add a few drops of tea tree oil.

How to Store DIY Toners

You may have noticed that some skin care products are packaged in dark bottles. Dark bottles protect the ingredients from oxygen and light, which can cause the mixture to breakdown and become ineffective.

Antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, are susceptible to this degradation and should be stored in a cool, dark area.

DIY toners are best kept in your fridge to ensure the ingredients remain fresh. You can use a homemade toner for up to a week if stored correctly. Discard if the mixture changes in color or develops an unusual odor.

Takeaway

Toners should be the second step in your skin care regime, to remove impurities and any lingering residue that remain after cleansing. Toners can also provide multiple benefits including reducing the appearance of large pores, moisturizing, protecting and restoring skin’s pH balance. 

DIY toners can offer the same results as commercial products, yet also have the added bonus of allowing you to tailor the ingredients to meet your specific needs.

When creating a DIY toner, you should select ingredients that are suited to your skin type. Normal, dry and sensitive skin types should use gentle ingredients that help balance the skin’s pH and also provide moisture. Sebum controlling ingredients are best suited for oily skin types, while those that offer anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits are beneficial for acne-prone skin.