Lindsey Chastain

Lindsey Chastain is 1/2 of the husband and wife team that make The Waddle and Cluck run. She is also the founder of The Writing Detective and A Pen and a Page.

The Waddle and Cluck is an Amazon Associate. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases.

Buy Our Eggs

Enjoy Free Shipping On Orders Over $75 with Farm Hound

Goodbye Rusty Lids, Hello reCAP Mason Jar Lids

Rosewater Refresh Toner

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

The Power of Homemade Toner for Healthy, Glowing Skin

Toner is often overlooked, but this unsung skincare hero can make a big difference in the health and appearance of your complexion. Using a toner has many benefits – it rebalances your skin’s pH after cleansing, removes any lingering traces of dirt, oil or makeup, refines the look of pores, adds an extra shot of hydration, and allows subsequent products like serums to absorb better.

But not all toners are created equal. Many commercial drugstore toners contain cheap fillers like alcohol which can strip your skin’s natural oils. Fragrances and dyes can also irritate and exacerbate skin conditions like acne, rosacea or eczema.

That’s why making your own natural toner at home is so beneficial. You control exactly what ingredients go into it based on your own skin’s needs and sensitivities. Read on to learn why homemade toner should be a staple in your skincare regimen.

Why DIY Toner is Superior for Your Skin

Crafting your own customized toner has many advantages:

Use gentle, botanical ingredients that nourish the skin – Think skin-soothing aloe vera, anti-inflammatory chamomile, and brightening rose water. Avoid harsh alcohols that can disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier and cause redness or flaking.
Target specific skin care concerns – Tailor your toner for your skin type. Acne-prone skin benefits from antibacterial tea tree, oily skin from oil-balancing witch hazel, and dry skin from hydrating rosewater.
Avoid synthetic fragrances and dyes – These can provoke skin reactions and inflammation in those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Stick to natural plant extracts.
Cost savings – Designer toners can cost upwards of $30 an ounce. Make your own for a fraction of the price with basic ingredients.
Ingredient transparency – You know exactly what’s going into your product. No mystery ingredients or “proprietary blends.”
Fun and rewarding – Following your own toner recipe lets you tap into your creativity. And there’s a satisfaction that comes from making something with your own two hands.
Less waste – Skip the plastic packaging and single-use toner pads. Make reusable cotton pads or use a washable silicone pad.

How to Use a Natural Homemade Toner

Follow these simple steps to incorporate a natural toner into your routine:

After cleansing, pour a small amount of toner onto a cotton round or reusable pad.
Gently wipe over face, neck and décolletage to remove any remaining traces of cleanser.
Pat skin lightly with hands until toner is absorbed. No need to rinse.
Follow with your regular serums, moisturizers or treatments. The toner preps skin to better absorb these.
Use morning and night after cleansing for clean, balanced skin.
Keep toner in the fridge for an extra cooling, refreshing sensation.
Shake before each use to combine any separated ingredients.
Make a new batch every 1-2 months to keep ingredients fresh.

Now that you know the ins and outs of toner, let’s get into an easy DIY toner recipe specifically designed for glowing, youthful skin.

The Perfect Blend of Soothing Botanicals

This homemade rosewater and witch hazel toner contains a synergistic blend of natural ingredients that nourish and care for all skin types.

Rosewater – Rosewater is distilled from real roses and has been used for centuries for its beautifying effects. It contains compounds like flavonoids and tannins that soothe redness, soften skin and tighten pores. Its lovely natural scent is uplifting and soothing.

Witch Hazel – Made from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel plant, this natural astringent helps minimize pores, control excess oil and inflammation. It calms redness and irritation. Look for alcohol-free witch hazel.

Lavender Oil – The darling of the essential oils, lavender has a pretty floral aroma along with healing antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s gentle enough for sensitive or mature skin.

Tea Tree Oil – With its crisp medicinal scent, tea tree oil is naturally antiseptic and antimicrobial. It attacks acne-causing bacteria and soothes breakouts. Use sparingly as it can be drying in excess.

Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a hit of skin-brightening vitamin C and natural acidity to gently exfoliate and renew dull complexions.

This combo of rosewater, witch hazel and essential oils packs a punch when it comes to clarifying, toning and calming all skin types including oily, congested, dry, or acne-prone. The recipe is very customizable – adjust extracts and oils based on your skin’s needs.

Follow Along: How to Make Your Own Soothing Facial Toner

Making your own toner at home is quick and easy. Here’s what you’ll need:

Equipment:

Mixing bowl
Spoon
Funnel (optional)
4 oz reusable glass bottle or jar

Ingredients:

1/4 cup witch hazel
1/4 cup rosewater
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops tea tree essential oil
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice (about 1 tsp)

Step 1 – Add the rosewater and witch hazel to your sterilized bottle or jar. Use a funnel if you have one.

Step 2 – Add in the essential oils drop by drop.

Step 3 – Squeeze in about 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.

Step 4 – Cap and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to fully blend all the ingredients.

It’s as simple as that! For best results, be sure to shake the toner before each use to incorporate any ingredients that have separated. Store in the fridge and your toner should last 1-2 months.

When Made with Care, DIY is Better

Taking a small amount of time to blend your own facial toner is incredibly rewarding. You end up with a product free of mystery additives and full of skin-restoring ingredients tailored to your needs.

Following an easy toner recipe lets you build an essential skincare habit. And using a natural toner made with botanicals and essential oils benefits your skin so much more than a generic drugstore one full of alcohol and perfumes.

Homemade beauty is self-care at its finest. Hopefully, this guides you on your journey crafting natural products that make your skin look and feel its glowing best every day. Let us know your favorite DIY skincare recipes in the comments!

This homemade toner with witch hazel, rosewater and essential oils can help address several skin concerns:

Oily/Acne-prone Skin – The witch hazel and tea tree oil help control excess oil production and prevent acne breakouts.
Dull/Tired Skin – The rosewater and vitamin C from lemon brighten and energize dull, tired-looking skin.
Large Pores – The astringent properties in witch hazel can help minimize the appearance of large pores.
Anti-Aging – Lavender oil contains antioxidants that help protect skin against premature aging and cell damage.
Sensitive Skin – Chamomile and lavender oil provide calming and soothing relief for irritated sensitive skin.
Dry Skin – Rosewater hydrates and moisturizes dry skin. The oils also provide nourishing fatty acids.
Uneven Tone – The vitamin C evens out skin tone and helps fade hyperpigmentation and acne marks.
Congested Skin – The natural antiseptics in essential oils help decongest clogged pores and prevent breakouts.

So in summary, this toner can help with acne, dullness, pores, aging, irritation, dryness and uneven skin tone for most skin types. The gentle, natural ingredients make it suitable for daily use.