In the last year I have been consciously trying to eliminate products that are chock full of chemicals, however I wasn’t taking it too seriously with my skincare and makeup items. In the last few months I’ve started dabbling with new products here and there and switching out some old favorites with natural substitutions and let me tell you…it has been totally worth it. I won’t lie and say it’s been easy, because it hasn’t. Especially in the makeup department because I love a done-up face every now and again. Thankfully, I’m still able to have the best of both worlds (for now) and things seem to be working out well.

I stumbled across this toner recipe in a few places and took the time to see what made this toner “tick” before making it myself. It helps to have a good solid base in the type of witch hazel and apple cider vinegar you use, but the magic is in the oils. The reason I love, and choose Young Living is because of their Seed to Seal promise. They have control of the entire process from the seeds, planting, harvesting and production of every oil in their arsenal. This is what makes them the best in my personal opinion and why I choose these oils for our home.

As I said, “the magic is in the oils” which is why I want to give you a quick run down of exactly why each oil works so well for this toner recipe.

Lavender:

• Cleanses and soothes minor skin irritations
• Can be soothing to the skin after a day in the sun
• Reduces the appearance of blemishes
• Supports aging skin
• Includes the naturally occurring constituents linalyl acetate, linalool, and ocimene

Melrose:

• Cleansing properties to support the skin
• Blend of Melaleuca, Naouli, Rosemary and Clove

Tea Tree

• Includes the naturally occurring constituents terpinene4-ol, gamma terpinene, and alpha-terpinene
• Reduces the appearance of blemishes

Geranium

• May help maintain the appearance of healthy, youthful-looking skin
• Includes the naturally occurring constituents citronellol and geraniol
• May help cleanse the skin

Frankincense

• Promotes the appearance of healthy-looking skin
• Reduces the appearance of uneven skin tones

Each of these oils have been used for years and years in aiding skin and can be found I most skincare products now. The difference here however is this toner is in no way made with any chemicals. Everything about it is made from natural ingredients that have been shown to aide in healthy skin. Natural and chemical free is the way to go, which is why I love this toner so much. So today I’m going to tell you how to make this amazing toner on your own.

First up you need something to put you toner in. Since essential oils can loose their potency due to heat and sunlight I always suggest you house your oils in amber colored glass containers away from direct light in a cool, dry place. For this batch I chose these 8oz amber bottles. You can find varying sizes and colors online, but I purchased this set from Amazon. This particular recipe makes 4oz, so I had to double everything to fill this 8oz bottle all the way. You can of course choose to make a much or as little as you choose. Just know the directions I’m about to give you makes 4 fluid ounces.

Once you have your container ready to go you want to add your oils first. I do this as the first step because it takes the longest and I want to make sure I’m add the right amount. Take each oil and add 15 drops of each to your bottle. I personally like to keep it all even. Doing it this way seems to make the perfect amount and works wonderfully together. After you add you oils you want to add 1/4 cup of the with hazel. I personally chose Thayers witch hazel because I’ve used it in the past and have seen great results. However, this time I decided to use the rose petal version because the addition of the rose petal water promotes smaller pores, oil control, and can help lock in moisture. Rose can tend to have a strong smell, so if florals aren’t your things I suggest sticking with plain witch hazel.

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Next up you want to add 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Since this is going on your skin, you want this to be at it’s purest form. I always look for RAW and ORGANIC apple cider vinegar when using it for skincare items. Apple cider vinegar is known to be a natural astringent and has been known to promote blood flow, minimize pores, and help with oily skin. It can also potentially regulate the PH balance of your skin which also promotes clearer, healthy skin.

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Once you’ve combined all your ingredients, seal the bottle and give it a gentle shake to mix everything together. After that you’re good to go! I personally use this once a day after washing my face by applying with a cotton ball before adding moisturizer. I have personally seen a huge difference in my skin after two days of use and can’t wait to see how this continues to work for my face. If you are just starting your natural skin care journey please don’t be discouraged by breakouts. Breakouts are normal when starting a new routine because your skin is purging. Give anything you try on your face at least 2 weeks of consistent use to give your skin the time to rid it’s self of the dirt and grime that may be hiding deep in your pores.

If you have any questions about the oils or products I used in this toner recipe please reach out. I’d love to chat with you about it and help you on your natural skin care journey if it’s something your interested in! What other natural skincare or household cleaners would you like to see me make?