AN EFFECTIVE TONER YOU CAN MAKE @ HOME!

Here’s a recipe for an easy, inexpensive, and effective toner for dry to normal skin types you can make in your kitchen for less than a dollar. You may have to spend another dollar for a spray bottle with a cap but, of course, you can reuse the bottle many times. A cap is important to keep your sprayer sanitary between uses.

Remember, this homemade toner meets the acidic requirement for an effective toner and also provides an antioxidant bonus. I am a firm believer in using as many antioxidants and vitamins as possible in skincare products, in addition to taking them internally. There are plenty of people who argue that topical antioxidants and vitamins are a waste of time. I’ve found them to be very helpful. I’ve used this recipe for years. As proof of my theory I offer a close look at myself. I’m currently 62 years old have no lines or crows’ feet as you can see in my picture. (Knock on wood!) I truly believe that topical and internal supplements are a key element in our skin’s appearance.


Anyway, here goes:

GREEN TEA TONER FOR NORMAL SKIN
Mix 8 ounces of distilled or filtered water with 1 green tea bag and allow sitting at room temperature until the water just begins to turn light yellow. Discard tea bag. Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar to toner. For a pleasant scent add several drops of oil of lavender or another calming essential oil. Place mixture in a spray bottle and apply to face immediately after the second cleanse.

You will notice that a brownish cloud will form in the bottom of your bottle after a few days. This is a natural by-product of the rice vinegar interacting with the green tea. Please discard the toner when you see this and make a new batch. You can extend the life of each batch by storing it in the fridge. Chilled toner will be extra refreshing during the summer months.

Since you won’t be able to test acid levels of toner before purchasing, I’ve included a list of other ingredients to avoid when shopping for toner. Read labels carefully before purchasing any cosmetic product.

Alcohol
Artificial fragrance
Bergamot
Cedarwood oil
Cinnamon
Clove oil
Colors or dyes
Eucalyptus oil
Hydrogen peroxide
Lemon/lime oil
Lanolin
Menthol
Orange/Tangerine oil
Peppermint oil
Spearmint

Ingredients that are recommended in skincare products include:

Almond oil
Avocado oil
Chamomile
Grapeseed oil
Lavender
Olive oil
Salicyclic acid
Seaweed
Soy extracts
Vitamins
Vitamin E oil

Give it a try...what have you got to lose except paying for the packaging, marketing and hype of manufacturers.

Next time I’ll include a recipe for oily skin.

Hugs,

Carolyn