Even if you don’t breakout like you did as a teenager, you probably deal with clogged pores. Because, let’s face it: blemishes come in all sizes, shapes, and colors… and at every age.
While we all want healthy, clear skin, it can be difficult keep breakouts at bay. However, if you are dealing with troublesome pimples or even dark, unsightly blackheads, there are simple and affordable ways to handle them yourself, right at home.
What is a Toner?
Many people skip this part of a beauty regimen. But toner should never be skimped on. A great toner is an excellent way to cleanse the skin of hard-to-reach lingering bacteria and grime deep inside delicate pores. For all skin types, a skin toner—applied after removing your makeup—can be used to:
- Cleanse pores
- Balance pH levels
- Tighten pores
Stop breakouts before they start with these five DIY skin toners:
1. Witch Hazel.
Also a natural astringent, witch hazel makes a wonderfully effective DIY skin toner for acne-prone skin types. To use it, simply apply the solution to a cotton swab and sweep it on trouble areas of the face, like the T-section, chin, and along and under the nose – areas where blackheads commonly form.
2. Green Tea.
One of the most popular beverages in the world, green tea is packed with nutrients for a healthy body. That’s why green tea also makes such an effective skin toner. Use green tea as an antioxidant-rich way to reduce inflammation and redness that can worsen acne blemishes, and to aid in lessening the signs of premature aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar, ACV.
This vinegar is different from other types as it contains what is known as the “mother” of vinegar. You’ll know a high-quality bottle of ACV by the floating plant material at the bottom – that is the “mother.” It is what contains all of the health-promoting nutrients in ACV, so don’t forget to shake the bottle up before applying to your skin. Apple cider vinegar as a DIY skin toner for blemishes restores the skin’s natural pH balance, thus reducing excess oil production. Additionally, ACV provides a natural acid mantle to the skin to guard against acne-causing bacteria. Use ACV as a skin toner regularly and say “goodbye” to bothersome blackheads. Safety precaution: Because ACV is potent, make sure to do a patch test on your hand or neck to make sure your skin won’t react to it.
4. Lemon.
The juice from one large organic lemon makes an invigorating DIY skin toner. Bring the tart and tangy scent of this natural cleanser into your beauty regimen for its ultra-powerful antimicrobial abilities. Not only will lemon juice cleanse the skin, but it also brightens dark spots, reduces redness, and tightens pores. Love lemon juice? You may also want to experiment with other citrus extracts, like orange or grapefruit.
5. Peppermint.
Draw out even the most deep-seated impurities including dirt, dead skin, and oil with peppermint. The cooling effects of the menthol contained in peppermint leaves make it an ideal DIY skin toner.
Caution: The chemical compounds found in peppermint (including menthol) are very potent and can damage sensitive skin, as well as the mucus membranes in the eyes. Use extra care when applying peppermint to your face.
Making DIY Skin Toners At Home
All of these five DIY skin toners work well to reduce the lingering dirt, grime, and bacteria that can cause blemishes. You can choose to use one of these natural ingredients as a DIY toner, or combine them using these three simple recipes:
You’ll Need: A small spray bottle and cotton rounds or squares to dab the solution onto your face.
Easy Peasy Lemon Toner
2 parts witch hazel
1 part juice from a large, organic lemon
Green Tea & ACV Toner
2 parts green tea, brewed hot, and then cooled to room temperature
1 part apple cider vinegar, ACV
Mint & ACV Toner
2 parts water
1 part apple cider vinegar, ACV
¼ cup finely chopped mint, or 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil
To make any of these DIY anti-acne skin toners, simply mix the ingredients together and dab onto a cotton ball , being careful of the sensitive eye area.
Note: Some of these toners may sting broken skin, so wait until skin is fully healed before using.
Customize any of these DIY skin toner recipes to suit the needs of your skin type. The options are limitless! However, if you have sensitive skin it is recommended that you consult with your doctor, or dermatologist before adding anything new to your skin care regimen.
For more health and wellness tips, keep reading:
Why You Should Massage Your Face While Cleansing