The Healthiest DIY Face Toner Recipe

Too many face toners aren't actually what we expect them to be. Remove the harmful chemicals from your skincare routine by using this healthy DIY Face Toner Recipe instead. Your skin will thank you for it!

Why DIY Your Face Toner

Because many face toners are filled with unnecessary harmful chemicals that accumulate in your body and may cause negative health effects to your physical and mental health.

1. Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS): This is easily the most common toxin in personal care products. It is in nearly all shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, lotions, body wash, cleansers, makeup, hand soaps, dish soaps, and laundry detergents. SLS actually originates from coconut but in chemical form, there is absolutely nothing natural about it. The EWG Cosmetics Database as a “denaturant, surfactant cleansing agent, emulsifier and foamer.” It is also classified as a moderate hazard and has been linked to organ toxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, cellular changes, and possible cancers.

2. Parabens: This is one of the most commonly used preservatives in cosmetics, lotions, soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers (usually listed on the label). Parabens are known endocrine (hormone) disruptors that mimic estrogen. They are linked to estrogen-driven cancers, infertility, early puberty, and increased menstrual and menopause symptoms.

3. Phthalates: These are industrial chemicals that are used in solvents in many mainstream personal care products including cosmetics, hair spray, deodorant, nail polish, and perfumes. Known to disrupt the function of the kidneys, liver, and reproductive system. Phthalates aren’t often named on a product label… instead, they're often hidden as one of the chemicals under “fragrance.”

4. Petroleum: While often listed as mineral oil, it is really crude oil. Petroleum is used in many cosmetics, baby shampoo and lotions, lip balm, lipstick, and face creams. They clog your pores, disrupt your endocrine system (hormones), and build up toxins in your body because your skin can not properly detoxify it.

5. Diethanolamine (DEA): This is used because it gives products their lather. Often found in cleaning products, shampoos, body wash, and really, anything that lathers. It has been linked to many different types of cancers.

6. Fragrance: We think that when we read fragrance that it should be natural, right? But the word fragrance can be used to describe many dangerous chemicals that are far from anything natural (typically this entails 600+ chemicals). Fragrance is what makes your products smell “good,” and can also be listed as perfume or parfum. These are one of the top 5 toxins in the world and can damage muscles, memory, speech, hearing, and vision, in addition to being a very dangerous neurotoxin. Make sure that all of your products list where the smell comes from (natural essential oils are our favorite).

** PLEASE NOTE ** Don't be fooled by clever marketing. Not all essential oils are created equally. Make sure you're not wasting your money on fake or altered essential oils (even if they're labeled as “pure essential oil”). Don't miss our explosive report outlining the dirty little secrets of the essential oil industry to ensure you're not wasting your money on brands of oils that legally mislead you through deceitful marketing practices.

7. Heavy Metals: This is the cause of many “unknown” health problems. Heavy metals are still present in deodorant (aluminum) and many make-ups. Heavy metals are most commonly found in dark black pigments (eyeliners and mascara) and bright red and pink pigments (lipsticks and eye shadows). Often time lead is known as Kohl in makeup. And don’t think that heavy metals are only found in cheap makeup. They are found in some prestigious products. If you want to find out the toxicity of your personal care products, check out the Environmental Working Groups Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.

8. Dioxins: These are petrochemical solvents that do NOT have to be listed on the product label. They are produced during manufacturing. Dioxins were one of the first things I learned about in my natural journey. Did you know that dioxins are also in bleached products such as diapers and conventional tampons? They react with the chlorine in water and become even more carcinogenic. Dioxins are in antibacterial soap. We don’t have antibacterial soap in our home, but the soap is everywhere when you are out of the home. Almost all public soaps are antibacterial. We avoid those soaps by using our non-toxic hand sanitizer.

Do you want to know what toxins are lurking in your personal care products and see how they rank? Go to Skin Deep, the Cosmetic Database, and Find Out

After listing all of these chemicals in our personal care products you know the importance of knowing what’s in the products that you use on a daily basis.

There are some healthy and chemical-free products on the market for you to use. That’s if you don’t want to make your own products.

This DIY Natural Facial Toner is super easy, effective, and completely chemical-free. Plus, it doesn’t cost much money to make either, which is just an added bonus.

Benefits to DIYing your Face Toner

Aside from not using the harmful chemicals listed above, here are the skin benefits of the ingredients in this Healthy DIY Facial Toner:

Witch Hazel: A natural astringent that helps to reduce inflammation of the skin and decreases the production of oil. It’s great to use in this toner because it is very mild and gentle on your skin, and also helps to clean your face and tighten pores. Witch hazel has also been shown to decrease acne and blemishes!
Apple Cider Vinegar: On your skin, ACV helps to balance the pH of the skin and also helps hydration of the skin. It also helps blast blemishes while still being gentle on the skin.
Vegetable Glycerine: Assists in moisturizing your skin, and allows the essential oils to mix together into the toner.

Healthy DIY Face Toner Recipe

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Ingredients

1/4 cup witch hazel,
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar,
2 Tbs purified water or rose water – or make your own with this DIY rose water recipe,
1 tsp vegetable glycerin,
10 drops of frankincense essential oil or sandalwood essential oil
10 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of geranium essential oil (optional)

Directions

Using a small funnel, mix all ingredients in a 4-ounce glass dropper bottle or 4-ounce glass spray bottle
Spray on a cotton ball, cotton pad, or reusable facial sponge with facial toner and wipe over your entire face, avoiding your eyes

Don't Want To DIY? Here is a 100% Natural and Safe Alternative:

I absolutely LOVE this non-DIY ART Refreshing Facial Toner.

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol, Heptyl glucoside, Witch hazel, Glycerin, Peppermint essential oil, Sandalwood essential oil, Frankincense essential oil, Orchis mascula flower extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Green tea leaf extract, Lavander essential oil, Lemon peel oil, and Melissa essential oil.