This homemade toner recipe can help leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed, and balanced without drying it out. All you need are a few simple, clean ingredients and a few minutes of your day.

hand holding DIY face toner with essential oils with a towel and lavender in the background

Not going to lie, I have been a little toner obsessed lately. I just spray it onto my face throughout the day (as long as Iโ€™m not wearing makeup), and then follow with a serum. 

It makes my skin feel amazing and is seriously one of the easiest natural body care products to make. 

My typical skincare routine begins by washing with a cleanser or oil cleansing (I love using coconut oil for this). 

Sometimes I double cleanse: use a little oil to help remove makeup, and then follow up with a cleanser. It helps deep clean, while also leaving my skin moisturized.

Next, I use this DIY toner to remove excess dirt, oil and makeup. It also helps to restore the pH balance of your skin. 

Lastly, I follow up with a serum and moisturizer.

DIY Toner with essential oils in a frosted glass spray bottle on a blue and white stripped towel and dried lavender

Benefits of facial toners:

Toners can help tighten pores, reduce inflammation, and reduce environmental impurities on the skin. It can help to cleanse the skin while moisturizing, as well.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

women pouring rose water into a glass bottle to make toner

What can I use as a natural toner?

The three natural toners listed below should not be used undiluted on the skin due to their higher ph, which could cause irritation. 

Witch Hazel โ€“ an astringent that helps reduce inflammation, tighten pores, reduce redness, and clean skin.

Apple cider vinegar โ€“ ACV has been shown to help reduce bacteria growth, balance the ph of the skin, and reduce acne.

Lemon juice โ€“ helps balance the skinโ€™s pH, naturally contains vitamin C which may help reduce damage, reduce inflammation, and lighten skin. 

DIY face toner ingredients on a white countertop
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Toner Ingredients:

Essential oils (I like to do four drops of three different oils) โ€“ see list below for the best oils to use for your skin type and which ones I chose.

Vitamin E oil โ€“ helps regenerate skin and reduce the appearance of scars.

Rose water โ€“ I like to add in a bit of rose water, because it is amazing for hydrating the skin, balances the oils naturally found in the skin, tightens pores, and reduces inflammation. This is an optional ingredient and can be swapped out for distilled water. 

Witch hazel โ€“ a natural astringent that helps reduce inflammation, tighten pores, reduce redness, and cleanse skin.

Tips:

  • Store in the refrigerator for a refreshing and cool spritz to help wake up the skin.
  • This recipe can be completely customized for your skin type. Check out the essential oils combinations recommended below.
  • I highly recommend rose water in this DIY toner. If you donโ€™t want to use it, you can swap it out for distilled water.

Tools you may need:

2 oz fine mist spray bottle

Measuring spoons

women about to add essential oils into a glass jar to make toner

Print the label

Just click on the image to print the PDF!

Best Essential Oils For Toner:

  • Lavender โ€“ not only does lavender help you relax, but it is an amazing way to calm your skin. It may even help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
  • Frankincense โ€“ boasts anti-inflammatory properties and may help improve skin elasticity.
  • Cypress โ€“ offers anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and may help against acne.
  • Geranium โ€“ contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and can help reduce skin irritation, acne breakouts, and may reduce the signs of aging.
  • Tea tree โ€“ presents anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Perfect for more acne-prone skin.

These first 5 are my top choice for skin oils, but these other essential oils would also make great additions:

  • Myrrh
  • Cypress
  • Yarrow pom
  • Copaiba
  • Helichrysum
  • Cedarwood
  • Clary sage
  • Roman chamomile
  • Rose

Best Essential Oils Per Skin Type

DRY SKIN– frankincense, lavender, geranium
OILY SKIN– frankincense, lavender, tea tree
NORMAL SKIN– lavender, cypress, tea tree

hand holding homemade toner with dried lavender and a towel in the background

My Personal Homemade Facial Toner Recipe For Dry Skin

I have dry skin, so this is what I made:

4 drops each of frankincense, lavender, and geranium
10 drops vitamin e oil
2 teaspoons rose water
Witch hazel

homemade toner and homemade serum on a blue and white towel with lavender springs to the left

How To Make Homemade Toner

women wearing a blue and white apron making homemade face toner

In a 2-oz fine mist spray bottle, add essential oils, vitamin e, and rose water.

women wearing a tan cable knit sweater pouring witch hazel into a jar

Top it off with witch hazel, approximately three tablespoons.

How to use DIY Toner

Clean skin with your favorite cleanser.

Spritz toner onto face with a fine mist spray bottle, or place a small amount onto a cotton pad and rub onto face in a circular motion.

Allow to dry, then apply your favorite serum and/or moisturizer. 

Find More Natural Products

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars! 

DIY Toner With Essential Oils

4.50 from 42 votes
With just a few simple and natural ingredients, you can make this invigorating DIY face toner to help tighten pores and clean your skin.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 oz
DIY Toner with essential oils in a frosted glass spray bottle on a blue and white stripped towel and dried lavender
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Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
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Equipment

  • 2oz fine mist spray bottle
  • Measuring spoon
  • Liquid measuring cups

Ingredients 

  • 12 drops essential oil, I like to do 4 drops of three different oils
  • 10 drops vitamin e oil
  • 2 teaspoons rose water, optional I also like to add in a bit of rose water.
  • Top off with witch hazel – about 3 tablespoons

Instructions 

  • In a 4-oz fine mist spray bottle, add essential oils, vitamin e, and rose water.

    Top it off with witch hazel, approximately three tablespoons.

HOW TO USE DIY TONER

  • Clean skin with your favorite cleanser.
  • Spritz toner onto face with a fine mist spray bottle or place a small amount onto a cotton pad and rub onto face in a circular motion.
  • Allow to dry, then apply your favorite serum and/or moisturizer.

Notes

  • Store in the refrigerator for a refreshing and cool spritz to help wake up the skin.
  • Completely customize this recipe for your skin type by switching out the essential oils.
  • I highly recommend rose water in this DIY toner. If you donโ€™t want to use it, you can swap it out for distilled water.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.50 from 42 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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17 Comments

  1. Anonymous says:

    Hi Lisa,

    Do you use alcohol free or with alcohol witch hazel?
    Thank you!

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      Either one is fine!

  2. Pat says:

    You Didn’t say what oils you like to use. I see you said you had dry skin, and I also have dry skin and older.

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      I like frankincense!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Hello ๐Ÿ™‚ Does this have to stay in the fridge?

    1. Lisa Bass says:

      No, it doesn’t!

  4. Anne says:

    I’d also like to know which size bottle when you get a chance! I’ve ordered the rest of the “ingredients” and am eager to make it.

    1. Lisa says:

      It yields 2 oz, so anything that size or larger. Here is one on Amazon similar to what I used: https://amzn.to/3KZbd2b (this is an affiliate link)

  5. Lisa says:

    I cannot get the labels to print. The links appear broken.

    1. Lisa says:

      Sorry about that, I’ll work on getting that fixed. You can right click and save to downloads in the mean time.

  6. Anonymous says:

    The print a label links are broken

  7. Hรฉlรจne says:

    Related Item links are all broken

  8. Hรฉlรจne says:

    Is it a 2oz or a 4oz bottle? You have it both ways.
    Need to know as topping off is required

  9. Karen says:

    Hi Lisa
    Just a question about bottle size.
    In the tools section you say a 2oz bottle.
    In the instructions section you say a 4oz bottle.
    Which size bottle do I use.
    I love the ingredients in this toner and want to try it.

  10. Jen T says:

    Hi Lisa,
    Do you have any recommendations for essential oil brands?
    Thanks for sharing!
    Jen

    1. Jen T says:

      Never mind, I just saw that the section titles are links to recommended products!