SIMPLE LIVING // facial toner

I used to be a facial product junkie.

I’ve never struggled with bad skin problems or acne, but as a teenager, there were always the annoying pimples and red spots that seemed to show up when you least wanted them too. I’d go into the store and scour the shelves for a product that promised to make my skin as glowing and clear as the magazine pictures…only to realize a few weeks later that this product was just as lackluster as the last one I tried! My bathroom was stuffed with a thousand different half-empty bottles and useless products, and it was annoying.

A few years ago, I majorly simplified my skin care routine, and not only do I save a ton of money and bathroom storage space, but my skin has improved dramatically. Win!

Now the only things I use on my face is a gentle soap cleanser in the evening before bed, splashes of cold water in the morning, apple cider vinegar toner, and coconut oil as a moisturizer. In the few years I’ve used this routine, I can honestly say that my skin has never looked clearer or felt healthier! I also try to do some sort of facial mask once a week using either plain raw honey or a yogurt-honey combination. I notice huge differences in my skin when I do these masks, especially in the winter when the air is dry.

Toners are used for restoring the skins natural pH balance, which is disrupted from the use of soaps, cleansers, and even just normal tap water. A normal pH balance on an adult should be between four and six (with the scale ranging from one to fourteen), and most soaps and facial products will change the level to an eight or higher. The acid in a toner will help bring the level back down towards the normal and healthy range.

I use raw apple cider vinegar in my homemade toner, because it’s full of all kinds of a great things for your skin and body. The natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties of ACV is useful for cleansing and purifying, as well as helping to break up dead skin cells to keep those pores open and clear. The toner does smell mildly of vinegar, but I always add a small amount of lavender oil to help mask the smell.

I’ve also recently started adding witch hazel to my toner. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which helps tone and tighten facial skin by removing excess oils and shrinking down pores. I like to use it around my eyes (just don’t get it in them!) to help with puffiness and dark circles. NOTE: if you have dry skin, witch hazel is not recommended.

I keep my toner in a small apothecary bottle and simply pour a small amount out on a cotton pad or washcloth to use. You could easily store this in a small mason jar as well. Also, I like to use equal amounts of water and vinegar, but you will want to play around with the amounts to suit your own skin. If you feel your skin becoming too dry, scale back on the vinegar and/or witch hazel.

ACV Facial Toner

2 T. water
2 T. raw apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. witchhazel
a few drops of lavender oil

Combine in a jar and enjoy!

What about you: what is your facial skin care routine? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts!