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In the past few years, I’ve seen radical improvements in my skin ever since I switched to natural skin care. My routine is now painfully simple. At night, I clean my face with coconut oil and apply this apple cider vinegar facial toner (using raw apple cider vinegar). During the day, I only use safer cosmetic products (which are the bomb) for makeup. And that’s it.
To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sold on natural skincare (or putting apple cider vinegar on my face) in the beginning. For years, I was practically married to my four step cleansing process I thought I had to do to get clear, beautiful skin. How could you expect to treat acne and pimples without exfoliating, cleansing, toning, and moisturizing with the most expensive products? Clearly, an apple cider vinegar toner wasn’t as sophisticated as my expensive store-bought one.
Then, it hit me. Why would adding more synthetic (and expensive!) chemicals to my skin somehow be better for me?
If like me, you’ve seen huge improvements in how you feel when you eat less processed foods and more whole foods without additives, you’ve probably already started to wonder about the concoctions you put on your face, skin, and hair.
To help you navigate natural skin care, here’s why apple cider vinegar can be great for your skin, and how to make your own DIY apple cider vinegar facial toner.
Toners
The act of cleansing, toning and moisturizing dates back thousands of years. Evidence shows ancient cultures utilized avocado, palm oil, olive oils, and spices for moisturizing, animal fats and salts for cleansing, and botanical waters and natural astringents for “freshening” the skin.
In fact, in the early 1900s, women (our great grandmothers!) were still making their own skin care products for toning and brightening skin from unprocessed milks, lemon juice, witch hazel, and vinegar.
Are toners a must?
Toners were originally introduced as a way to restore the skins natural pH after using conventional cleanser products, which became popular in the 1930s.
The skin has a very delicate acid mantle that normally has a pH of around 5. Soap-based cleansers are typically more alkaline (have a pH above 7), which can disrupt the acid mantle on the skin. When the acid mantle is disrupted, it promotes abnormal bacteria growth, and our skin becomes more susceptible to diseases, infections, and even wrinkles long-term. Toners, which are more acidic (a pH of around 3-4), restore the skin to its natural pH.
As beauty products have developed and evolved, most cleansers are now less alkaline and tailored to specific “types” of skin. As a result, there is much controversy about whether toners are necessary for use among professionals. Claims of conventional toners to “tighten” and “soothe and soften” skin can be far-fetched and inaccurate.
Here’s the low-down. Convention toners are typically a chemical soup of alcohol and conventional astringents, fragrances, parabens, hydrogenated oils (seriously?), and additives like “RED” this and “BLUE” that. These aren’t even close to being necessary for anyone to have clear, beautiful skin.
Because our skin’s delicate pH can be disrupted by many factors including stress, our diet, lack of exercise, and not drinking enough water, a simple, natural toner like this DIY apple cider vinegar facial toner, can be very beneficial for balancing the skin.
Why use an apple cider vinegar facial toner?
Raw apple cider vinegar is simply the by-product of the fermentation of apples. Apples are loaded with potassium, pectin, malic acid and calcium, and fermentation fortifies it with even more beneficial acids and enzymes. While it may seem weird to put apple cider vinegar on your face, it’s antiseptic and antibacterial, which is an added bonus when dealing with skin infections and conditions like acne and eczema.
Apple cider vinegar facial toner made from raw apple cider vinegar balances the natural pH of the skin, and breaks up the bonds between dead skin cells (exfoliating) to keep skin pores open. It also can lighten sun and age spots, and can improve acne and acne scars. And lastly, it’s great for freshening and removing excess oils and make up that may have been left behind after performing natural techniques like the oil cleansing method for cleansing skin.
Best of all? It’s super-duper affordable and contains no added conventional chemical craziness. Now that’s what’s up.
DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toner
Ingredients:
Raw apple cider vinegar
Filtered water
Optional:
Brewed herbal tea
Hydrosols (Like rose or orange)
Essential oils (Like lavender or tea tree)
Ratios:
For sensitive skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 4 parts water
For normal/dry skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 2 parts water
For oily skin: Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with 1 part water
Note: One “part” is any measurement you chose to use. So, if you’re following the sensitive skin ratio, you’ll mix 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar with 4 tbsp water. I typically follow the oily skin ratio, and make 16 oz total. This means, I use 1 cup filtered water, and 1 cup apple cider vinegar.
Using brewed tea: Brew your favorite organic herbal tea like green tea and use it in place of filtered water. If you do this, you will need to store your toner in the refrigerator.
Adding hydrosols: Hydrosols are gentle “flower waters” that have nourishing properties. They are made during the process of making essential oils. During distillation, the essential oil is separated from the water, which leaves behind a nourishing, herbal water with small traces of essential oils. To add a hydrosol to your toner, use 1 tsp per 8 oz of toner. This will not be in place of your filtered water, rather as an addition.
Adding essential oils: Essential oils are natural oils obtained through distillation which have the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted from. Adding essential oils increases the nourishing properties of your toner depending on which one you use. I recommend using tea tree oil for additional anti-inflammatory benefits, or lavender oil for a more aromatic, soothing experience. Use 2-3 drops per 8 oz of toner.
Directions:
Mix the ingredients together and store in a glass or plastic container. This toner is shelf stable and does not need to be put in the fridge.
To apply: Using a cotton square, lightly rub the toner on your face and neck. You can also store this apple cider vinegar toner in a spray bottle and spray a light mist directly on your skin to freshen your skin throughout the day. Do not rinse it off after use. You can apply this multiple times a day to freshen skin. As a reminder, this should come AFTER you clean your face.
IMPORTANT: No matter what your skin type is, do a patch test on your skin to see how your skin responds. I also recommend using the sensitive skin ratio first before increasing the amount of apple cider vinegar you use. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the ratio to figure out whats best for you skin. Overtime, if you feel the solution seems to be too weak, slowly increase the ratio of apple cider vinegar to water. Do not increase more than a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar to water.
If you’re looking to improve your hair and scalp, check out how to make an apple cider vinegar hair rinse.
Will you be giving this apple cider vinegar facial toner a try? Let me know what your special “blend” is and how it works for you!
Live empowered,
I just made my first two versions of the toner. One for my face and one for my acned, hyperpigmented back. I’m darker skinned. I found by accident that my back acne may have been a result of a lack of Vitamin D (I also have cavity prone teeth). Born in the Southern hemisphere but immigrated as a child to the Northern hemisphere and my vitamin D intake apparently suffered alot. I started supplementing with high dose Vitamin D for my teeth earlier this year which had the side effect of completely resolving my back acne breakouts. I’m now mostly dealing with hyperpigmentation spots left from acne and much much less acne. Anyway, after all that explanation, for my face, I did a mix of 1 to 2 ACV and distilled water, plus Vitamin C (as ascorbic acid powder). For my back, I made the same mix and also added a couple drops of tea tree oil.
I may next time replace the straight distilled water with Rooibos tea. I have used a Rooibos toner from South Africa before and Ioved the soft brightening effect on my complexion it gave. Will first have to see how this first batch goes.
Have you found that this makes your skin quite red at all? I’ve been using 1 part acv 1 part water for a little over a week now both morning and night after cleansing. I find my skin goes red afterwards but it’s also working really well and my skin is looking amazing. Is this normal or should I be diluting it more ? I’d say my skin is sensitive as well.
Definitely use the ratio given for sensitive skin if you have sensitive skin! I do not, and use 1 part water to 1 part acv and never have any redness.
hey I’ve been using on my under eyes, i did try diluting it with water first but found it annoying as it would make it so watery and would drip down my face. it doesnt sting my face or anything if i use it undiluted so thats what I’ve been doing. my apple cider vinegar is raw but it does have manuka honey in so maybe thats why? is it damaging to use it undiluted or is it just so it doesnt sting.
I don’t recommend using raw apple cider vinegar on your skin without diluting it. This toner should have a water-like consistency, and you can apply with a cotton ball.
Can we apply Apple cider vinegar without any mixture directly on face? Do we have to wash it?
I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re asking.
Is it okay to use soap based cleanser and coconut oil cleanser at the same time?
I wouldn’t. That would be washing your face twice?
I’ve been struggling for years with adult acne and have been on the hunt for solutions. I was told about apple cider vinegar from a friend, but could never find a good “recipe”. I’m going to try this for 30 days and I’ll report back. If it works, you’re a true godsend!
hi
can I use facial mask after use acv as a toner?
I would recommend cleansing, using the mask, then using the toner + moisturizer.
Nice Blog, provides great ideas about how to take care of your beauty. Toners are a must before using cleansers to remove dirt, makeup and to maintain the pH level of skin. Thank you for sharing this article. 🙂
Hi! This is the first time I’m going to use acv toner and I would like to know if it’s ok to use alovera soothing gel as a moisturizer, or do you prefer vco. Thanks.
Use whatever moisturizer works for you!
can you mix ACV with castor oil? Before putting the acv mixture, can i still use eskinol facial cleanser?
I’m sure you can mix it—however I wouldn’t recommend deviating from the recipe if you’d like it to be a toner. Yes—cleanse before toning!
I read use this after washing face but also have read you can use it several times a day. What if you wear makeup, would it be ok to spritz on the face with makeup?
I wouldn’t do it when you have makeup on, no. You want to apply it directly to skin.
Hello. What do you mean by “one part” ACV with “4 parts” water? Part as in? How many tbsps?
As described above in the post: Note: One “part” is any measurement you chose to use. So, if you’re following the sensitive skin ratio, you’ll mix 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar with 4 tbsp water. I typically follow the oily skin ratio, and make 16 oz total. This means, I use 1 cup filtered water, and 1 cup apple cider vinegar.
This js my forst time trying this. I heard it works with dark spots as well, is this true ?!
It won’t do anything to change the color of your skin.
I literally just discovered your blog this week because I ran out of the rather expensive toner I had been using and was searching for a good DIY one to make in its place. I found this through Google and loved the simplicity. I made the version for sensitive skin, added in about 1 tsp of Cortas rose water, 1 drop tea tree and 3 drops lavender essential oils. I just made it today so I don’t know yet how it works for me, but I can’t wait to see! Thanks for sharing your awesome recipe and website!
Thanks for sharing! Love hearing about others good experiences 🙂
Hi Noelle,
Will it be okay to apply acv at night and keep it overnight?
Keep it where?
Hey Noelle,
Wondering if I am able to dilute white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar and do I wash it off the next morning?
Hi Annabelle! No, you need to use apple cider vinegar. Please follow instructions above! No need to rinse.
Hi dear Noelle
I have ance scars and pores.
I have bought apple cider yesterday so it is a first day I have used for so how long will I see the result.
If you can share with your email is it best in order to guide me.
Hi Noelle,
After doing couple research, I found your blog. Thank you for your time. I am 28 now, till last year I did not have a single pimple on my face. But from December I see acne on my cheeks. After using acv it got reduced. But once in a while I see a large pimple on my cheeks. Does acv also reduce the acne spots? And coming to coconut oil cleansing. Could you please tell me how to use coconut oil as a cleanser.
It does not reduce acne scarring or spots. Something like a safe Overnight Resurfacing Peel will help that. Check out my other post How to Clean Your Face With Coconut Oil.
Hey I have extremely bad cystic acne and scarring everywhere. How long did it take for you to see results from using acv?
Truthfully, I don’t think this is going to be the solution to cystic acne, and it won’t do anything for scarring. Read my post about Hormonal Acne: The Root Cause and How to Treat it Naturally, and email me directly if you want specific help for scarring treatments.
Hey , I put a lil more Apple cider vinegar than water is that fine?
First thank you so much for your recipe.. i currently don’t use a toner i will definitely give it a try but before i do i want to make sure i am doing it right . I currently use serum then collagen And final my moisturizer. when do i use the toner?
A toner is the “prep” step. It always goes right after cleansing!
I am loving the natural DIY beauty recipes, especially when they are budget friendly! I have been using this toner for almost a year now and noticed positive results, but my husband doesn’t like the smell. Is there another recipe, maybe without the vinegar, that would have similar results?
Hey Chelsea! I love Primally Pure’s Everything Spray.
Can I use Olive oil instead of lavender oil
No, if you don’t have one of the essential oils, just leave it out since it’s optional.
Will this work for blackheads and acne scarring?
I recommend something with more active ingredients for that, like this charcoal mask, and this safe overnight resurfacing peel for scarring.
Thanks for the valuable information. Some of them were unknown. Keep your article flooded with such true information
Hi! What about any tips for the smell?? I don’t know if I can’t get past it! 🙁 I love the idea of such a natural skin care product that can help improve my complexion and tone, but help with the smell?? I tried adding essential oils but even a while after applying I still can only smell the vinegar smell. Is rose water a similar way to tone?
Hey Kayla! Try this Primally Pure Everything Spray toner. It’s a beautiful formulation made with ACV and natural ingredients, and doesn’t smell. I use it now every day.
Hey noelle,
Can i use my preferrable serum after acv toner??
Yes! Order goes cleanser, toner, serum, and moisturizer!