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Looking for a simple apple cider vinegar toner? Here’s my tried and true recipe, plus benefits and my tips depending on your skin type!
In the past few years, I’ve seen radical improvements in my skin ever since I switched to natural products. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my clean beauty products and have many in my bathroom cabinet. But I also love incorporating natural products because they work and are way more affordable!
For example, I do an apple cider vinegar hair rinse regularly using raw apple cider vinegar, and I love my homemade aloe vera after sun lotion. When it comes to makeup, I only use safer cosmetic products. As a result, my skin has been clearer and brighter in my 30s that it was in my 20s!
Honestly, I wasn’t sold on putting apple cider vinegar on my face or hair in the beginning. While I use apple cider plenty in the kitchen, thinking of going to bed smelling like a salad wasn’t all that appealing. Plus, I didn’t think an apple cider vinegar toner could work as good as the store-bought stuff.
But, learning about the amount the number of harmful ingredients in makeup and skin care products, including endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, really took me by surprise. Once I became pregnant with my first kid, I really wanted to figure out how to reduce my overall exposure.
And the first place I started? This incredibly effective apple cider vinegar face toner. Apple cider vinegar has so many benefits for your skin, and making your own toner is a breeze!
Jump to:
What is a Face Toner?
A toner is simply a fast-penetrating liquid product that is applied after cleansing to help freshen and exfoliate skin. Toners are beneficial for skin because they help improve skin clarity, reduce pore size, and remove residual oil and impurities. This helps your skin absorb any serums or moisturizers you apply after your cleanser.
As history would have it, 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 great grandmothers!) were still making their own skin care products for toning and brightening skin from unprocessed milks, lemon juice, witch hazel, and even vinegar!
Why Your Skin Needs a Toner
Your skin has a very delicate acid mantle that normally has a pH of around 5, which is slightly acidic. 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 disease, infection, and even wrinkles long term. Toners, which are more acidic (a pH of around 3-4), help restore your skin to its natural pH.
As beauty products have developed and evolved, most cleansers are now less alkaline and tailored to specific skin types. As a result, there is much controversy about whether toners are necessary for use among professionals.
But here’s the deal: Because your skin’s delicate pH can be disrupted by many factors, including stress, diet, lack of exercise, and not drinking enough water, a simple, natural toner like this one can be incredibly beneficial for balancing the skin and removing residual impurities.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar 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 makes a great face toner because it balances the natural pH of the skin and breaks up the bonds between dead skin cells to keep skin pores open. It also can diminish sun and age spots, and improve acne and acne scars. It’s also great for freshening and removing excess oils and make up that may have been left behind after cleansing. Make sure to use a raw apple cider vinegar when making a toner to get all these glorious benefits.
Best of all? It’s super-duper affordable and contains no added conventional chemical craziness.
Convention toners are typically a chemical soup of alcohol and conventional astringents, fragrances, parabens, hydrogenated oils, and additives like “RED” this and “BLUE” that. These aren’t even close to being necessary for anyone to have clear, beautiful skin.
When to Use a Toner
Toners come after cleansing, but before serums and moisturizers. You can also use toners throughout the day to freshen skin post-workout or when you’ve been exposed to a bit more sweat and grime. Here’s an example of how to use this acv toner in a 4-step skin care routine:
- Cleanse: Use a skin specific cleanser. I like to use a charcoal bar post-workout and during the summer when my skin is more blemish-prone, and a cream based cleanser in the winter when my skin is more dry.
- Tone: Moisten a cotton pad or cotton ball and wipe this apple cider vinegar toner all along your neck and face. Avoid using it close to your eyes.
- Serum: Serums are not moisturizers, they are like multivitamins for your skin! I like to get in Vitamin C and safe anti-aging ingredients during this step.
- Moisturize: Use a day or night cream specific to your skin type and skin care goals.
How to Make Apple Cider Vinegar Face Toner
Making your own apple cider vinegar face toner couldn’t be easier. All you really need is apple cider vinegar and water. I’ve included some additional ingredients below you can incorporate depending on your skin type.
Ingredients:
- Raw apple cider vinegar
- Filtered water
Optional add-ins:
- 1 teaspoon hydrosol (I like rose or orange)
- 1 teaspoon witch hazel (optional for oily skin)
Customize your toner to your skin type:
- For sensitive skin: Mix 3/4 cup filtered water with 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- For normal/dry skin: Mix 2/3 cup filtered water with 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- For oily skin: Mix 1/2 cup filtered water with 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
ACV Toner Directions:
- Pour the apple cider vinegar into a glass jar.
- Add the filtered water.
- Add essential oils, a hydrosol, or witch hazel. Shake to combine. This toner is shelf stable and can be stored in your bathroom cabinet.
To apply ACV toner to skin:
Using a cotton pad, lightly rub the toner on your face and neck. Avoid using close to the eyes. You can also store this 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.
Recipe Notes
- When making this recipe, one “part” is any measurement you chose to use. So, if you’re following the sensitive skin ratio, you’ll mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons 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. Update July 2022: Because I got many questions about parts, I went ahead and re-wrote the recipe so you know exactly what measurements to use for your skin type! 1 recipe will make 8 oz of toner.
- 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.
- Adding witch hazel: Witch hazel is an astringent that has anti-inflammatory properties. It’s best to add this if you have oily skin. Use 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of toner.
My Tips
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 what’s 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 toner a try? Let me know what your special “blend” is and how it works for you!
Ele says
Thanks for sharing the tips. Never knew apple cider vinegar ha such benefits.
Shen says
Hello can I still apply moisturizer after using acv as a toner? Thank youuu
Noelle says
yes!
Andrea says
Would you still use moisturizer on your face, after the toner?
Noelle says
yes!
Kathryn says
Is it possible to make this into a solid? I love this toner and will be traveling full time with just a carry on and was wondering if it was possible to make it into a solid so I can travel with it in my carry on!
Noelle says
No
Reiko says
Hi Noelle! I had heard a bit about ACV as a toner and have listened to almost every episode of your and Stefani’s podcast, so when I found this post I knew I had to try it. I have pretty sensitive skin that seems to only have become more sensitive and acne prone in the past few years (I bought Stefani’s “Clear Skin Unlocked” and it’s helped me immensely, but I thin recent stressful life events have made my skin take a step backwards). I diluted the ACV 1:4 as instructed, did a spot test on my forehead, and after 24h, went for it. Well, it felt like mild burning! Not my forehead where I spot tested it, but my cheeks and my lips. It wasn’t exactly painful, in fact it felt the way that some face masks have made me feel in the past—hot and tingly. I dealt with it for about half an hour and then after some googling turned up quite a few stories of people who had diluted the vinegar and still got chemical burns. Not just irritated skin—scabbed, bleeding, and eventually scarred skin. I got nervous and washed my face with Cetaphil and cold water. My face is a little red and the “burning” has subsided. I did a little math and found that diluting a acid with a pH of 3 will only raise the pH to ~3.6, which is still much lower than 5. Is it possible to get a chemical burn from such a mild acid? Have you heard of any stories like this?
My current plan is to refrain from using the ACV toner for the next few days, then perhaps dilute it even more and spot test on my cheek. The benefits of it sound so great and I’d love to try it fully but I am scared! Am I being overly cautious and letting google horror stories get to me, or do you think that some people could have a dramatically bad reaction to this?
Thanks so much for all you do—I really love your work!
Noelle says
Personally, I have NEVER heard of a chemical burn from apple cider vinegar. I think the people who experience a burning sensation are likely doing some sort of other treatment to their skin (chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc.) that is contraindicated to certain topical treatments. Tingling is A-OK! Red, highly irritated skin and painful burning is not. I have been working a lot more in the skincare industry since joining Beautycounter, and there are a lot of treatments (like our Charcoal Mask or Overnight Resurfacing Peel) that causes the same tingling. When clients purchases these products, specifically, the Overnight Resurfacing Peel, I make sure they aren’t doing any sort of chemical peels or high-end treatments with their dermatologist. Don’t give the google horror stories space in your life. Do what works for you, and if you feel like something isn’t normal, do something else or talk with your dermatologist! 🙂
Monique says
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.
Renee says
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.
Noelle says
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.
Georggia says
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.
Noelle says
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.
Jen says
Can we apply Apple cider vinegar without any mixture directly on face? Do we have to wash it?
Noelle says
I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re asking.
Bena Copite says
Is it okay to use soap based cleanser and coconut oil cleanser at the same time?
Noelle says
I wouldn’t. That would be washing your face twice?
Britt Harris says
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!
bhie says
hi
can I use facial mask after use acv as a toner?
Noelle says
I would recommend cleansing, using the mask, then using the toner + moisturizer.
StudioCitySalon says
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. 🙂
Alexa says
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.
Noelle says
Use whatever moisturizer works for you!
Hazel says
can you mix ACV with castor oil? Before putting the acv mixture, can i still use eskinol facial cleanser?
Noelle says
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!
Stephanie says
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?
Noelle says
I wouldn’t do it when you have makeup on, no. You want to apply it directly to skin.
Nishtha says
Hello. What do you mean by “one part” ACV with “4 parts” water? Part as in? How many tbsps?
Noelle says
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.
Kae says
This js my forst time trying this. I heard it works with dark spots as well, is this true ?!
Noelle says
It won’t do anything to change the color of your skin.
Kristen says
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!
Noelle says
Thanks for sharing! Love hearing about others good experiences 🙂
Femi says
Hi Noelle,
Will it be okay to apply acv at night and keep it overnight?
Noelle says
Keep it where?