I have sensitive skin. But I still need to use a toner (also called astringent) to exfoliate and tighten pores. Until recently, I had been using Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion for this. Have you ever looked at the ingredients label on your beauty products? This is the ingredients list for the Mild Clarifying Lotion, the mildest available:
Water, Butylene Glycol, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Cyclodextrin, Salicylic Acid, Millet Plant Glycoprotein Extract, Aloe, Arginine, Peg-10 Soya Sterol, Ceteth-20, Dimethicone, Ceteth-20, Kimethicone, Ceteth-2, Dimethicone Copolyol, Hexadecanol, Methylparaben, Green 5, Yellow 10
A couple of those ingredients aren’t so bad, but much more are known skin irritants, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, and even linked to cancer and tumor growth. Ummm…no thanks. How about a more natural approach that doesn’t contain ingredients you have to spend an hour googling to know if they are safe?
Reduce Dark Spots, fine lines and wrinkles with this Soothing Facial Toner. Apple Cider Vinegar, Lavender & Helichrysum Essesntial Oils combine to reduce dark spots & soothe red, irritated skin. That’s right, only THREE Ingredients, and you can pronounce them all too! Apple Cider Vinegar
If you have a question about the brand of essential oils I use, send me an inquiry here. Due to policy regulations, I am not allowed to tell you directly. I promise not to shower you with newsletters and sales gimmicks. I just don’t have time to be a multi-level marketing guru.
As usual, let’s gather our ingredients and tools first. The only thing not pictured below is a big jug of distilled water. I left it out because it doesn’t exactly make for interesting pictures.
Let’s talk a little about the quality of the vinegar you use. When making your own skin care products, you always want to use the best quality ingredients. It makes for a more effective final product, maximizing your efforts to treat your skin and body right. For that reason, I chose this Apple Cider Vinegar
Measure out your ACV. I used 1/3 cup vinegar to 2/3 cup water because it’s summer, but I’ll probably reduce that to 1/4 cup vinegar to 3/4 cup water come winter time. If your skin runs oily or acne prone, you can use as much as 1/2 cup each.
Pour the vinegar into a sterilized bottle like this: Glass airtight bottle
Fill almost to the top with distilled water, leaving just enough room for about 30 drops of essential oils. If you have a question about the brand of essential oils I use, send me an inquiry here. Due to policy regulations, I am not allowed to tell you directly.
I chose Lavender and Helichrysum Essential Oils (15 drops each). Lavender is pretty much a miracle fix-it-all for soothing and healing whenever skin is concerned. Helichrysum has the unique ability to help with dark spots, age spots, oily skin, wrinkles and eczema, all of which happen to be a concern for me. I told you I had sensitive skin, which is code for weird skin.
After you’ve added the essential oils, you’ll notice they just sort of float on top. This is your reminder to shake it up first before each use.
That’s it- you’re done! Easy right? Now you can take care of business while knowing you aren’t putting known irritants and cancer-contributing chemicals you paid triple the price for on your face. That’s what this blog is all about! Now just dab a little on an organic cotton pad and swipe over your face (neck and chest too) between your cleanser and moisturizer.
Ingredients
- Raw Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
- Distilled Water
- Essential Oils
- Glass airtight bottle
If you have a question about the brand of essential oils I use, send me an inquiry here. Due to policy regulations, I am not allowed to tell you directly.
Directions
- Measure and pour vinegar into bottle.
- Fill most of the way to top with distilled water.
- Add any combination of essential oils of choice. Need suggestions? Check out my chart.
- Shake and use daily!
Hello. If I’m allergic to apples (reaction when eaten) do you think the acv applied to my skin would be an issue? Thanks!
I have no idea. Please please please ask your doctor before trying.
Does this have to be kept in the refrigerator? I know that ACV with the mother normally does. Thank you!
You absolutely can (and it feels amazing when you do), but you don’t have to.
Hi there,
Just came across your blog and have since gone on a shopping spree… Thanks a lot!
Question – How much Helichrysum do you put into your 4 oz argan oil as a moisturizer?
Also, do you use a cleanser? Or just toner & moisturizer?
Hi Paisly! I use a cleanser from Blissoma called Fresh, which you can buy here: http://shrsl.com/?enyi
But I also make an oil cleanser using one of the recipes per skin type, found here: https://www.bloominginbedlam.com/oil-cleansing-method-skin-type/
I usually do about 30 drops Helichrysum for 4 oz of Argan oil. Make sure you subscribe (bottom of every post), because I’m going to be opening a shop on those oil cleansers after the new year and will be sending out a launch discount code to my subscribers. Thank you so much for reading! Feel free to ask any more questions! XoXo-Cajun
What oils do you suggest for extremely dry facial skin?
Also, my husband has psoriasis and I have tired lavender & cocoanut oil but it didn’t help. Any suggestions as he wants to get meds from Dr, which is bad.
Thank you in advance and have a wonderful day!
Hi Brenda, I can’t give you an essential oil recommendation on psoriasis due to FDA regulations (I’m so sorry). I would recommend he see a doctor because true psoriasis is usually an autoimmune related condition.
I can tell you what I use for very dry skin (not this toner). Look for my posts on the oil cleansing method and rosehip cypress wrinkle cream. I use those since I have very dry skin in the winter. Both are very moisturizing and nourishing. They will both also help with quicker cell turn over. Coconut oil is not very moisturizing, so it won’t hurt but it won’t help either. I hope all this helps. Thank you for reading.
Hi! Okay so for the dark spot one, would it be okay to add frankincense along with Lavender and helichrysum since it was on the chart for helping to fade dark spots?
It certainly couldn’t hurt ;)
I have really sensitive skin and fear the acv won’t set well with my skin. My acne is mostly hormonal and it’s mostly on my chin. It got worse when I was pregnant with my son. So now not only am I battling with my hormonal breakouts, but dark spots/scars. Would it be ok to use just distilled water or witch hazel? Also, would it be possible to apply helichrysum with my daily moisturizer? Thanks for your help in advance.
I have really sensitive skin and all of my breakouts are on my chin too! I actually find witch hazel to be too drying, but I love the acv. You can try whatever you like, but this is what works for me. I also put helichrysm in my moisturizer and use it all the time. Thanks for reading!
I don’t have the heliochrysym. Any other suggestions for an oil to replace it?
Nope. That’s the one that works. It’s expensive but SO worth it.
Hello! You said the heliochrysym oil is great for dark spots, oily skin, wrinkles. All of that sounds amazing except now that it’s winter my skin is more dry. I really want something to help with dark spots and wrinkles and I don’t have extremely dry skin but winter just dries everything out. Any suggestions?
Avocado, rosehip and pomegranate seed oil are all great bases for dryer skin.
I like the glass containers in your pics. Do you have any on-line recommendations? Your guidance on essential oils was very helpful…thank you for sharing.
Is it bad to store homemade cleaners, toners, etc. in plastic bottles?
Yes for the same reason is not a great idea to drink out of plastic bottles. Plastic breaks down over time and releases bpa’s and other chemicals into the cleansers and toners. Glass doesn’t do that.
Where do you get the dropper caps? I’ve not found any that fit my essential oil bottles well.
Aromatools.com, which is not an affiliate link. Thanks for reading!
Is using cotton bud to apply or just spray direct on face?
You can certainly do either. I typically just wipe my face with a cotton pad. Really, it’s whichever method you prefer.
In the recipe you mention 2/3 to 3/4 c. water, but then you say to fill to almost the top with water. Which is it since i don’t have a bottle exactly like yours? Thank you! I can’t wait to try this.
Whichever takes you almost to the top with the water, leaving room for the essential oils. Thanks for stopping by Kristi!
Can you use rose water instead of diluted water?
That’s a good question Laura. I’ve never tried it myself so I’m not sure that the vinegar’s strength wouldn’t counteract the rose water. The purpose of the purified water is to dilute the power of the vinegar. I hope you try it and come back to tell me how it worked. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
This is a great recipe!! I use witch hazel as a toner, but now I’m going to try ACV :) One thing that I love to do is put my toner in a spray bottle and just spritz it on! This saves cotton pads!
That’s a great idea if I’m in a hurry. I just love the extra exfoliation swiping offers. Lol. Thank you for visiting and for the tip too!
This sounds amazing! I especially love the benefits of ACV but have a major aversion to the smell. Do you find that the oils counteract the vinegar? Does it linger? I have awful eczema & everything you described above.
Also, just discovered your blog tonight & LOVE it! Thank you!
Thank you Emily! The smell of ACV isn’t quite as strong since you dilute it a lot with distilled water. I do smell it when I wipe it right by my nose, but it dissipates pretty much immediately. I even had my husband sniff me right after using it to make sure I hadn’t just gotten used to it. Thank you again for visiting and I hope you come back again often!
I LOVE my essential oils and I’m always looking for new recipes. I am pinning this one and will be back for more great ideas! Thank you.
Thank you Marie! I hope you subscribe but if you don’t do anything else, PLEASE try this toner. I have seen such amazing results that I wish I had taken before pictures. It’s phenomenal. Thanks for the pin and feel free to share.